2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS FWD 4dr Car

2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS FWD 4dr Car

Think of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu as The Joneses of the mid-size sedan segment, and not because everyone is trying to keep up. Instead, like the term "The Joneses," Chevy's four-door is fairly generic. Beneath its sleek exterior hides a fairly ho-hum-quality (if attractive) interior and hardware that gets the job done without overachievement. The two turbocharged four-cylinder engine options, as well as the available hybrid powertrain, are overshadowed by the excellently tuned suspension, which delivers a comfortable ride and secure handling. It is a safe, solid choice—but the real Joneses in its class are the Mazda 6 and the Honda Accord. What's New for 2020? Almost nothing! The Malibu received a minor visual update for 2019, so the 2020 Malibu carries over to this year with only a few new colors (Stone Gray and Black Cherry) and new wheels for the RS and Premier trims. Three paint colors available in 2019 are no more, so if you had a strong attachment to or lust for Iridescent Pearl, Pacific Blue, or Sandy Ridge, 2020 just isn't your year. Pricing and Which One to Buy • L: $22,970 • LS: $24,095 • RS: $25,095 • LT: $27,495 • Hybrid: $31,095 • Premier: $34,195 We continue to recommend buying the mid-level LT trim, which comes with more standard features than the lowly L and LS yet still runs a reasonable $27,495. (The slightly less expensive RS has spicier visuals and nearly the same equipment, so we wouldn't say no to that version, either.) The LT comes standard with the Malibu's 160-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine—the more powerful 2.0-liter engine is reserved for the top-level Premier—as well as 17-inch wheels, LED taillights, an acoustically laminated windshield, remote engine starting, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The available Driver Confidence I and Driver Confidence II packages practically buy themselves at $545 and $1095. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors are included in both, while the Confidence II kit adds plus automatic high-beams, lane-keep assist, automated emergency braking, and forward-collision warning. Engine, Transmission, and Performance Like many mid-size family sedans, the Malibu offers several powertrains. Most Malibu models are propelled by a dutiful 163-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through a CVT. We haven't tested the car with the new CVT, but we did test a Malibu in 2018 when it came with a normal six-speed automatic. This combination was slower than similar rivals in our acceleration tests, but it delivered a smooth, even pull. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four—which is exclusive to the top-tier Premier trim—makes 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The last Malibu 2.0T we tested—a 2016—ran well enough, but neither its real-world fuel economy nor its performance bested those of its competitors, many of which made do with V-6 engines rather than turbochargers. The well-behaved hybrid version pairs a gasoline-powered four-cylinder with two electric motors, one of which helps power the front wheels, and the other charges a 1.5-kWh battery pack. Like the turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine, its combined 182 horsepower is transmitted through a CVT. This hybrid system can propel the Malibu up to 55 mph on electricity alone, but the battery's electric-only driving range is less than five miles. The last hybrid we tested smoothly transitioned between hybrid modes and was quicker than the Malibu we tested with the base 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG In terms of EPA fuel-mileage estimates, the Malibu's smallest engine underperforms the equivalent base powertrains in the Accord and the Toyota Camry. The Malibu's 2.0-liter turbo engine, however, has thoroughly competitive government ratings compared with the optional powerplants in the Honda and Toyota, but we haven't tested its real-world fuel economy. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine managed a respectable 34 mpg over the course of our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route. The hybrid delivered an impressive 44 mpg, tying the Camry hybrid. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo While the Malibu's interior is not the fanciest or the quietest, it is very comfortable and ergonomically friendly. The cabin has competitive passenger space and options, but most alternatives have better outward visibility. The Malibu's symmetrical dashboard and the large opening beneath the center stack make the cockpit feel spacious. The front seats have a wide base and supportive side bolsters, but their back cushions are too narrow for some occupants. The back seat has less legroom than the Honda Accord's back seat, but it still fit our adult frames. Not every Malibu is created equal when it comes to cargo space. While gas-powered versions boast a big trunk with ample carry-on capacity, the hybrid's battery pack partially blocks the trunk's pass-through access and also prevented us from fitting the maximum number of carry-ons that the nonhybrid version held. Still, the Malibu has plenty of interior storage space even though it doesn't lead the class. Infotainment and Connectivity Chevy fits every Malibu with its excellent infotainment system that includes many of today's most desirable options—Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. While the touchscreen interface is easy to interpret, the system is losing ground versus the competition, as it lacks a convenient rotary control knob as a secondary way to interact with the interface. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Malibu earned the government's highest crash-test score, but it failed to capture a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Although the Chevy sedan can be had with all the high-tech assists that help protect modern families, these options are unavailable on some models. Key safety features include: • Available automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection • Available lane-keeping assist • Available adaptive cruise control Warranty and Maintenance Coverage The Malibu has competitive limited and powertrain warranties, but its corrosion protection and roadside assistance are longer than most rivals in this matchup. Likewise, the Chevy offers just one complimentary scheduled maintenance visit while the Camry is covered for two years or 25,000 miles. • Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles • Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles • Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit