2026 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews, Colors, Configurations – Even though it has been there for a very long time, nobody seems to remember it. Companies are moving their emphasis from cars to SUVs, leaving just the Malibu as a Chevrolet sedan in production. Price points start at $25,248 for the LS and go up to $37,848 for the Premier after going through the RS and LT. The LT I bought had a starting price of $27,748 but with all the add-ons, the final price was $33,818 (not including taxes or shipping). 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews
Table of Contents
2026 Chevrolet Malibu Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
Even if the Malibu is still around because to its popularity with fleets, only the most realistic individuals can make it there. The trunk is bigger than the Camry and Altima from Toyota and Nissan, but smaller than the Sonata and Accord from Hyundai and Honda. Just like other sedans in its class, this one has a trunk that’s about average. When it comes to storing little goods, the Malibu provides adequate performance thanks to its open console cubby and exceptionally long and large door pockets. 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews
2026 Chevrolet Malibu Specs
Despite its reputation as a speedy warrior, the Malibu’s lowest LS trim level is nevertheless very well-equipped. Air conditioning, automatic headlights, tire pressure monitoring, Wi-Fi hotspot, keyless entry, and push-button start are all part of these amenities. But if you want to keep using one of these services after the trial ends, you’ll have to pay for a membership. 
Along with the LED headlights and taillights, heated mirrors, power driver’s seat, remote starter, heated seats, and satellite radio, my LT model also came standard with a power driver’s seat. The Premier trim level includes every available safety assist feature, plus LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, auto-dimming mirrors, a 120-volt outlet, heated steering wheel, sunroof, premium radio, GPS, and leather-clad heated and ventilated seats. The base trim level also includes all of the aforementioned features. 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews
Engine and Performance
With its continuously variable transmission (CVT) and turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 163 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, the Premier is the sole model that deviates from this norm. The Premier’s 2.0-liter turbocharger produces 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and it comes standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission. 
Its smaller engine provides adequate power at first and then settles into a pretty smooth cruising mode when you press down on the accelerator. Even though it doesn’t sound very powerful, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) has a nasty drone that makes it seem like everything is trying too hard to make anything happen. 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews
2026 Chevrolet Malibu Fuel Economy
According to official ratings, the 1.5L Malibu gets 8.2 liters per hundred kilometers in city driving, 6.6 liters per hundred kilometers on the highway, and 7.5 liters per hundred kilometers in mixed driving. After a week of driving it, I got 8.0 liters per hundred kilometers, which is more than enough for a car of its size, in my opinion. Still, automakers have been killing it with vehicles in this segment recently.
The Malibu ranks among the class’s most fuel-efficient models, consuming just 7.5 liters per 100 km, but most of its rivals get near to or below 8.0 liters per 100 km as well. 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews
2026 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Features
The Malibu has been given an overall crashworthiness rating of four stars by the United States’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For the frontal impact, the Malibu got five stars, but for the side collision and rollover, it only got four. There was a “marginal” rating for the convenience of use of child-seat tethers and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded its maximum possible grade of “good” for five of the six tests. 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews
While more sophisticated safety aids are available as an upgrade on the Premier and LT trim levels, they are not standard on the base model. Autonomous high-beam headlights, lane-keeping assist, rear park aid, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic warning, and emergency front braking with pedestrian detection were all standard on the vehicle I tested. But for $4,500 you could have the LT Plus Package that included leather upholstery, automatic dimming mirrors, and power sunroof. Nevertheless, the Premier level is the only one that comes with adaptive cruise control, so it was missing that function.
2026 Chevrolet Malibu Price and Release Date
The starting price of $25,248 for the Malibu is far more than the basic price of almost anything else in its market segment. As an example, the starting price of a Toyota Camry is $26,620, that of a Hyundai Sonata is $26,999, that of a Honda Accord is $28,705, and that of a Mazda6 is $27,350.
That would put me just under $32,000 while still letting me have the driver assistance features and the plusher interior. As part of the deal, you’ll get two years’ worth of oil changes at the specified intervals, or 24,000 kilometers. 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews
