New 2026 Chevy Malibu MPG, Pictures, Reviews
New 2026 Chevy Malibu MPG, Pictures, Reviews – My excellent editor and I had the same reaction when it came time to assess the New 2026 Chevrolet Malibu: Does Chevrolet still manufacture the Malibu? Despite being in use for ages, this model appears to have been forgotten.
Additionally, the Malibu is the final remaining Chevy sedan while automakers are switching from sedans to SUVs. Starting at $25,248 for the LS, it goes on to $37,848 for the RS, LT, and top-line Premier. With options, my LT, which started at $27,748, increased to $33,818 before taxes and freight.
Table of Contents
New 2026 Chevy Malibu Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
One reason the Malibu is still around is its popularity with fleets, and only the practical survive and thrive there. The trunk is about mid-pack with competitive sedans – larger than the Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima, for example, but smaller than the Hyundai Sonata or Honda Accord. Up front, the Malibu does a decent job for small-item storage, with an open console cubby and wonderfully long and large door pockets. New 2026 Chevy Malibu MPG
New 2026 Chevy Malibu Specs
Although the Malibu is a fleet warrior, even the base LS comes relatively well-stocked, with air conditioning, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, although you have to pay a subscription to keep it going once the trial period expires. At my LT level, additional standard features included LED running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, a power driver’s seat, remote start, heated seats, and satellite radio.
Move up to the Premier and it tops out with all the safety assist items that were optional on my car, plus LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, auto-dimming mirrors, a 120-volt outlet, heated steering wheel, sunroof, premium stereo, navigation, and leather-clad heated and ventilated seats.
Engine and Performance
All but the Premier use a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine, making 163 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, that’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Put your foot into it, and the smaller engine is peppy enough off the line, and it settles into a fairly smooth cruising mode. It doesn’t sound powerful, however, because the CVT has an annoying drone that sounds like everything’s working too hard to make something happen. New 2026 Chevy Malibu MPG
New 2026 Chevy Malibu Fuel Economy
During my week with it, I averaged 8.0 L/100 km, which I thought was more than reasonable for a car its size. Mind you, automakers have been doing very well with vehicles in this segment overall, and while the Malibu is among the fuel-sippiest of its competitors for that 7.5 L/100 km combined, most are close to or below 8.0 L/100 km as well. New 2026 Chevy Malibu MPG
New 2026 Chevy Malibu Safety Features
But if you want higher-tech safety assist features, they’re only available as options on the LT, or included with the Premier trim level. My tester was equipped with lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, emergency front braking with pedestrian detection, rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert. But it was part of a $4,500 LT Plus Package that also included leather seats, auto-dimming mirrors, and a power sunroof; but not adaptive cruise control, which is unique to the Premier trim. New 2026 Chevy Malibu MPG
New 2026 Chevy Malibu Price and Release Date
At a starting price of $25,248, the Malibu undercuts the base price of pretty much everything in its segment. Among them, the Toyota Camry starts at $26,620; Hyundai’s Sonata at $26,999; the Honda Accord at $28,705; and the Mazda6 at $27,350.
My tester started at $27,748, and I’d probably add the LT Plus Package at $4,200, but leave off the $995 worth of blacked-out trim. That would give me the fancier interior and driver assist items, and still be a few dollars below $32,000. The purchase price also includes two years or 24,0000 km of scheduled oil changes. New 2026 Chevy Malibu MPG
