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Chevrolet says it will price the 2013 Malibu Eco with General Motors' eAssist hybrid system at $25,995, including destination, when it hits showrooms early next year.
In an unusual move, the Eco model will be the only version available at launch. It will be equipped similarly to the mid-level models that Chevy usually calls LT.
A purely gasoline power model of the new Malibu won't hit the market until the second half of the year. Until then, Chevy will continue selling the 2012 gas-engine models. Chevy won't say yet what the prices will be on the gas-only 2013 models, but some will be priced lower than the Malibu Eco eAssist.
The time lag between the eAssist model and the gasoline versions is because the new, 2.5-liter gasoline engine wasn't ready in time for the early 2012 launch. It was pulled ahead, per General Motors CEO Dan Akerson's "do it yesterday" theme.
The 2.5-liter gas engine will be rated about 190 horsepower. GM hasn't forecast its mpg rating.
The gasoline engine in the Eco is the 2.4-liter GM Ecotech, also used in other GM models, such as the Buick Verano. In the Malibu Eco, it will be rated 182 hp, 172 pounds-feet of torque.
The Eco's eAssist, also used on the Buick Lacrosse, is "light electrification," Chevy says. It uses the car's big electric motor/generator to momentarily move the vehicle away from a dead stop, or help on hills or when passing. The electric assist is combined with idle shutoff at long stops, and fuel cutoff on deceleration to help the Malibu Eco hit a forecast rating of 26 miles per gallon in town, 38 on the highway. That will give it a combined city/highway rating -- probably the closest to real-life results for most people most of the time -- of about 31 mpg.
That's good for a midsize family car. But analysts at research and shopping site Edmunds.com note that the combined city/highway rating falls below that of other alternative-propulsion models in the same price range, so Chevy should be careful about advertising the Malibu Eco as a true rival to those.
Edmunds.com cites these:
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid – $26,660 / 41 mpg combined city/highway
2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid – $29,395 / 39 mpg
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – $26,545 / 37 mpg
2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Diesel (with automatic) – $27,895 / 36 mpg
Some details about the 2013 Malibu:
It'll be bigger than the current Malibu. Wheelbase is unchanged, length is about the same, but the new car's 2.7 inches wider, Chevy says, resulting in nearly 4 cubic feet more passenger space.
The eAssist system's battery pack swipes 2 cu. ft. from the trunk, reducing it to 14.3 cu. ft.
The car will feature what Chevy calls MyLink, allowing applications stored on the driver's iPhone or other "smart" device to be used in the car. Not all will be allowed; those judged a distraction to the driver will be blocked. "MyLink turns your car into a mobile device," Chevy says. (Buick offers the same system, but calls it IntelliLink. Rival Toyota has a similar system called Entune.)
When Chevrolet last redesigned the Malibu, for 2013, the result seemed steeped in indifference—especially compared with the increasingly inventive competition such as the stylish Hyundai Sonata and the Ford Fusion. The Chevy was bland, and worse still, its back seat was more cramped than the preceding model’s. Chevrolet immediately whipped up a slightly improved Malibu the very next year, but it couldn’t fix the itty-bitty back seat—or the car’s basic meh-ness. Now, just 3 short years later, the Malibu is all-new again, and this time, it sports a fresh look, fresh underpinnings, and fresh engines.
This is 1 Hot AARP Cardholder
It could be argued that the Malibu’s longevity—this is the ninth generation since the nameplate first appeared in 1964—has everything to do with its inoffensive nature. That’s great for middle America and rental fleets, but today’s mid-size sedan party requires a different sort of costume. Right on cue, the Malibu has inherited a body so stylish, so crisp, that not only will the previous model’s visual Novocain be dissipated, but the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, and even the newly sassy Toyota Camry should actually be concerned.
The designers appear to have gotten the memo that the most recent Impala is good-looking, as there is a lot of that car’s styling baked into the 2016 Malibu. Starting with its proportions, the Malibu adopts a “4-door coupe”-ish swept roofline à la Ford Fusion and mixes it well with a long hood and clipped overhangs. The Malibu’s face is sleek, although from some angles, the severe horizontality of the headlights’ top edge lends the mug a droopy appearance. Overall, though, the crisp lines, body-side creases, and neat stance almost left us forgetting the old Malibu’s Play-Doh-squeezed-through-sadness look.
It’s no accident that the Malibu looks longer and lower than the old car—Chevrolet stretched the wheelbase by 3.6 inches, resulting in a nominal 2.3-inch bump in overall length. Width remains the same as before at 73.0 inches, but the hood and cowl are lower, giving the impression of added girth. The size increase really pays off inside, where there’s 1.3 additional inches of rear-seat legroom back-seat passengers no longer need to fold themselves to enter and exit. While the sexy roofline cuts into rear-seat headroom somewhat—the headliner is scooped out to make space for occupants’ noggins on models with the sunroof—legroom is wholly acceptable. Refreshingly, Chevy toned down the Malibu’s interior just enough to banish the old version’s cornucopia of materials and textures, but not so much as to leave the cabin dull and barren. It’s a nice place to occupy, no more, no less.
Underneath the Malibu sits GM’s all-new E2XX front-drive architecture (the outgoing Malibu used the shorter-wheelbase version of the aging Epsilon II platform), a change that results not only in better looks and interior room, but less weight, too. Chevy claims that the 2016 Malibu is more than 300 pounds lighter than before, with a third of that weight savings having come out of the car’s structure. If that weight reduction holds true when we confirm it with our own scales, that would put the new Malibu in the 3200–3300-pound range, which is on the light side of the mid-size class.
Double the Turbo, Double the Fun
If the Malibu’s 300-pound weight reduction sounds good in a vacuum, it’ll sound even better when paired with either of the sedan’s 2 available gasoline engines. (The hybrid model returns, too—get the full details here.) Last year’s base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder is supplanted by a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4 from GM’s new Ecotec small-engine family. Mated exclusively to a 6-speed automatic, the engine comes with auto stop-start, direct fuel injection, and a turbo running a maximum 17 psi of boost. Output stands at 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, which is down 36 horses and 2 lb-ft relative to the previous car’s 2.5-liter 4—but real-world performance shouldn’t suffer too much thanks to the Malibu’s diet. Fuel economy, predictably, is up—GM estimates 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, increases of 2 and 1 mpg.
The Malibu’s optional engine is largely carryover: It’s the same 2.0-liter turbocharged 4 offered on last year’s car, but it has been re-tuned slightly. Just as the 1.5-liter Ecotec is less endowed than the engine it replaces, the 2.0-liter sees some of its might clipped for 2016. The turbo makes 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft—decent figures that also happen to be 9 horsepower and 37 lb-ft weaker than the outgoing Malibu’s 2.0-liter turbo. Again, the new car’s weight savings should help it keep parity, as should the 2.0-liter’s only transmission, a new 8-speed automatic. It is derived from GM’s 8L90 (seen previously in the Corvette, the Silverado/Sierra, and the big SUVs), albeit turned sideways and adapted for transverse, front-drive applications. We’re told the transmission in this form doesn’t have provisions for hooking up to a transfer case, meaning the Malibu will be strictly front-drive. The Malibu’s lead engineer assures us that this was no accident: No all-wheel drive means the design team didn’t need to beef up the car’s rear end for aft drive components, saving more weight.
Chevrolet people insist that driving enjoyment was a goal for the latest Malibu, something we’re taking with a grain of salt given the old model’s utter lack of passion in such matters. Efforts to imbue the ’Bu with some spice include a dual-motor electric-power-steering setup, which is said to offer greater precision, as well as swapping some of the suspension’s steel pieces for aluminum ones. Oh, and of course there’s the weight loss; reducing weight typically enhances a vehicle’s dynamics.
Never Fear, Safety-Bu is Here
Of greater importance to mid-size sedan buyers than horsepower figures and suspension tuning is the 2016 Malibu’s roster of safety features. Pedestrian detection with automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning with automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, automatic parking, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control are all available. 10 airbags are standard, too, and Chevy is offering a new PIN-protected Teen Driver feature that allows parents to monitor their kids’ driving and set speed-limit warnings, reduce the maximum sound-system volume level, and more, if you’re into that sort of thing.
The system’s various functions are accessible via a new optional 8-inch MyLink infotainment touch screen. With the bigger screen—a 7-incher is available on lower trims—you get navigation, as well as a slightly updated version of MyLink with a faster processor. We sampled this system briefly in a preproduction Malibu, and the new menu structure seems intuitive (it’s the same in the 7-inch setup but without the quicker brain), while inputs are dispatched quickly and without fuss. To our utter disbelief, we were informed that the new MyLink’s basic underpinnings were pilfered from Cadillac’s maligned CUE infotainment system, proving that you really can polish a . . . you get it.
Pricing for the Malibu has yet to be released, but buyers will be offered 4 trim levels: L, LS, LT, and a new “Premier” spec that replaces the now-defunct LTZ. Every Malibu will come with GM’s 4G LTE data connection with a wireless hotspot and 3 months of free data. The LS comes standard with a backup camera, active grille shutters, and the smaller of the 2 MyLink touch screens; the LT adds LED running lights; and the Premier gets LED taillights, 2 rear-seat USB ports and a 110-volt power outlet, a wireless phone charger (integrated nicely in the form of a center-console charging “slot” that you simply drop your phone into), leather seats, ventilated seats, and the 8-inch MyLink setup.
When it goes on sale in the 4th quarter of this year, the 2016 Malibu should set Chevrolet back on course in the mid-size race. Final judgment, however, will need to wait until we drive the new sedan. Only then will we know how much the competition should have to fear from Chevy.
Next-Gen Chevrolet Malibu Starts at $22,500
Lower than Camry, Accord, Fusion and Altima
2015-09-10
DETROIT – The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, the most fuel-efficient, connected and technologically advanced version in the nameplate's history – will be available with a starting suggested retail price of $22,500 for the L model.
"We've continued our focus on delivering on the highest levels of quality, as evidenced by recent recognitions from J.D. Power on initial quality and long-term dependability," said Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet cars and crossovers. "The 2016 Malibu is engineered and priced to give customers impressive value and technology that's hard to compete with."
For 2016, Malibu will be offered in five models, L, LS, LT, Hybrid and Premier. Standard equipment includes 10 airbags, cruise control, push-button start with passive entry and fuel-saving stop/start technology on the base 1.5L 4-cylinder engine.
The LS model, starting at $23,995, includes standard Chevrolet MyLink Radio with 7-inch diagonal color touch screen, available compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a rear vision camera. CarPlay and Android Auto are subject to Apple and Google privacy statements and require compatible smartphone and data plans.
The starting price for the LT model is $25,895 and is projected to offer a General Motors-estimated 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, when equipped with the Ecotec 1.5L turbo engine with stop/start. Official EPA estimates are not yet available. The LT model adds LED daytime running lamps and 8-way power driving seats.
A 2.0L turbo with an 8-speed transmission is available in the LT and Premier models as well, starting at $29,495 and $31,795 respectively. Malibu 2.0T models offer a GM-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway. Official EPA estimates are not yet available.
The 2016 Malibu adds several new-to-Malibu safety technologies including Lane Keep Assist, Front Pedestrian Braking and Low Speed Front Automatic Braking. Teen Driver – available on LT and standard on Premier trims – helps support safe driving habits by muting the audio or any device paired with the vehicle when front-seat occupants aren't wearing their seat belts. It is also the first in-vehicle system in the industry that lets parents view information on how their teenagers drove the vehicle, which can be a teaching tool to reinforce safe driving habits.
Longer and lighter, the new Malibu offers more rear interior space than the current model. Its wheelbase has been stretched nearly four inches, and it is nearly 300 pounds lighter than the previous model, to assist with handling and fuel economy.
The 2016 Malibu reaches an exceptional level of fuel efficiency with an all-new, available hybrid powertrain that uses technology from the Chevrolet Volt. It helps offer a GM-estimated 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway – and 47 mpg combined, which is unsurpassed in the segment. Official EPA estimates are not yet available.
Pricing for the Malibu Hybrid will be announced closer to its start of production in spring 2016.
The 2016 Malibu is built at the GM Fairfax Assembly facility, in Kansas City, Kan. from globally sourced parts.
Updated styling across the lineup - led by the first-ever RS trim - introduces additional choices to the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu and improves its presence.
"We see an exciting opportunity with the 2019 Malibu to give customers new, distinctive choices, exemplified by Malibu RS," said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet marketing director for Cars and Crossovers. "It offers athletic design and amazing features at an attractive price point starting between Malibu LS and LT trims."
The first-ever Chevrolet Malibu RS offers a sporty, personalized appearance starting at around $25,000, driven by styling cues that include 18-inch machined wheels, black sport grille, black bowtie emblems, a rear spoiler and a dual-outlet exhaust. Inside, Malibu RS features a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, black cloth seats and a standard 8-inch diagonal color touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment system.
Offered on five 2019 models, the RS trim is a Chevrolet success story that gives customers distinctive choice, strong value and performance-driven design.
The new, standard 8-inch diagonal touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system and new CVT transmission mated to the standard 1.5L Turbo engine further refine the 2019 Malibu line. The Premier trim retains its 2.0L Turbo paired to a nine-speed automatic.
Performance-inspired design
The Chevrolet Malibu's front fascia, grilles and headlamps are all-new. The headlamps are integrated with the upper grille and the larger, bolder lower grille, giving the car a more powerful presence. High-performance LED lighting are integrated into the headlamps for Premier models, and there are new LED signature daytime running lamps for LT and Premier. There's greater attention to detail in the grille and headlamps, with bold chrome accents reinforcing Malibu's premium appearance.
A new rear valance pushes the dual-exhaust outlets farther toward the corners, emphasizing the car's width, while new taillamps deliver a more dramatic execution of Chevrolet's signature dual-element design. The LT and Premier trims feature LED taillamps.
"The Malibu's fresh look refines and enhances the sculptural beauty of the Malibu," said John Cafaro, executive director, Global Chevrolet Design. "It will also be an obvious member of the Chevrolet car family."
Additional 2019 updates across Malibu's lineup include:
A new, standard 8-inch diagonal color touchscreen radio running Chevrolet Infotainment
New 8-inch diagonal reconfigurable driver information center display on the Premier model
Rear Vision Camera system is now standard on the Malibu L model
The up-level Malibu Premier features standard heated outboard rear seats
New available interior and exterior colors
New wheel designs available in multiple sizes, including 16-, 17- and 18-inch
The restyled Malibu joins the 2019 Cruze and Spark as part of Chevrolet's freshened car portfolio. It goes on sale in fall 2018.
This capable mid-sizer is best when it doesn’t try too hard.
The automotive universe is fraught with reports of the demise of anything that isn’t a crossover or truck, and in particular the traditional sedan. At Chevrolet, there have been whispers that the Sonic is on borrowed time and that the Impala also could be axed. One sedan that has not been subject to these rumors, however, is the Chevrolet Malibu. That’s for good reason, as it remains one of the bow-tie brand’s bestselling vehicles. Going beyond sales figures, it’s one of the better cars in its segment.
Still, as the mid-sizer ticks up in age, Chevy is looking for new ways to keep things interesting. A prime example is the version we tested for this review, a 2018 Malibu with the $1195 Redline package. The Redline package—which, by the way, is also offered on most other Chevrolet products—is limited to the Malibu’s LT trim.
The package consists of black bow-tie emblems, black Malibu badges with a red outline, a blacked-out grille, and black side mirrors. Jet Black is the only option for the interior, with cloth as standard and leather available as part of a $2140 package, while the Malibu LT’s 18-inch wheels are swapped out for 19-inchers painted in black with two red hash marks. Not only do the aftermarket-like changes serve to undermine the elegance of the regular car, making it come across as hokey and more than a little desperate, they don’t offer any performance upgrades to legitimize the visuals.
Slow and Easy
That’s because, while many moons ago Chevys wearing Malibu badges could be ordered as muscled up as you like, today’s ’Bu is a docile creature that slots between the Cruze and the Impala in Chevy’s sedan lineup. Its standard turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four makes 163 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 2500 and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. A 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four is available on upper trims, while a 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid rounds out the lineup.
The 1.5 and the six-speed pair well together. The Malibu is not quick, with a zero-to-60-mph time of 8.2 seconds in our testing, but the engine delivers its output smoothly, exhibiting little noise or harshness. The transmission shifts cleanly and unobtrusively; while it doesn’t cry out for replacement, Chevrolet nevertheless is introducing a continuously variable transmission in the 2019 model.
Where the Malibu makes its case as a segment contender is beyond straight-line performance. The steering is quick and direct with an acceptably light effort for a family machine. It strikes a nice balance between the lethargic sedans at the bottom of the class and the more sporting four-doors such as the Mazda 6. The steering complements the reasonably crisp handling, and body motions are well controlled and never unpredictable. Although the Redline package’s 19-inch wheels introduce some harshness to the ride, the Malibu feels light and tight.
Space Capsule
The interior of the Malibu is cleanly designed and ergonomically sound, although our test example was a festival of black in the form of matte plastic, patches of padded leather, and layers of textured rubber, with only a little brightwork to break things up. The dashboard isn’t as highly styled as those seen in competitors such as the Mazda 6 and the Honda Accord, but it is commendably simple. The HVAC controls are easy to reach and well marked, and below the infotainment screen is a small row of buttons flanking a central volume knob. The Malibu is a good example of how to make physical controls and touchscreen technology coexist.
For 2018, the LT trim includes the $995 Convenience package, which means 18-inch wheels now come standard, along with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, two USB ports for rear-seat passengers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, and a 4.2-inch info screen in the gauges.
With the Malibu’s redesign for 2016, Chevrolet added 3.6 inches to the wheelbase, which translated to an additional three cubic feet of interior volume, for a total of 103. The cabin is not the roomiest in the segment, but it matches or betters our favorite family sedans, the Accord and the Mazda 6. The cabin is airy, and legroom should not be an issue for adults in the rear. A small annoyance is how high the rear seats sit when folded down; this creates an uneven load floor and shortens the usable height of the pass-through between the trunk and the cabin.
The Malibu has class-competitive ride quality, steering feel, refinement, and cabin space, and its attractive exterior styling still comes across as upscale even three years after its debut. Keep it honest without gimmicks like the ride-degrading Redline gear, and this mainstream mid-size mostly satisfies.
Considering that nearly every story we write these days starts with something like, "As crossovers continue to crush sedans in sales ...," it'd be obtuse to ignore the very real headwinds that face the 2019 Chevy Malibu. Crossovers march steadily on to sales records, and the still-sizable cadre of sedan buyers has eroded. But those remaining have a strong selection of interesting, well-designed, and efficient sedans to choose from – the fittest of the breed are hanging on.
And also, the Malibu. While it debuted in 2015 as a 2016 model, the Malibu felt a bit old when it was brand new. A few years later, this refreshed Malibu — and the RS trim level, specifically, which is new to the nameplate — seems like it's fresh out of an alternate universe, where sedan sales were healthy enough to support a bunch of backmarkers. Remember, Ford is killing the Fusion, once a solid mid-packer. At the moment, it seems like the automakers have decided that being fourth or sixth fiddle to the big dogs isn't worth the effort.
And yet, the Malibu. It is here, and it has a new face. The RS trim — which consists of a black grille, a blacked-out bowtie badge, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, and a dual-outlet exhaust — takes aim at the Accord Sport and Passat R-Line. It, like other Malibus, also ditches the old six-speed auto for a new CVT. The engine remains a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, and also remains somehow well-matched to this car's size and weight. There's nothing different of note about the RS's interior.
Compared to the old Malibu's face, the new Malibu has larger upper and lower openings, filled with a distorted-diamond mesh. Chevy calls it black chrome, but for all the world it looks like black-tinted plastic. The headlights are similar, but improvements in low-beam lighting force some elements to move down into the reshaped lower lamps, like the daytime running lights. There's less brightwork and more aggression to the front fascia overall, mirroring Chevy's current corporate design language.
Around back, dual exhaust tips poke out from a revised lower fascia, replacing the tucked tips hidden behind the old Malibu's bumper skin. They're rounded, oblong quadrangles, loosely resembling the taillights, which themselves are unchanged. A spoiler juts above the trunklid. The five-spoke wheels split at their tips. Is this what counts as sporty in the midsize segment?
Don't expect any contribution to the sportiness from the powertrain. The 1.5-liter engine and CVT are adequate — but neither rises beyond that descriptor. Frankly, the Malibu feels immense, but as we found out in 2016, it's not terribly heavy, so the 1.5 works just fine here. Its ride, handling, and power delivery are unremarkable — few demerits and certainly no plaudits. Steering duties are begrudgingly handled by a leather-wrapped steering wheel that looks a bit like a caricature of itself – cartoonish and distorted. The profound adequacy extends to the seats, which support well for about an hour and then begin to wear on the back. Little offends, but little impresses – the initial, almost neutral pleasantness of the Malibu RS wears off, like you've been inside it too long and it is trying to let on, quietly, that you've overstayed your welcome.
The CVT itself has no glaring vices, but also isn't nearly as sophisticated or slick as the latest units from Nissan and Subaru. What is shocking is that the RS isn't available with the 2.0T and nine-speed automatic — a more natural fit for a "sporty" trim. It's not even an option. Just like the word "coupe" has been twisted to encompass a broad variety of vehicle types, in the sedan world, "sporty" is not what it seems. From a dynamic standpoint, "sporty" is an antonym for "Malibu RS".
The existential question for the Malibu is whether the RS trim will move the needle. Based on what we saw during our time with the RS, it doesn't look like there's enough "there" there for the Malibu RS to lead the charge and conquer the segment. For those already intent on buying a large sedan from Chevy, the RS will be an appealing alternative to the more boring lower trim models. It is, after all, for all intents and purposes a base car with some upmarket flavor — but not too much! — for around $25,000.
Meanwhile, the competition looms conspicuously in this price point. The 2018 Accord Sport, with a 1.5-liter turbo engine and a no-cost CVT option, is just a smidge more at $26,675 — but seriously outperforms GM's 1.5, making 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, and has some real handling modifications like larger front and rear stabilizer bars, a quicker steering ratio, and upgraded brakes. Just redesigned, it feels cutting-edge without being overly controversial. It is an excellent choice in the segment. The same can be said for the equally aggressive 2018 Camry SE, with even more power (but slightly less torque) and an eight-speed auto for $26,270. Camry, by the way, almost doubled the monthly sales figures of the Malibu in July.
The Malibu RS doesn't offer enough, with enough pizazz, to offer a serious challenge to similarly-priced and -positioned competitors. Some real talk here: If Chevy wants to keep selling Malibus a few years on, it's going to need more than a revised grille and some exhaust tips — or a shady plot in the graveyard of runner-up sedans, next to the Fusion, awaits.
Stupid 2.0Toy that costs more in fuel than a decent 305HP 3.6L engine found in the heavier Impala. Earlier this month, I drove an Impala 2018 for a week.., even more better noise than the Honda 3.5L. Too bad for the rest.
I drove one of these for that driver training course I mentioned in the Car Talk thread. The training included an autocross course. I only got one lap out of it, and dynamically, it wasn't too bad.
The interior is as bad as you think. GM is definitely last or close to it, compared to its competitors. The Optima was notably better inside.
General Motors introduced the current generation of Malibu in late 2015 as a 2016 model, and it lived up to its predecessor's legacy by earning its keep in sales and doing little else. But with Chevrolet walking its sedans off the plank and the Malibu's sales plunging for two straight years despite a 2019 refresh, the model's future is looking grim at best. According to a report by Automotive News, the American automaker reportedly still has plans for the midsize sedan.
The Chevrolet Malibu will allegedly remain a part of GM's portfolio until 2024. To shore up the aging model's appeal, GM may reportedly give the model a second facelift in 2022, which could portend keeping the Malibu around even longer.
Whenever the Malibu does go, its place in Chevrolet's lineup will reportedly be filled by some sort of electric vehicle (EV), whose name and body style are not known as of this time. Considering AN's anonymous sources and the fact that this is still five years away, you should take this with a grain of salt.
Considering the midsize hole the Malibu's discontinuation will leave in the Chevrolet roster, GM's planned introduction of 20 EVs by 2023, and the market's insatiable demand for crossovers, it wouldn't be outlandish to imagine the Malibu's successor to be a midsize electric crossover. This hypothetical electric crossover could have styling reminiscent of the Bolt-based crossover allegedly launching next year, potentially under the name Bolt EUV.
The Drive contacted GM about its plans for the future of the Malibu, and we will update when we receive comment.
Instead of killing it off, maybe those executives at GM should go check out Accord and Camry and ask themselves why can they sell 20-30k A MONTH of those things and we can't?
Stupid 2.0Toy that costs more in fuel than a decent 305HP 3.6L engine found in the heavier Impala. Earlier this month, I drove an Impala 2018 for a week.., even more better noise than the Honda 3.5L. Too bad for the rest.
My dad had an Impala Limited (prior gen body style carryover) and the 3.6 ran well in his. Pretty much the same LFX that's in the Camaro & Colorado, IIRC.
Have seen it do duty in a few Miata swaps with good results as well.
My dad had an Impala Limited (prior gen body style carryover) and the 3.6 ran well in his. Pretty much the same LFX that's in the Camaro & Colorado, IIRC.
Have seen it do duty in a few Miata swaps with good results as well.
Now that's something I didn't think I would ever read. "Malibu swapped Miata"
The current ninth-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced in 2016 to much fanfare, but now, the sedan’s future is looking increasingly uncertain, as GM Authority has learned that the Malibu will likely be dropped outright after the 2023 model year.Despite a refresh for the 2019 model year, Chevrolet Malibu sales have dropped off considerably since it was first introduced, and as GM continues to push forward with expensive EV and AV investments, unprofitable and underperforming products are being forced out. To note, Chevy sold just 131,917 units of the sedan in the U.S. market last year, a 42-percent drop compared to the 227,881 units sold in 2016. Meanwhile, in Canada, Chevy just 5,823 units last year, a 49-percent drop compared to the 11,503 units sold in the market in 2016.The current Chevrolet Malibu may be discontinued following the 2023 MY.
Recent events seem to have exacerbated the issue. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, GM’s plan was to keep the Chevrolet Malibu in the lineup until the 2025 model year, with a refresh in 2023. Now, it looks as though those plans may have changed.
Both the Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Impala were discontinued last year, which makes the Malibu one of just two remaining Chevrolet sedans on sale right now, the other being the Sonic, which is offered as both a hatchback and a sedan. However, the Sonic’s days appear to be numbered as well, as the U.S. is the only remaining market where it’s still sold, following its discontinuation in Mexico, Canada, and Korea over the last few years in favor of the Chevrolet Onix.
What’s more, consumers continue to favor crossovers over cars in terms of broad buying trends. Even perennial sedan segment leaders like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have seen declines as of late, with an overall eight-percent drop in segment volume for the 2019 calendar year. Another 15 percent drop in the segment is expected for 2020.
Over 130,000 sales nothing to be brushed aside. Yes it’s cause for concern but, why are they simply leaving the scene for Japanese and Koreans without a fight.
I understand if sales are less than 10,000 or so, but currently it can be an aftermath of COVID crisis as well. What will they do if the market turns towards sedans in another few years. All the American automakers will be caught napping.
I guess someone needs to tell these bosses that in order to win a game you have to play it first.
Why don’t they invest in an EV version of Malibu?
My first car was a Chevy Beretta, so I've always rooted for GM cars. The truth is that 70% of vehicles sold in 2019 were SUVs, crossovers, and trucks. And this has been trending upward since 2009.
It's somewhat misleading when Ford, FCA, and now GM are basically saying they're abandoning the car market. What they're doing is killing the nameplates and replacing the "slots" that were once occupied by the respective sedans with taller, crossover-like vehicles. For example, the second generation of the EcoSport (small crossover) was developed on the Ford Fiesta B2E platform and is basically a more spacious Fiesta with available 4WD.
Keep in mind GM sold over 85,000 Buick Roadmaster wagons in 1992, so this is just part of the ever-changing automotive landscape.
08-31-2011, 01:56 PM
2016
Chevy
LFX Miata actually. Sourced typically from the Camaro or CTS.
