LIKES
- Decent value
- Wireless smartphone tech
- Clean styling
- Composed ride
DISLIKES
- No more big engine
- Base model doesn’t impress
- A hybrid would be nice
- Devoid of personality
BUYING TIP
- The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu works well enough in mid-level LT trim.
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu does little to stand out, but that may be just fine for your needs.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu? What does it compare to?
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu is the last Detroit-badged mid-size sedan. Shop it against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord as well as the Subaru Legacy and Kia K5.
Is the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?
It’s good enough, but make sure to shop its competition. Overall, we rate the 2023 Malibu at 5.0 out of 10.
What's new for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu?
Automatic emergency braking is finally standard this year. Chevrolet also jettisoned the Premier trim and its 2.0-liter turbo-4, replacing it with a new 2LT that uses the same 1.5-liter turbo-4 on other trims but includes leather seats and the option to add a few other features.
We can say the same about its 160-hp 1.5-liter turbo-4, which is down on power against competitors but feels fleet enough thanks to a decent continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). More impressive is the Malibu’s composed ride and highway stability.
Look for as high as 36 mpg on the highway, or 32 mpg combined. That’s not bad, but a hybrid version would be nice.
Inside, the Malibu comes with a decent infotainment system with wireless smartphone compatibility, but its design is dull. Front- and rear-seat space impresses, though, and the trunk is on the large side for the class.
Even with this year’s addition of automatic emergency braking, however, the Malibu has a mixed crash-test record including a four-star rating from the NHTSA and so-so scores from the IIHS.
How much does the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu cost?
We expect that the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu will stick with a $25,000-ish base price, and climb to a bit above $30,000 with options. The LT trim lands squarely in the middle and it comes with a few worthwhile features.
Where is the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu made?
In Kansas City, Kansas.
Styling
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu wears clean, conservative lines.
Is the Chevrolet Malibu a good-looking car?
It’s a great choice for drivers not looking to stand out. The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu has a sloping, almost coupe-like profile that lends some visual excitement, and its Coke bottle-esque curves are appealing enough.
Up front, the wide grille opening wears chrome trim on some versions, and it sits below a low-slung hood. Standard 16-inch alloy wheels look dowdy on the LS, but all other versions dazzle when it comes to rolling stock.
Performance
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu offers a comfortable, relaxed ride.
Is the Chevrolet Malibu 4WD?
No, all Malibu models are front-wheel drive.
How fast is the Chevrolet Malibu?
The engine is quiet and refined, too.
Even with the RS trim’s 18-inch alloy wheels, the Malibu has a soft, composed ride. Excellent highway stability makes it a good choice for road trips, too. The electric power steering system has a consistent feel, though it’s not tuned for excitement.
Overall, we rate the Malibu at 5 out of 10. It doesn’t do much to stand out for its performance.
Comfort & Quality
It’s light on thrills, but the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu has a spacious, airy cabin.
There are more exciting choices than the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, but drivers looking for good space will find a lot to like here. We rate the Malibu at 6 out of 10 thanks to decent trunk volume.
It takes stepping up to LT trim for a power-adjustable driver’s seat. No matter the trim, the front seats have decent support. Rear-seat riders will find 38 inches of leg room. The 15.7-cubic-foot trunk is fairly big for the class.
LS models can feel particularly basic inside, but the RS and higher come with nicer materials. The 2LT wears nice leather trim.
Safety
Chevy finally made automatic emergency braking standard on the 2023 Malibu.
How safe is the Chevrolet Malibu?
This year’s model is off to a better start than last year. The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu scores 4 out of 10 on the TCC scale due to so-so crash-test results, however.
The IIHS gives it mixed overall ratings including a concerning “Moderate” score in the small-overlap frontal test, while the NHTSA says it’s a four-star model.
Features
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu isn’t a bad deal, but it’s light on pizazz.
We score the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu at 5 out of 10. It’s a perfectly average score for a perfectly average car. The lineup starts in Malibu LS guise for around $25,000—we’ll update this space when we have exact pricing. That money buys an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keyless start, 16-inch alloy wheels, and automatic emergency braking.
The Malibu RS costs about $1,000 more and adds 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and a few other niceties.
A 3-year/36,000-mile warranty comes standard.
We’d skip the RS in favor of the Malibu LT, which runs about $27,500 and adds heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
How much is a fully loaded Chevrolet Malibu?
This year’s lineup tops out with the new 2LT, which adds leather trim, cooled front seats, and Bose audio as well as the option for adaptive cruise control. Look for it to cost around $30,500 to start.
Fuel Economy
The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu delivers decent fuel economy.
Is the Chevrolet Malibu good on gas?
It’s better than an equivalent SUV. The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu comes in a single configuration, which the EPA rates at 29 mpg city, 36 highway, 32 combined. That’s good for a 4 on our scale. Unlike its Toyota and Honda rivals, however, there’s no hybrid version.
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