Malibu’s performance can be characterized as a sluggish and underpowered sedan. The 2024 model comes as the ninth generation model that was launched almost a decade ago, and it had undergone very few changes when compared to the 2023 model. The 2024 model comes with a 1.5-liter Turbocharged Inline-4 engine that comes with a 1-speed CVT that produces 163 horsepower redlining at 5700 rpm, and 184 pound-feet of torque that redlines at 3000 rpm. This midsize sedan is not the fastest in its price range or segment and feels criminally underpowered. It goes for 0-60 in 8.4 seconds and goes up to 130 mph. Also, it only comes with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive is not available in this car. All of the three trims come with the same engine. And overall it can be said that the Malibu delivers an adequate amount of power and ample performance, however, when compared to its competitors it is quite slow and sluggish.
Models
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Chevrolet Malibu
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Honda Accord
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Kia K5
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Subaru Legacy
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MSRP
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$25,100
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$28,000
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$28,015
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$25,985
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Engine
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1.5-liter Turbocharged Inline-4
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1.5-liter iVTEC Turbo 4-cylinder
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1.6-liter Turbo Inlne-4
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2.5-liter H-4
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Drivetrain
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FWD
|
FWD
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FWD
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AWD
|
Transmission
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1-speed CVT
|
1-speed CVT
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8-speed automatic
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8-speed CVT
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Power (horsepower)
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163 hp @ 5700 rpm
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192 hp @ 6000 rpm
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180 hp @ 5500 rpm
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182 hp @ 5500 rpm
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Torque
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184 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
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192 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
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195 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
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176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
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0 to 60 MPH
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8.4 seconds
|
7 seconds
|
6.2 seconds
|
6 seconds
|
Quarter Mile
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N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Top Speed
|
130 mph
|
130 mph
|
N/A
|
130 mph
|
In terms of both power and performance, at first position comes the Subaru Legacy, which even after being one of the cheapest of the bunch delivers quite an amazing performance, it goes from 0-60 in just 6 seconds and goes up to 130 mph. In the second position comes the powerful Kia K5, which easily goes from 60 to 0 in just 6.2 seconds and is closely behind the Legacy. And now in third position comes the Honda Accord, which easily goes from 0-60 in 7 seconds and goes all the way up to 130 mph. And at last, position comes Chevrolet Malibu which is the slowest among the four vehicles and its engine feels quite sluggish and underpowered, it goes from 0-60 in 8.4 seconds which is quite slow when compared to its competitors and has a top speed around 130 mph.
2024 Chevrolet Malibu Ride and Handling
The Malibu is quite an easy car to drive however during long drives it won't feel as comfortable when going for short drives, other than that it is also pretty quiet inside the cabin. This midsize sedan comes with MacPherson front suspension and 4-link rear suspension which suppression the jerking on bumps and potholes quite well. And along with the competent chassis, the vehicle offers quite comfortable short rides but when it comes to long rides, it will just make you want to go home as soon as possible. The handling of this car is also quite good and easy, it also feels quite stable around the corners with an average amount of body roll. So overall the ride and handling performance makes it a good car in its segment. However, it lacks the features which its rivals come with, but somehow it manages against them. Well, whatever the car delivers in terms of ride and handling is just as good to make people add this vehicle to their list.
2024 Chevrolet Malibu Braking Performance
The Malibu is the only sedan that is offered by Chevrolet and the braking in this midsize sedan is quite average for its price and segment, however, it is known for its smooth and quite responsive braking, other than that it comes with no many but adequate amounts of features that are available as standard and enhance it's the overall braking of this vehicle, some of the features that get the limelight when it comes to the car’s overall braking are Automatic Emergency Braking, Stability Control with Brake Assist, etc. Also, the front and rear brake rotors are quite decent in terms of size. The size of the front brake rotors is around 11.8 inches and the rear brakes are around 11.3 inches in size. So overall the braking of the Malibu is neither the best nor the worst, it just just as average as the car.
Model
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Chevrolet Malibu
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Honda Accord
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Kia K5
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Subaru Legacy
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Brake Rotors (front) (in)
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11.8
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N/A
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12
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12.4
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Brake Rotors (rear) (in)
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11.3
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N/A
|
11.2
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11.8
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Curb Weight (lbs)
|
3135
|
3239
|
3228
|
3491
|
60-0 (-ft)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
In terms of overall braking, the first position is taken by the Honda Accord, as it comes with very responsive and smooth brake, along with tons of features that enhance its already impressive braking. It comes with tons of features regarding safety which many of its competitors fail to provide. Now in the second position comes the Kia K5 with average brake rotors that stop the vehicle quickly and also quite smoothly. And in the third position, comes the Subaru Legacy which offers smooth, responsive, and stable braking that is delivered with the large brake rotors, and it also comes with many advanced braking features. At last, position comes the Chevrolet Malibu, which offers smooth and okayish braking performance also it offers the least amount of braking features offered among the four vehicles, and falls behind the other three vehicles as they offer more and better.