2021 Chevrolet Malibu review
Chevrolet Malibu highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Spacious interior with ample front-seat headroom
- Hybrid trim offers high fuel efficiency and brisk acceleration
- Easy-to-use touchscreen interface
Cons
- Lackluster acceleration from base 1.5-liter engine
- Limited outward visibility
- Interior looks dated compared to rivals
Mileage (EPA estimate)
22 city, 32 highway, 26 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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2021 Chevrolet Malibu remains an appealing SUV alternative
With its roomy and quiet cabin, comfortable ride and surprisingly good handling, the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is a likable enough midsize sedan. But today, “likable enough” isn’t a sustainable strategy for competing against offerings from Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia. Those brands continue to innovate with features, technology and quality, while Chevrolet continues tweaking at the margins of its lone sedan. The Chevy Malibu is still an appealing choice if you like the idea of a roomy, American alternative to an SUV. Otherwise, the Malibu’s rivals have increasingly left it behind in terms of standard and available features.
For 2021, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ come standard, and a new safety feature called Buckle to Drive prevents the car from being driven until the driver’s seat belt is fastened. A new Sport Edition includes blacked-out exterior trim. The 2021 Malibu doesn’t offer standard driver assistance features, such as blind-spot monitoring or lane departure warning, which are now common features that most competitors offer in some standard bundles. It’s an unfortunate oversight for a modern family sedan.
All Chevrolet Malibu years
2021 Chevrolet Malibu trims
L:
- 160-hp, 184-lb-ft of torque 1.5L
- Rear View Camera
- Power Mirrors
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Cloth Seats
- Smart Key
- Cruise Control
- Traction Control
LS:
- Includes all features available on the L
- No significant upgrades found on the LS
LT:
- Includes all features available on the LS
- Front Seat Heaters
- Power Seats
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- View our Chevrolet Malibu LT inventory
RS:
- Includes all features available on the LT
- Rear Spoiler
- View our Chevrolet Malibu RS inventory
Premier:
- Includes all features available on the RS
- 250-hp, 260-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Memory Seats
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Leather Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- A/C Seats
- Sunroofs
- BOSE Sound System
- View our Chevrolet Malibu Premier inventory
Chevrolet Malibu photos
5 reasons to buy the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
What We Like
Driving: We hesitate to recommend the Malibu’s most expensive trim level, the Premier, but it’s the only way to get the 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This engine helps the Malibu zip from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds and it’s a perfect foil for the Malibu’s surprisingly athletic ability. It also returns an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined.
Interior: The 2021 Malibu’s interior design shows its age alongside fresher competitors, but it’s still a comfortable cabin with classy touches and materials. The symmetrical dash and wide center console enhance the cabin's spacious feel, while buttons and controls are arranged in logical and ergonomic fashion.
Comfort: The Malibu uses ample sound insulation to reduce outside noise and keep it from filling the cabin with a dull roar. Anyone will appreciate the effect during a hectic commute or long journey over varying road surfaces. It’s a subtle quality that, when combined with the Malibu’s wide and supportive front seats and roomy backseat, makes for a pleasant drive anytime.
What Needs Improvement
Transmissions: The Malibu’s two different transmissions are disappointing. The uninspired continuously variable transmission (CVT) that pairs with the 1.5-liter base engine lacks refinement, and while it’s good for extra mpg, it’s prone to the unnatural and noisy feel common with inferior CVTs. And while we still like the 2.0-liter turbo engine, its nine-speed transmission is also awkward, hampered by software programming aimed at maximum fuel economy.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Chevrolet Malibu an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Chevrolet Malibu 10th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet Malibu features and specs
L 2WD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Automatic Transmission
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.5L
Horsepower
160
Torque (ft-lbs)
184
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
15.8
Wheelbase
111.4"
Overall length
194.2"
Width
73"
Height
57.9"
Leg room
F 41.5"/R 38.1"
Head room
F 39.1"/R 37.5"
Front tires
P205/65R16
Rear tires
P205/65R16
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2021 Chevrolet Malibu FAQ
The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- L: 29 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- LS: 29 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- RS: 29 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- LT: 29 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- Premier: 22 MPG City and 32 MPG Highway
The Chevrolet Malibu received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Chevrolet Malibu as 9 out of 28 among Midsize Car
The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu has received an average 4.7 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2021 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews.
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