2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Considering specifications and features, the mid-level LT trim makes the most sense. As compared to the lower trims it offers features like 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, SiriusXM satellite radio, outside heated and body-colored mirrors, larger 17-inch aluminum wheels, LED daytime running lamps, ambient lighting and driver window with express up/down. The starting price of the LT trim is $25,220, around $1,900 more than the previous trim. However, with a more desirable list of features, the LT trim is our opinion.

The 5-passenger Malibu is also a technological triumph, offering one of the best infotainment systems- Autotrader

The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is offered in five different trim configurations: L, LS, LT, Hybrid and Premier. The above-mentioned trims start at an msrp of $21,680, $23,320, $25,520, $27,920 and $31,020 respectively. A destination fee of $875 is levied over the base msrp of all the trims. The Malibu 2018 model has received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. However, most of the ADAS features are not standard and optional from LT trim onwards, meaning that the L and LS trims miss out on them. 

The L trim is pretty basic and mostly for buyers who are not concerned with creature comforts but want a commuter sedan. Some features like 16-inch steel wheels, outsider power-adjustable mirrors, keyless open and start, cruise control, 6-speaker sound system, Bluetooth connectivity and single-zone climate control as standard. The LS trim adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, rear vision camera, 7-inch touchscreen display with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and built-in 4G WiFi. Even the compass and outside temperature display are standard on the Malibu LS. 

The Malibu LT trim offers 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, SiriusXM satellite radio, outside heated and body-colored mirrors, larger 17-inch aluminum wheels, LED daytime running lamps, and ambient lighting. The Hybrid trim offers similar features as the LT trim, adding hybrid-specific instrument console and dual-zone climate control system. The Premier trim adds LED tail lamps, dual exhaust outlets, 18-inch aluminum wheels, remote vehicle starter system, 9-speaker Bose premium sound system, 8-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated seats and wireless charging as well. 

The Redline Edition Appearance Package, Sport Package, Sun and Wheel Package and Leather Package are specific to the LT trim, adding elements like blacked-out styling, rear-spoiler, power sunroof, leather-appointed and heated front seats with Bose premium sound system respectively. The Convenience and Technology Package, Driver Confidence Package I and Driver Confidence Package II are offered from LT trim onwards, offering multiple features like remote vehicle starter system, 8-inch touchscreen, automatic braking, lane keep assists, adaptive cruise control and some more driver-assistance features.

With the base 1.5-liter engine, you’ll get one of the best fuel economy ratings for a vehicle this size- Cars.USNews

With the base 1.5-liter turbo engine, the 2018 Malibu offers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27/36/30 mpg in city/highway/combined driving conditions. The Premier trim with its bigger 2.0-liter turbo engine is EPA-estimated to deliver 22/32/26 mpg in city/highway/combined driving conditions. The start-stop feature offered with the 1.5-liter engine helps in enhancing gas mileage. A combined range of 498 miles is delivered owing to its 15.8-gallon fuel tank while the Premier model with a 2.0-liter engine offers a range of 434 miles only. Therefore, Malibu is one of the best choices for short trips on your weekend.

The Honda Accord has the best mpg ratings in this segment, courtesy its fuel-efficient engine. The large fuel tank of the Hyundai Sonata helps it to achieve  better driving range in this comparison. On the other hand, the Ford Fusion has the worst mpg figures, though it is not a powerful sedan. The Chevrolet Malibu offers decent gas mileage and driving range, gaining third sport in the comparison with respect to combined driving range. 

Seat comfort is a strong point in the Malibu- Edmunds

The interior of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is everything you could ask for in a midsize sedan. The Malibu's cabin has a nice mix of materials and all the areas are softly padded. This five-seater comes standard with cloth upholstery except for the top-end Premier trim that upgrades to perforated leather seats. The front seats are comfortable and are nicely cushioned. The driver's seat is positioned properly with good outward visibility. In the Premier trim, both the front seats are power-adjustable with heated and ventilated functions. 

The interior dimensions leave nothing to be desired, considering the comfortable second row legroom. The rear seats are wide and flat and they also supply proper support for long-distance travel. The cloth upholstery is offered in Medium Ash Gray and Jet Black colors. The leather upholstery is offered in Medium Ash Gray, Jet Black and Loft Brown colors. The perforated leather upholstery in the Premier trim is offered in Medium Ash Gray, Jet Black and Loft Brown colors as well.  At 15.8 cubic feet, the Chevy Malibu's trunk is spacious but not the best in the segment. You can fold the back seats down for more storage as well.

The L and LS trims are pretty basic when it comes to interior features. Some features like steering mounted controls, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, driver information center, and acoustic laminated windshield are standard. The LT trim adds interior lights in the form of ambient lighting on the instrument panel, front door pads and map pockets, power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar control, and illuminated vanity mirrors. The Premier trim offers dual-zone climate control system, color driver information center, 6-way power-adjustable front passenger’ seat and leather upholstery  

When it comes to front-seat comfort, the Hyundai Sonata excels in this field. It offers the best head and legroom in the front row but fails to provide adequate legroom in the rear row. The Honda Accord offers good levels of passenger space in both rows. The Ford Fusion's cabin is as spacious as the Malibu but its interior quality is much better than the Malibu.  The Honda Accord offers the best cargo volume in this competition. Moreover, its trunk has a wide opening, which is not the case with its rivals. Both the Hyundai Sonata and the Ford Fusion have decent cargo capacities for a sedan, leaving behind the Malibu to the last place

The MyLink infotainment system is an impressive piece of work. A 7-inch touchscreen display is standard from LS trim onwards, while an 8-inch touchscreen is optional. But both have clear, easy-to-use on-screen menus. The system responds quickly to every input and even has features like a built-in 4G Wi-Fi hotspot if you pay for the subscription. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported as well as Chevy's OnStar telematics service except for the base L trim. A standard 6-speaker sound system is good but the sound quality from the 9-speaker Bose premium audio system in the Premier trim is really great. The interface is simple to understand and incorporates minimalism without ruining the user experience.

Some of thev key interior and infotainment features of the 2018 Malibu are:

• Power front heated & ventilated seats 
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Remote engine start
• 115V rear power outlet
• Ambient lighting
• 7 & 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless charging
• 9-speaker Bose premium audio system
• Wi-Fi hotspot

Chevy’s Malibu has a look that’s sporty and current- Carfax

The 2018 Malibu looks much like other Chevrolet cars, including the Cruze. In general, it looks a little anonymous and doesn't really push the envelope in terms of styling for a midsize four-door sedan. Upfront, the headlights are halogen throughout the range but LED DRLs and taillights are standard from the LT trim onwards. The Malibu has the lowest ground clearance in this segment but that benefits in smooth and effective handling. A lower curb weight helps with enhanced maneuverability in urban conditions. The exterior colors on offer are Summit White, Pearl Tricoat, Silver Ice Metallic, Pepperdust Metallic, Gray Metallic, Cajun Red, Blue Metallic, Velvet Metallic and Black Metallic. 

The Malibu gets 16-inch wheels as standard on the L and LS trims, while 17-inch wheels are standard on the LT trim. The Premier trim gets 18-inch wheels as standard. The 19-inch wheels are optional. With a wheelbase of 111.4 inches, the Malibu is almost on par with most of its rivals. Around the back, the sloping roofline adds a good taste to it. The optional Redline Edition package adds black front & rear bowties, 19-inch gloss black wheels with red hash marks, a blacked-out grille, black Malibu badges with a red outline, and black mirror caps. The available Sun and Wheel Packages add a power sunroof in LT and Premier trims.

The ground clearance of the Honda Accord is 1.2 inches more than the Malibu. Therefore, you don't have to worry much about its underbody getting scrapped. The heavy curb weight of the Ford Fusion is the sole reason for its sluggish acceleration, while its longer wheelbase helps with improved stability. The Hyundai Sonata's wheelbase is the shortest here and hence, it affects its rear legroom badly. However, a shorter wheelbase helps with improved maneuverability in urban conditions. The lower curb weight of Malibu helps with lower fuel consumption. 

Some of the key exterior features of the 2018 Malibu are mentioned below:

• Halogen headlights
• LED DRLs & taillights
• Door courtesy lights
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Chrome door handles
• Dual exhaust tips
• Black grille with chrome accents
• Silver window trim
• 17, 18 & 19-inch aluminum wheels

The Chevy Malibu does well in crash tests, but it's missing a few safety bits- The Car Connection

The Chevy Malibu received five out of five stars for its safety from NHTSA, which is really good. It also received a great response from IIHS too. The 'Top Safety Pick' award was given to the Malibu for its great crash-test results. This is the second-highest accolade from the agency. However, it received the lowest 'Poor' rating for its headlights. 

The base L trim does not come with any advanced safety features while the LS trim adds a rearview camera. The LT and Premier models have the option to upgrade to the $1,245 Driver Confidence package that adds a long list of driver assistance features. These features can prevent the risk of an accident and keep the passengers safe. Some of Malibu's rivals offer few driver-assistance features as standard. 

Some of the key safety features of the 2018 Malibu are: 

• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Seat Reminder
• Lane Keep Assist
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Low-Speed Front Automatic Braking
• Follow Distance Indicator
• Teen Driver
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors
• Front Pedestrian Braking

2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord has the highest starting price in this competition but it certainly deserves it. Although its engine is powerful, it has one of the best fuel economies in this segment. The Accord's interior feels much better than the Malibu and also offers spacious rear seats. Its trunk volume is slightly more than the Malibu. The Accord earns a lot of points in terms of safety as it offers many safety techs as standard. 

2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Ford Fusion

Although the Ford Fusion's base engine makes more power than the Malibu, its offers lackluster acceleration. Also, this engine displays poor fuel efficiency. Like the Malibu, the Fusion offers decent passenger space and trunk volume but its standard infotainment system is outdated. The Fusion is also a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and comes with a good amount of driver-assist technologies. 

2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata makes 25 horses more than the Malibu but it isn't as efficient as the Malibu. It also offers a comfortable and gentle ride like the Malibu. Inside, the Sonata offers a great deal of space in the front row but lacks rear legroom. On the positive side, it offers a larger trunk. The Sonata was honored with the 'Top Safety Pick+' award and offers more standard safety features than the Malibu. 

In out opinion, there is no real reason to not consider the Chevrolet Malibu. In almost every aspect, it runs right down in the middle of the midsize sedan segment. It is a great option for somebody who needs a roomy midsize car easy to live with. While it might not set the new standard among midsize sedans, the Malibu has proven itself to be affordable, likable and most of all, recommendable. Surely, Chevy's midsize sedan is a good car in terms of fuel economy, driving range, infotainment system and even second row legroom