2025 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
Our 2016 Malibu is equipped with the Premier package and for a total MSRP of under $32k, the feature list can't be beat. We shopped around and compared other brands, but once optioned to be similar to the Malibu Premier's features, we were north of $45k in every instance, and in many comparable models some Malibu features weren't even available. The heated/ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, navigation with real-time traffic, Apple Car Play, back-up camera, and forward parking sensors, are just a few of the features that we find extremely useful on a daily basis. The 2.0L Turbo has great power, and the 8-speed auto is slick, without abrupt shifts or hesitation, and it rarely seems to hunt for the right gear. The powertrain, while it doesn't sound as good as a V6 or V8, is excellent in every other respect. I would and do recommend this car to anyone in the market for a sedan in the $20-50k range. Cross shop this car with the Cadillac ATS, Accord, Camry, etc., and you'll appreciate that this car does everything very well.
VS
Critical Review
We've got three Chevy Malibu cars; a 2005, 2011 and the 2016. Even though it has more bells-n-whistles, the 2016 is our least favorite. It drives as well as we'd expect, so there's no problems there; but it's just too crowded. The interior front tries so hard to make sure everything is at arms length that you can hardly steer the car without elbowing something. It also has awful leg room in the back. The 2016 has a blind spot that's almost 3 seconds long, and rear-view mirrors too small to be as useful as they should be. I've had MANY near misses because I have to look very hard and listen very carefully to know with certainty if someone is next to or behind me. We got a flat tire once and that's when we found out the car did not come with a spare tire, but instead came with a fix-a-flat kit. The Fix-a-flat didn't work at all, so we had to get the car towed. That's when we learned you have to especially request a split-bed tow truck due to the design of the car. We were stuck on the side of the highway from 2:30pm until almost 9pm. Three tow trucks later, and an extra $100 charge, we finally got home. I didn't like that at all. GM Roadside eventually reimbursed us for the $100 charge. To this day I'd rather drive my 2005.
2025 Malibu Reviews
Showing 8 of 145 reviews.
I like everything about it. great gas mileage and ride. stereo system is excellent only problem so far after 35000 miles was failure of rear backup camera. was fixed under warranty.
1.5 liter eng/trans ZERO issues ALL ORIGINAL drivetrain/accessories. ....MPG is Good...255K miles that's a Pros in my book
TPMS gremlins with THIS car
I have owned my 2017 Chevy Malibu Lt a little over 4k miles (I think it was s loaner) anyways I paid too much for it but, this certain car wanted to show me it was worth it. Now with nearly 255,000 on the clock I come to realize that this is a good car. I've put spark plugs in it a couple times a battery and a couple of transmission services heck I still have the brakes pads that the car rolled off the assembly line with and the cat still runs grea. A few suspension parts have been replaced also but, the interior is in good condition no tears to the black "leather?" And 2 maybe 3 glitches that fixed themselves without having to take it to the dealer! The only thing I can say that has given me a real issue is the TPMS it would never give me all 4 tire pressures on the display and when recalibrated (stock wheels or not) it would stay for a short time then 1 or 2 and sometimes all 4 pressure displays would disappear but, I decided to live with that because the place I got this car from well let's just say they were a bunch of characters but, in the end they did sell me a Gem of a car and I personally wouldn't be afraid to find/buy another Malibu.
On February 14, 2024, I purchased a 2020 Chevy Malibu LT with 109,000 miles and my experience has been nothing short of disappointing. Trouble began just two months after I drove it off the lot. The check engine light constantly illuminated, the air conditioning failed, and the brakes became unreliable. Additionally, the gauges started fluctuating; shockingly, despite having a full tank of gas, the fuel gauge often displayed a low reading. A trip to an auto parts store revealed that I needed to clean the throttle body, which quickly turned into a recurring task every couple of weeks, prompting me to eventually replace it altogether. Even after cleaning the throttle body, the check engine light persisted. A diagnostic scan subsequently identified a problem with the mass airflow sensor, which I cleaned several times before finally replacing it. Now, the check engine light has returned, this time indicating an issue with the turbo injector. To add to my frustration, the car occasionally stalls while driving, prompting me to shift into neutral and restart it. I've even replaced the gas pedal due to intermittent acceleration issues. This vehicle is equipped with an excessive number of sensors that frequently malfunction simultaneously, resulting in costly repairs. This car poses a significant safety concern and should be reconsidered for sale; it is simply not reliable.
LED headlights are not standard. (on a 2025 car!?) Lower trim levels do not have dual-zone climate or a rear seat armrest. Adaptive Cruise Control is only available as an option (not standard) on the highest 2LT trim level. A $22k base Corolla comes standard with all of these features. Don’t waste your money on this garbage.
I purchased this car new is 2017 and it has 100,000 miles on today. It runs great and I have not had any problems with it. I have just performed maintenance as needed. I drive long distances both for work and for fun and it is depentable and a comfortable ride.
Expremely great fuel mileage for a mid-sized sedan
Trunk space is a little small. I can fit a guitar and clothes, but not 2 guitars.
I purchased the 2017 Hybrid Malibu 12 months ago and we love it! Averages 37MPG if you drive fast and wreckless....and 42 plus if you try a little!
cheap
hasn’t been updated since 2016
The 1.5T engine has not been updated since the 2016 model year and has the lowest horsepower and fuel economy in the midsize sedan class. Additionally, there is no all-wheel drive or a hybrid powertrain option. The interior has not been updated since 2016 and is severely outdated for 2025 standards. LED headlights are only available on the highest trim level. The highest 2LT trim level does not come standard with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, or rear cross-traffic alert. For an MSRP of $30k, you’re better off buying a Toyota or Honda.
cheap
hasn't been updated since 2016 model year
The 1.5T engine of the Malibu hasn't been updated since the 2016 model year. Engine has the lowest horsepower in the midsize sedan class and uses a CVT trash-mission. Fuel economy ranks last among midsize sedans. The interior of the Malibu hasn’t been updated since the 2016 model year. The climate controls and instrument panel look like they're from 2014. No rear USB-C charging ports. The standard safety features seem reasonable for a modern car, until you realize Blind-Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control are NOT STANDARD on the HIGHEST TRIM LEVEL.
