Used 2020 Chevrolet Malibu

The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu is now the division’s largest sedan offering. The Malibu offers sleek styling, good ride and handling characteristics, a pleasant interior, as well as one of the better infotainment systems out there. However, the 2020 Malibu lacks a number of standard active driver assists now common on most of its competitors, offering them only on the most expensive trims.

The Malibu is a front-drive-only sedan, meaning it has nothing to compete against the all-wheel-drive Subaru Legacy, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima. Lastly, the Malibu’s resale numbers are only average, yet it offers no significant advantage in the way of pricing or features.

#5 in Best Midsize Cars of 2020

We drove a Chevrolet Malibu Premium equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain worked well, propelling the Malibu quickly off the line, aided by a rocker switch on the gearshift selector that allows for manual gearshifts. Although this system works well, we’d rather the Malibu had a nice pair of steering-wheel paddle shifters, preferably made of metal instead of plastic. The Malibu’s electric-assist steering is direct and nicely weighted while delivering good feedback.

Although our Malibu’s big 19-inch wheel/tire setup should have made for a jarring ride, such was not the case. The well-sorted suspension, with a multilink rear, absorbs bumps just as easily as it tackles tight corners and rapid lane changes. While the Malibu’s driving dynamics are not up to those of the Mazda6 or Honda Accord, Chevy’s midsize sedan certainly feels livelier than the Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata.

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While the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu’s interior isn’t revolutionary, it is attractive and modern. The plastics have a high-quality feel and there are numerous soft-touch surfaces all placed where they should be. The Infotainment 3 System provides large icons and physical knobs that make working the system as intuitive as shifting a gear lever. Visibility is pretty good, although the high deck and narrow side windows somewhat hinder rearward vision. Luckily the Malibu comes standard with a rearview camera.

We found the front seats comfortable and easily able to accommodate people of all sizes. You’ll find more hip room in a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or Subaru Legacy, but better rear-seat headroom in the Malibu. Legroom both front and rear is generous for this class.

From a distance, it’s difficult to distinguish the 2020 Chevy Malibu’s silhouette from a number of competitors, but move closer and little details like the scalloped side sculpting, pronounced lower grille and dual-element taillights scream “Chevrolet” loud and clear. The sporty RS trim gets a Camaro-like blacked-out grille and exposed dual-exhaust outlets, plus larger wheel and tires and a rear spoiler.

APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO
Along for the ride in every 2020 Chevrolet Malibu are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The advantage of both is better connectivity, giving access to your phone’s email, texts and navigation as well as music and apps, all via the Malibu’s excellent touch-screen Infotainment 3 system.

TEEN DRIVER
Thanks to Teen Driver, letting a teenager drive the 2020 Chevy Malibu no longer means hours of worry on your part. With Teen Driver, you can monitor the vehicle’s speed, see where the car has traveled and even mute the radio until everyone buckles their seatbelt.

The base 2020 Chevy Malibu L model includes must-have basics like air conditioning, cruise control and an AM/FM radio, as well as a rear-vision camera and the 8-inch infotainment screen offering Bluetooth audio streaming along with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

The very good 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder — which mounts exclusively to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) — includes stop/start and hill-start assist. On the safety front, the Malibu has 10 airbags, plus stability control and OnStar, which automatically dials for help in an accident. Also notable, the Premier comes with a high-def rear-vision camera.

There is a 2.0-liter turbo in Premier models. Beyond that, the Malibu offers ever-increasing levels of technology, including available adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alert.

There’s a 4G LTE-powered Wi-Fi hotspot to help you find your dinner spot, the available onboard navigation system can help you get there, and the Automatic Parking Assist can even help you park when you arrive. And of course, there’s available leather upholstery, with Premier models offering automatic climate control.

Standard on all 2020 Chevy Malibu models from L through LT is the 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine teamed with a CVT for improved fuel economy. This frugal drivetrain has little problem moving the Malibu, although with only 160 horsepower, the performance isn’t exactly thrilling.

Premier models come with the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which gets the Malibu moving without hesitation. Fitted with a 9-speed automatic transmission, this Malibu gets 32 mpg on the highway, which is competitive for the segment.

Both engines run on regular gasoline; premium is recommended for the 2.0-liter but not required.

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 (L, LS, RS, LT)
160 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/36 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Premier)
250 horsepower @ 5,300 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg