The onslaught of crossovers and SUVs in the $20,000 to $35,000 price range has left manufacturers with two choices: either drop whatever sedan you have competing in that segment or up the game to make it more exciting and appealing to the buying public. Ford chose the easy way out while Chevrolet decided to make the Malibu sexier.
It's not particularly interesting, but it is sleek and elegant. All models have a large grille with the RS featuring a blacked-out grille and a black Chevy bowtie emblem. The rear is less successful, but you do get alloys as standard across the range. The base LS come with 16-inch wheels and the LT has 17-inch items - although you can exchange them for 16s if you prefer. The sportier RS has 18-inch wheels and the range-topping Premier gets 19-inch alloys that do the best job of filling out those arches.
The Chevy Malibu is 194.2 inches long, housing a wheelbase of 111.4 inches. The width without the side mirrors is 73 inches, and the Malibu stands 57.9 inches tall. The track width at the front is 62.6 inches wide, while the rear is 0.1 inches smaller. The lightest Malibu is 3,135 pounds, while the heaviest is 3,223 lbs. Compared to two of its main competitors, the Malibu's weight is similar to that of the Honda Accord that starts at 3,150 lbs, but lighter than the Mazda 6 that starts at 3,437 lbs. Oddly enough, all three of these cars have the same wheelbase of 111.4 inches, yet packaging differences mean that not all offer the same amount of interior space.
Chevrolet Malibu Trims | LS | RS | LT | Premier |
---|---|---|---|---|
Max Width | 73 in. | 73 in. | 73 in. | 73 in. |
Length | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. |
Height | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. |
Wheelbase | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. |
Chevrolet Malibu Trims | Curb Weight |
---|---|
LS | 3,135 lbs. |
RS | 3,135 lbs. |
LT | 3,159 lbs. |
Premier | 3,223 lbs. |
Front Tire | 245/45R18 |
Rear Tire | 245/45R18 |
Spare Tire | T125/80R16 |
Wheels Type | Aluminum Wheels |
Front Wheel Size | 18" x 8.0" |
Rear Wheel Size | 18" x 8.0" |
There are seven colors in the Malibu's palette, but specific colors are only unlocked in the more expensive trim levels. The base LS is available in five colors. These are Summit White and four metallics: Silver Ice, Mosaic Black, Mineral Gray, and Dark Ash - the latter two new for 2022. Cherry Red Tintcoat is available from RS trim upwards and retails for $495. The LT and Premier trim levels additionally add Northsky Blue Metallic.