2026 Chevy Malibu: As the Chevrolet Malibu draws to a close, we look back fondly on the 60-year history of this midsize family sedan. The Malibu was named after the seaside town that befitted the Beach Boys’ hit album. In its final year, the 2025 Malibu retains the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission as its sole powertrain options.
While it’s not fast, this sedan offers steady, even acceleration once it reaches top speed. Compared to competitors like the Toyota Camry, which comes standard with a nimble hybrid powertrain and is available with front- or all-wheel drive, the Malibu falls behind.
Malibu competitors like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata add to the burden with far superior standard features, making the Chevy feel underpowered. Overall, the Malibu may not immediately shoot to the top of the segment, but this four-door isn’t a completely bad car either.
Comfortable seats and excellent ergonomics are its main attributes, complementing its attractive exterior. Coupled with its aggressive price, that might be enough for some.
2026 Chevy Malibu Reviews
The Chevrolet Malibu has been a viable option for midsize sedan buyers for years. (Or, if not, at least a viable rental car.) However, Chevrolet’s last sedan will be discontinued after the 2025 model year. The current model hasn’t been redesigned since 2016 and is no longer competitive.
While the Malibu has some advantages, other sedans offer more. The Malibu’s touchscreen interface is easy to use, though that’s partly due to its outdated and less comprehensive system. It’s not just the infotainment system that’s exceptional.
Competing sedans also offer more advanced driver assistance, a wider range of safety features, and more convenience features. Many sedans also come with hybrid powertrains for improved fuel efficiency or more powerful engines for a sportier driving experience. Neither is available on the Malibu.
Performance is quite good. Chevrolet launched this generation of the Malibu for the 2016 model year. During that time, the Malibu has become a credible alternative to the “Big Two” in its class, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. By the way, the Camry remains one of Toyota’s best-selling cars.
And this may come as a surprise, but the Malibu still performs quite well here. The Malibu may be primarily aimed at fleet buyers and rental companies, but still.
Many of our owner reviews praise the Malibu in general. That kind of feedback from long-time car owners is always a good sign. It’s just that Chevrolet has been allocating more of its resources to SUVs and electric vehicles.
That’s the ever-changing automotive world. However, if anyone wants to keep the spirit of ’16 (when the first “Deadpool” movie came out), they might want to buy a new Malibu while they can.
What’s New in 2025?
This is the final year for the Malibu; therefore, Chevrolet is not making any changes for the 2025 model.
Chevrolet has announced that this is the final year of the Malibu as we know it. Perhaps an electric sedan will inherit the name someday, but that’s it for now.
2026 Chevy Malibu Specs
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu offers a range of safety, technology, and convenience-focused features, including the Chevy Safety Assist suite, an easy-to-use infotainment system, and a comfortable and spacious interior. It also features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and a variety of trim-specific features.
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 163 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu has 163 horsepower. All 2025 Malibu variants are equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing this much power. This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.
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2026 Chevy Malibu Report
A new report confirms that GM will end production of the Chevy Malibu this fall at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas. This decision will pave the way for the next-generation electric Chevy Bolt EV. The next-generation Chevy Malibu is expected to launch around the 2026 or 2027 model year.
As reported by The Detroit News, GM spokesman Kevin Kelly confirmed in a statement that production of the ninth-generation Chevy Malibu will end later this year.
Following a production pause in January, the Fairfax plant will undergo a major overhaul in preparation for producing the Chevy Bolt EV and Cadillac XT4 on the same assembly line. This move is expected to give GM the flexibility it needs to quickly respond to customer demand.
Currently, the ninth-generation Chevy Malibu is expected to have one final model year in 2025 before its production run ends. Additionally, GM is expected to launch an all-new next-generation Malibu in time for its debut in the 2026 or 2027 model year.
This production shift aligns with GM’s broader vision to accelerate electric vehicle manufacturing. The new Chevy Bolt EV will use GM’s Ultium platform, replacing the previous-generation Bolt, which was produced at GM’s Orion assembly plant.
Production of the previous-generation Bolt ended in December 2023, while in November 2023, GM committed to investing $391 million to produce new electric vehicles at the Fairfax facility, as per an agreement between GM and the UAW.
2026 Chevy Malibu Redesign
The Chevrolet Malibu was born twice as a mid-size car in 1964 as a trim level of the Chevrolet Chevelle and went through four iterations, the last of which appeared in its own model line. Production was discontinued in 1983 and revived in 1997.
Named after a community in Malibu, California, the Chevrolet Malibu – unfortunately – had the misfortune of being the last ICE-powered sedan sold by a GM subsidiary in the United States. Worse still, it has also been sacrificed for crossovers, SUVs, trucks, and EVs.
More specifically, after nine generations on the market, the Chevrolet Malibu ended production in November 2024, with the factory being remodeled for the production of the second-generation Chevrolet Bolt electric crossover SUV. However, the Bolt didn’t officially go into production until May 2025, indicating a potential delay.
Therefore, while supplies last, Chevrolet is still offering the 2025 Malibu for $25,800, with a 1.5-liter turbo inline-four engine producing 163 hp and a continuously variable transmission sending power to the front wheels.
It’s nothing new, but the Chevy Malibu, the affordable, family-friendly four-door of the Detroit Big Three, has become a thing of the past, with Japan and South Korea eager to fill the void. So, it’s the only one holding on, at least for a while. But what if this didn’t have to be the case?
An imaginative member of a guild of digital car content creators has decided to stop dwelling in the parallel world of CGI vehicles and do something about the mid-size sedan’s declining popularity.
More specifically, Dimas Ramadhan, the virtual automotive artist behind the Digimods DESIGN channel on YouTube, initially decided to continue the legacy of the Subaru Legacy and has now also taken over the task of CGI-revealing the new Chevy Malibu.
So, the pixel maestro decided to give the 2026 Chevrolet Malibu a chance to reach its tenth generation, albeit only in the realm of fantasy and quickly added a bold and modern look to the mid-size sedan.
For Chevy fans, the design is also very familiar – the CGI experts simply took the strong DNA of the affordable Chevy Trax, including the front grille, split headlights, unique taillights, and even black wheels, and grafted it onto the body of the mid-size sedan.
As it turns out, the results are not completely disappointing, the author even used the Activ trim level to give a touch of ruggedness and style to the unofficial hypothetical 2026 Chevrolet Malibu design project, including black mirrors and Chevy bow ties on the front and rear plus silver elements on the front and rear bumpers.
2026 Chevy Malibu Interior
While the Malibu’s interior isn’t the most luxurious or quiet, it’s comfortable and ergonomic. The cabin offers competitive passenger space and options, but most alternatives offer better outward visibility. The Malibu’s symmetrical dashboard and large opening under the center stack create a spacious cockpit.
The front seats have wide bases and supportive side bolsters, but the back cushions are too narrow for some passengers. The rear seats have less legroom than the Accord’s, but still accommodate adults.
The Malibu offers a large trunk with adequate luggage capacity; it also has plenty of interior storage space, though not class-leading.
Tech
Chevy equips every Malibu with a touchscreen infotainment system that includes many of the premium options of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. While the touchscreen interface is easy to understand, the system lacks the advanced features of competitors and lacks secondary physical controls.
Comfort
Compare the 2025 Malibu’s cabin to something more contemporary like the Kia K5, and it’s clear that automotive interior design has come a long way since this generation of Malibu debuted in 2016. For example, all Malibu trims feature an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, which is small by today’s standards.
However, the timeless quality of human accommodations is another matter. The Malibu performs well here, with ample space in both rows. Rear legroom is generous, at 38.1 inches. Among its competitors, only the Honda Accord offers more. And the 15.7 cubic feet of trunk space is adequate for its class.
2026 Chevy Malibu Exterior
With a nearly identical appearance to the 2016 model, the exterior of the 2025 Malibu appears to have aged gracefully. Its lines remain sharp and subtle. “Classic” may be an overused term, but we think it’s quite appropriate in this context.
Our Favorite Features and Technologies
Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Wireless phone integration is a convenient feature. We found the entire infotainment system user-friendly, while Wi-Fi is also standard.
Teenage Driver
When the new driver in the family asks to borrow the keys to the Chevy Malibu sedan, the standard, pre-programmable key fob can control things like audio system levels, set speed limits, and provide an in-vehicle report card.
Fasten Your Seat Belt for Driving
Another standard feature designed specifically for young people, this feature encourages good habits by preventing the transmission from shifting out of Park until the driver’s seatbelt is fastened.
Keyless entry keypad
Optional on all models except the RS, this 5-digit keypad is located vertically on the driver’s side door pillar. This means drivers can lock their keys inside the car and browse the internet (or other similarly keyless activities) without needing to access it.
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Wireless charging
While the 2025 Chevy Malibu is far from cutting-edge technology, at least the top-of-the-line 2LT trim features wireless phone charging as standard.
Automatic Parking Assistance
Available only as an option on the top-of-the-line 2LT trim, this function maneuvers the car into parallel or perpendicular parking spaces. The driver controls the accelerator, brake, and gear selection while keeping their hands off the wheel.
2026 Chevy Malibu Hybrid
Recently, a rumor surfaced claiming Chevrolet would release a hybrid version of its Malibu midsize sedan in 2026. The claim primarily originated on various social media platforms and was spread by random YouTube channels with videos purportedly showing photos of the car. To the average internet user with no knowledge of artificial intelligence, the purported Malibu Hybrid renderings might seem convincing.
One of the channels spreading news about the rumored 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid was Upcoming Cars Updates, which released a video in January 2025 claiming to have obtained the first look images. The channel claimed that the automaker had redesigned the Malibu from the ground up for a 2026 launch.
The car is said to feature a bold new look, cutting-edge technology, and a powerful engine. Reportedly, the sedan will be equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower.
Another YouTube channel, PoloTo, also released a video detailing the rumored Malibu Hybrid. However, the video claims the car will use a 1.8-liter gasoline engine capable of producing 182 horsepower. The video also claims the hybrid model will offer an impressive combined fuel economy of 48 mpg and will have a starting price of around $28,000.
Despite the convincing claims from these YouTube channels, the claims are far from true. Chevrolet has no plans to release a new Malibu, let alone a hybrid variant. In fact, the rumors are baseless, as Chevrolet has already discontinued Malibu production.
There are several clear indicators that the rumored 2026 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is just a hoax. One of the most obvious signs is the flaws in the circulating renderings. A closer look at the images shared by Upcoming Cars Updates reveals glaring errors, such as a misspelling of the “Nalibu” logo on the rear, illegible text on the exterior, and design inconsistencies from one side of the car to the other. In some images, the Chevrolet logo is even missing.
GM ended production of the ninth-generation model on November 4, 2024, after the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City transitioned to electric vehicle production. Given the current market trend, which tends to be dominated by crossovers and SUVs, releasing a new midsize sedan would be a gamble.
Therefore, any speculation about the 2026 Malibu model is currently purely fictitious. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has facilitated the spread of misinformation, and the automotive industry is no exception.
AI-generated renderings of non-existent cars can now be so realistic that even novice internet users can easily be fooled into believing them. However, there are ways to identify images generated by AI image generators and avoid being misled by deceptive content.
Next, check the credibility of the source. Trusted automotive news outlets and official manufacturer websites are the best places to find reliable information about upcoming vehicles. If a claim about a new car comes from an unknown YouTube channel or a random social media post, it should be treated with skepticism.
After all, if Chevrolet were indeed developing a new vehicle, the brand itself would be the first to announce it, and many automotive publications would follow suit.
2026 Chevy Malibu Engine
Unlike other family sedans, the Malibu is only available with one engine: a 163-hp, 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through a CVT transmission.
The Malibu won’t be considered a luxury car, but its comfort and ride quality are above average for this segment. We were impressed by the responsive chassis of all Malibu models we drove: the balanced damping is neither soft nor stiff, and the Malibu can even be described as sporty.
2026 Chevy Malibu 0-60-MPH Time
The 2019 Malibu we tested averaged 7.8 seconds to 60 mph (96 km/h). This combination is slower than similar rivals in our acceleration test. For those looking for a fast car for the whole family, consider the Hyundai Sonata N Line or the Kia K5 GT, both of which have 290 hp engines that can accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in about 5.0 seconds.
2026 Chevy Malibu MPG
In terms of EPA fuel economy estimates, the Malibu’s single-engine performance is lower than the equivalent standard engines in the Accord and Toyota Camry. The Chevy is estimated to deliver a combined fuel economy of 30 mpg. However, its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine managed a respectable 34 mpg during our highway drive at 75 mph.
2026 Chevy Malibu Colors
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu is available in seven exterior colors: Mosaic Black Metallic, Lakeshore Blue Metallic, Night Shade Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic, Radiant Red Tintcoat, and Summit White. Night Shade Metallic is new for the 2025 model year. Radiant Red Tintcoat is not available on the base LS trim.
Competitor
We recommend considering the popular Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. They’re more expensive upfront, but they’re well worth the money. We also recommend the stylish and feature-rich Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata. You might even consider the Honda Civic or Hyundai Elantra. Both offer similar passenger and cargo space to the Malibu, but at a more affordable price.
2026 Chevy Malibu Price
Pricing for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu starts at $26,995 and can reach $32,695 depending on trim and options. We recommend the LT trim, as it has more standard features than the lower-end LS. The LT comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote engine start, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Every LT also comes with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not available, but for an additional $250, both features will be available.
| Models | Prices |
| LS | $26,995 |
| RS | $27,995 |
| LT | $29,295 |
| 2LT | $32,695 |
2026 Chevy Malibu Release Date
The Chevrolet Malibu will not be available for the 2026 model year. Malibu production ends in November 2024, according to GM Authority.
Verdict
While not as powerful or sophisticated as its competitors, the Malibu is a comfortable and stable choice at a reasonable price. With its impressive design and specs, we’re confident the 2026 Chevy Malibu will remain a reliable choice.
To stay updated with the latest news, trims, features, and pricing on the Malibu, visit our website regularly at 2025 Malibu. Don’t forget to bookmark our site for future updates and share this review with fellow truck enthusiasts!
