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