2023 Chevrolet Malibu

History/Overview

The Chevrolet Malibu is the brand’s final nod to the three-box family car, a sedan whose traditional design stands in contrast to Chevy’s extensive range of crossovers. The Malibu’s last significant redesign happened in 2016.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

The already-sedate Malibu gets even less exciting for 2023 with the elimination of last year’s optional 250-hp, 2.0L turbo engine; gone with it is the top-spec Premier trim level. Otherwise, Chevy’s mid-size sedan is unchanged.

Available Trims

Chevrolet offers the Malibu in LS, RS, 1LT, and 2LT trim levels. All are powered by a 1.5L turbo four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Standard Features

Malibu LS comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, passive keyless entry, and auto on/off headlights. Inside, there’s a six-speaker stereo, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and manual air conditioning.

The standard safety bundle comprises forward collision mitigation, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams.

RS gains 18-inch wheels, black exterior trim, and a power driver’s seat with lumbar.

1LT trades down to 17-inch alloys, but adds LED daytime running lights, dual-zone A/C, heated front seats, and lighted sun visors.

Finally, 2LT models get 19-inch wheels, a dual-pane sunroof, LED headlights/taillights, a 120-volt power outlet, digital gauges, nine-speaker audio, navigation, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats with power passenger adjustments, and wireless phone charging.

Key Options

Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors come bundled in packages with items like a sunroof (in LS, and in the 1LT True North package), or on their own in a driver confidence pack available in all trims.

Exclusive to 2LT is a driver confidence/cruise package of adaptive cruise, automatic park assist, and enhanced emergency braking.

Fuel Economy

Chevrolet’s fuel consumption estimates for the Malibu are 8.6/6.8 L/100 km (city/highway).

Competition

The Malibu is now one of the least-compelling options in a class that includes the Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Kia K5, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata.