Some of Our Favorite Features of the Malibu Over the Years

First introduced in the 1960s, the Chevy Malibu has been a staple of the auto industry for decades, even though it hasn’t been available every year since then. Discontinued in 1983, it went into a 14-year hiatus before the Malibu returned for the 1997 model with a full redesign and the launch of an all-new generation. Since then, it has been through numerous redesigns and five generations, which means you can find a lot of different models when looking for a Chevy Malibu for sale in Nashville.

Although we don’t suggest looking at used models from more than 25 years ago, there are still plenty of cool features to discover when looking at more recent options. Chevy has brought this remarkable run to an end, so we thought it would be fun to look back at the last couple of generations and some of the most interesting features they have.

2013 Chevy Malibu: The Launch of Its Eighth Generation

The 2013 Malibu is a great place to start, as it launched the eighth generation of this midsize sedan and helped bring it into the modern era of the automotive industry. Aesthetically, the 2013 Malibu was fully updated and redesigned with great features, including a raised rear deck, sweeping side view mirrors for enhanced aerodynamics, and a dual-port front grille that both looks great and helps boost air flow. Although 16-inch wheels are standard on the 2013 Malibu, numerous options are available, including 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheels for a bolder overall stance and powerful good looks.

Performance with the 2013 Malibu is fantastic, thanks to a standard 2.4L four-cylinder engine with 182 hp; this offers an estimated 25 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, making this an amazing commuter vehicle for getting around Nashville and beyond. Options on this model take performance to another level, however, including an all-new (for 2013) 2.5L EcoTec engine with 197 hp, along with a new 2.0L turbocharged engine that boosts performance to 259 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This is a big part of what makes this generation of the Malibu so much fun to drive, combined with a six-speed automatic transmission that is quite responsive. Combined with an all-new independent suspension, the result is a smooth drive with excellent ride quality for daily driving.

Although some of its tech features aren’t as flashy by today’s standards, the 2013 Malibu has a number of excellent details designed to enhance your time on the road. Features like Keyless Access with Push-Button Start, support for mobile apps, and the inclusion of the Chevrolet MyLink system all helped elevate technology to a new level with this model. The Ice Blue ambient lighting still looks fantastic, along with one of our favorite features: a little, hidden storage area located behind the available seven-inch infotainment display that’s perfect for securing small items. Perhaps best of all is the safety technology that is still available today, such as Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning.

2014 Chevy Malibu: A Quick Turnaround for a Refresh

Although there’s a lot to like about the 2013 Malibu, Chevy was quick to make some changes and update the 2014 model in a number of impressive ways. The first thing you’ll likely notice is that the front-end and grille on the 2014 Malibu are significantly different from the previous year’s model, even though this is still part of the same generation. This update and refresh for the front-end brings it more in line with the rest of the 2014 Chevy lineup, featuring styling that matches many similar models available at that time. The chrome-accented grille looks great, and available projector-beam headlamps beautifully improve visibility at night.

The interior retains everything we like about the 2013 model, including spacious seating with plenty of room for up to five passengers, with sculpted cushions for deeper seats that you just about melt into. The seven-inch screen with its hidden storage compartment remains available, which we love, along with more safety tech like an available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert that are added for the 2014 model. Performance also gets an overhaul with this model year: the 2.5L engine becomes the new standard powertrain here, with the powerful 259-hp V6 engine still available if you want to get your pulse racing a bit while driving around Nashville each day. The result is a nicely enhanced car that offers more than the 2013 model.

2016 Chevy Malibu: The Ninth (and Final) Generation Kicks Off

Jumping ahead a couple of years, the 2016 Malibu launches its ninth generation, which was the last one offered until it was discontinued just this year. The last time the Malibu was discontinued, it took 14 years for it to return. We’ll see what happens in the next decade or so. Until then, the 2016 model is a great one to check out since its all-new design and revamped features offer many of the things we love most about this car in recent years. On the outside, you have a fully revised, new exterior that looks sharp, featuring LED exterior lighting, sweeping curves along the front and sides, and more.

Standard performance now comes from a 1.5L turbo engine with 163 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, although an available 2.0L turbo engine boosts that to 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, while Chevy provides a new eight-speed automatic for the 2.0L powertrain. Handling has been improved with a MacPherson strut front suspension, a light body and frame design, and more features to enhance your time on the road. There’s even a 1.8L hybrid engine available with an estimated 47 MPG in the city and 46 MPG on the highway, delivering incredible fuel efficiency for this midsize car.

The interior of this model shows how Chevy continues to improve everything they do from one generation to the next, starting with a warm and spacious cabin with an available eight-way power driver’s seat. Satin chrome details add a touch of sophistication to the inside of this model, along with enhanced infotainment functionality, including an available eight-inch screen for the Chevrolet MyLink system—no storage area behind it, though. Support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is available for the 2016 Malibu, along with an expanded suite of available driver-assistance features like a Forward Collision Alert, Front Automatic Braking, Lane Change Alert, and a Rear Cross Traffic Alert

2019 Chevy Malibu: Refreshed and Revised Features

Finally, we have the 2019 Malibu, which gave us the last major update and refresh for this generation (although some new features can be found on later models). The 2019 Malibu has gorgeous exterior details along with a new RS trim that includes a blacked-out sport grille, Black bowtie emblem, a rear spoiler, and much more to enhance its good looks. At this point, the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system is replaced by the more modern Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, including enhanced compatibility with smartphones and apps. All of this comes together beautifully to make this a model well worth looking for.

Find the Right Malibu for Getting Around Nashville

You can see that the Malibu has had a lot of excellent features across the years, which is a big part of why so many people enjoy this car. We hoped to see an all-new model coming soon, but for now, it seems the Malibu no longer has a place in the Chevy lineup. Fortunately, you can still find plenty of excellent pre-owned Malibu models in terrific condition, complete with a wide range of great features. The model year you’re looking at will have a big impact on what you can find (as we saw), but there are all sorts of exciting features even on models from several years ago. Once you know what you want, then we can show you a variety of great online options that you’ll love driving each day.