A Used Chevy Malibu Could be the Right Car for You

Who doesn’t love a great car at a great price? Sure, we know that there are plenty of exceptional used sedans on the market that will put a major dent in your budget if you buy, lease, or finance them. If you buy one of those used cars for sale, you’ll be really happy until you realize that you don’t have any cash left over to fill up the gas tank. Similarly, there are plenty of mediocre vehicles for sale that you can snap up for a song. But will you really be happy driving around in a less than optimal car that gives you nothing but trouble?

Besides, if you buy one of these lemons, you’re going to spend so much time on repairs and loaner cars that you will quickly lose whatever savings you thought you got when you first bought it. You need to know that the used car you are buying will be dependable. You also don’t want to compromise between quality and price. The good news is that if you buy a used Chevy Malibu, you won’t have to make this Hobson’s Choice since you are getting a great car at an amazingly affordable price.

That is because the Chevy Malibu is one of the best affordable sedans on the market, so buying one used gives you the ability to realize savings without compromising on performance. If you are in the market for a used Chevy Malibu, stop by our dealership in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here at McCluskey Chevrolet, we offer excellent new, used, and pre-owned vehicles at exceptional prices with one of the top service departments ready to assist you.

Malibu Generations

When you are in the market for a used car, you need to know the difference between the various generations of the car that you are looking for. This is no different if you are interested in buying a used Chevy Malibu. Each time the automaker makes major changes in one of its vehicles, this newly updated model is referred to as a new generation. The Chevy Malibu was originally introduced to the market for the 1964 model year just in time for the Beatles to lead the British Invasion.

After its introduction, the Malibu remained in production until the 1983 model year. The folks at Chevrolet then retired the Malibu name for over a year before re-introducing it to the public as a whole new sedan in time for the 1997 model year. Since that time, the Chevy Malibu hasn’t looked back and is currently in its ninth vehicle generation.

The two most common Chevy Malibu models you are likely to come across in your search are the eighth generation (introduced for the 2013 model year) and the ninth generation (introduced for the 2016 model year). Within each generation, there are also some slight variations, like an upgrade to an infotainment system, a different transmission offered, or some interior or exterior cosmetic changes. However, for the most part, each generation is a fairly cohesive model.

All Malibus are 4-door, 5-passenger sedans, so it is good to know a bit about the obvious differences that differentiate between the model years. For instance, the eighth generation of the Malibu has a fairly tight wheelbase of only 107.8 inches, giving it a slightly snubbed look. In contrast, the ninth generation Chevy Malibu is sleeker and more aerodynamic, due in large part to an extended wheelbase of 111.4 inches.

What Drives You?

One of the most important things if you are buying a car is what is under the hood and the chassis. You need to know the engine types, transmissions, and drivetrains of your prospective purchase. For the Chevy Malibu, both the eighth and ninth generations are all front-wheel drive. Chevrolet does not offer the Malibu with an all-wheel drive system. However, there is a choice of powertrains for your Chevy Malibu, and this can help you decide which used Malibu to buy.

Both generations of Malibu offer three choices of engine. The eighth-generation came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine as the standard powertrain. For the 2013 model year, this engine produces 197 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway. But for the 2014 and 2015 model years, it had 196 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. This solid fuel efficiency is part of what makes the Malibu a great commuter sedan.

The Malibu was also offered with a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder gas engine that produces a stronger 259 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The fuel economy is only a little less impressive, with 21 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. Like the 2.5L, this engine was uprated for the 2014 and 2015 model years, producing 259 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, but with the same fuel economy. Still, either 2.0-liter turbo option generates better overall pickup than the base engine.

The Malibu Eco came with the third engine option, a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with a hybrid system. This produces 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, with the best fuel economy of this generation. With the Malibu Eco, you can enjoy 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. However, the Malibu Eco was discontinued after the 2013 model year because of the more efficient base engine in the 2014 and 2015 vehicles.

The ninth-generation has seen Chevrolet truly embrace the alternative energy movement, giving the Malibu a full hybrid system. The Malibu Hybrid comes equipped with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and a 76 kW electric motor capable of producing up to 182 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Also, unlike the eighth generation’s Malibu Eco, the ninth generation Malibu Hybrid produces an incredible fuel economy of 47 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway. It also has tremendous pickup for a hybrid, going an astounding 0 to 60 mph in only 7.5 seconds.

One thing that Chevrolet did to boost the fuel economy numbers on the Malibu was to introduce an auto stop/start system with the 2016 model year. This automatically turns off the engine when you come to a stop at a traffic light, then restarts the engine as soon as you take your foot off the brake. This works to reduce fuel usage and the car’s emissions. As a result, the ninth generation Malibu has great fuel economy numbers.

The base engine on the ninth generation Malibu is a 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder gas engine that produces 160 horsepower and 184 pounds to feet of torque. It produces an exceptional 27 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway. These numbers are better than those of the eighth generation’s Malibu Eco. The other engine option is a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder that produces 250 horsepower and 260 pounds to feet of torque. It also gets great mileage, 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

Unlike the eighth generation, the ninth-generation Chevy Malibu also has a number of different transmissions. Originally it came with a 6-speed automatic for the base engine and an 8-speed automatic for the 2.0L option. But for the 2019 model year, these were replaced with a continuously variable transmission and a 9-speed automatic. This upgrade gave a further small improvement to fuel economy.

What’s in a Trim?

One vital piece of information you will need in deciding which used Chevy Malibu to buy is the trim level. Automakers frequently change the names of their trims when they make a generational move, so you can’t assume that a trim level from the current generation is the same as that of an earlier model.

For the eighth generation Malibu, Chevrolet offered four trim levels: the base LS, the middle LT, and the top trim LTZ, plus the specialized hybrid Eco. But the ninth generation has six trims. Originally, this was: the L, the LS, the 1LT, the 2LT, and the top-of-the-line Premier, plus the Hybrid. However, the 1LT and 2LT trims were later combined into a single LT trim, and an additional sporty RS trim was added.

That’s Infotainment!

Infotainment systems have become a key feature on most vehicles, and the technological revolution has meant that a system that was state-of-the-art ten years ago is barely useful with today’s smartphones. The eighth-generation Chevy Malibu came with the GM MyLink system that provides Bluetooth connectivity. However, if you desire to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, then you will need to buy a ninth-generation Malibu, which features the Chevy Infotainment 3 system with this capability.

Also, Chevrolet introduced the Teen Driver system with the 2016 model year Malibu. This is especially helpful if you are buying your used Malibu for a young driver in your household. Teen Driver allows you to set a limit on the volume of the infotainment system and provides you with a report card on the young driver’s performance. It is like having an onboard chaperone.

Buying a used Chevy Malibu will provide you with exceptional value and tons of driving pleasure. If you are looking for a sedan that will give you everything you want in a car without breaking the bank, then a used Chevy Malibu is the car for you. So get out there and start looking for your perfect used Malibu!