2015 Chevrolet Malibu review

What We Like

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.

What Needs Improvement

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.