4.3 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
25 city, 36 highway, 29 combined
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Two years after a significant redesign, the Chevrolet Malibu carried into 2015 with no significant changes. It added a Wi-Fi connection hub and subscription-based 4G LTE data plan, but otherwise maintained its place as an American-made midsize family sedan slightly lost in the shuffle of higher-profile rivals. Wi-Fi hotspots require a data plan to activate and may also require a compatible device. See the owner's manual or manufacturer website for more information.
However, you don’t buy the Malibu for flash, but for its strengths, like the classy and tasteful interior design, quiet cabin, and large trunk. It also offers a choice of fuel-efficient four-cylinder or more powerful turbocharged engine if you prefer maximum performance. The Malibu’s tech — the touchscreen, specifically — is also fussier than what you’ll find elsewhere. These attributes don’t vault the Malibu to the head of the class, especially since most rivals offer a larger rear seat and some offer more zest from behind the wheel, but the Malibu still hits the basics at a price that undercuts contemporary rivals from Honda, Toyota and Nissan.
Drive type | 2WD |
Engine size | 2.0L |
Horsepower | 259 |
Torque (ft-lbs) | 295 |
Engine type | Turbo Gas |
Fuel capacity | 18.5 |
Wheelbase | 107.8" |
Overall length | 191.5" |
Width | 73" |
Height | 57.6" |
Leg room | F 42.1"/R 36.8" |
Head room | F 39"/R 37.5" |
Front tires | P235/50R18 |
Rear tires | P235/50R18 |
Seating capacity | 5 |
Transmission | Automatic |
Driving: The 2015 Malibu offers a choice of fuel-efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder or hopped-up turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Both are satisfying in their own right. The 2.5-liter features a start-stop system and an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined fuel economy — not class-leading, but respectable enough for commuting or family shuttling.
Interior: The 2015 Malibu’s upscale interior is punctuated by tasteful design, quality materials and controls, and ample sound insulation. It gives the Malibu a feeling of solidity that’s absent in some of its competitors. The center stack and infotainment interface seem overloaded with buttons, but it’s easy enough to navigate the functions after a short time behind the wheel. Chevy added in-car Wi-Fi and a subscription data plan to the 2015 Malibu, although modern smartphone connections and tethering options make it more of a novelty today.
Storage: At 16.3 cubic feet, the 2015 Malibu offers huge trunk space. It was class-leading at the time. Only the Hyundai Sonata matched it, and the Ford Fusion and Volkswagen Passat were close. The Malibu's trunk is still sizable among today's sedans, about as large as full-sizers like the Toyota Avalon and Dodge Charger, making it an ideal alternative to an SUV for those warehouse bulk-shopping trips.
Rear Seat Room: The Malibu’s large trunk eats into the rear seat room, making it tighter than its rivals. Rear legroom is typically two to three inches shorter than most competitors from the time, meaning tall rear-seat passengers are at the mercy of front seat passengers to slide forward and make room. The 2015 Malibu retains the thinner front seatbacks introduced in 2014, which help make a bit more knee room, but the Malibu back seat is a tight squeeze all around, especially for rear-facing car seats. Surprisingly, the Malibu is actually just slightly roomier than the Sonata in back, one of the few competitors where it holds an edge.
RepairPal gave the Chevrolet Malibu an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Chevrolet Malibu 13th out of 30 among Midsize Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Chevrolet Malibu* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.
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