Tech Highlights and Features for the Chevy Malibu

When shopping for a car, we know how overwhelming it can sometimes feel to keep track of many different makes, models, and options. If you’re looking for a used Chevy Malibu for sale in Indianapolis, you can still quickly end up with a whole host of different features and options to try to keep track of. Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to help. It makes things a lot easier if you narrow your vision and focus on just a few different model years and some key features in them, making it easier to know what you’re looking for and go from there. So today, we thought we’d look at the Chevy Malibu throughout the 2020 to 2023 model years and focus on the kinds of tech features and options available for it. This should make it easier to point you in the right direction as you explore different models, and you’ll know what to watch for to get the desired features.

Tech Highlights of the 2020 Chevy Malibu

As you’re looking at different Chevy Malibu models from the past few years and exploring your options, there are a few important things to note. For starters, the current ninth generation of the Malibu kicked off with the 2016 model year, but there was a mid-generation refresh and update for the 2019 model. So, as we check out the tech features in the 2020 Malibu, you should keep in mind that many of these are mainly unchanged from the update from the previous year. Going with a pre-owned 2020 Malibu can still give you a vehicle with less use, but if you find two great options from 2019 and 2020, you can find similar features on both.

Along with an exterior update and restyling for 2019, the 2020 Malibu enjoys an interior that was enhanced the previous years. First and foremost, regarding tech with this update, an eight-inch infotainment display with a revised Chevy Infotainment 3 system became the new standard. This means every 2020 Malibu you look at will have an impressive eight-inch display right up front and center, making it easy to keep track of directions, play your music, and use other apps. Along with this, a second eight-inch Driver Information Center is also standard on all 2020 Malibu models, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything when it comes to these two screens.

If you’re interested in a Malibu with built-in navigation functionality, you’ll want to look for a 2020 Premier model, which includes it as standard. A six-speaker sound system is standard on L, LS, RS, and LT Malibu models from 2020, while the highest Premier trim comes with a nine-speaker Bose Premium sound system. Every model supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Premier trim has a wireless charging pad. Overall, you can see that for a car sold as new five years ago, the tech features on this one are pretty modern and ready to improve your time driving around Indianapolis each day.

Updates and Changes for the 2021 Malibu

Moving from the 2020 to 2021 model year, changes to Malibu’s tech features are minimal since it had been thoroughly updated only a couple of years prior. However, this is a good thing because it means you can explore a wide range of options while shopping for a pre-owned Malibu without worrying about missing out on anything. You’ll find the same eight-inch displays inside the 2021 Malibu, and navigation functionality remains standard on the Premier model, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard on all trims. In terms of tech to help keep you comfortable while driving in Indianapolis, the LT and Premier models both come with heated front seats, while heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on the Premier trim. These are perfect on cold winter mornings and can make your daily commute far more enjoyable, so keep that in mind while looking at what’s out there.

Trim Level Shakeup for the 2022 Chevy Malibu

The most significant change to note for the 2022 model year is that Chevy cleaned up the trim levels available for the Malibu, simplifying things and improving standard features. The L model that had previously been the starting option is eliminated for the 2022 model year, so the LS becomes the new starting level for this midsize sedan. While the LS itself has not changed much from before, the standard features on the Malibu have been enhanced through this update.

Regarding tech, the 2022 Malibu LS comes with keyless open and start, perfect for those mornings when you’re struggling to get going, along with the eight-inch infotainment and Driver Information displays we’ve come to expect. The LS, RS, and LT models still come with a six-speaker sound system, while the Premier model features the nine-speaker Bose Premium sound system. RS and higher trims now come with standard eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seats, which is a nice bonus. If you’re looking for features like dual-zone climate control, remote start functionality, and similar enhancements, you’ll want to look for an LT or Premier model.

Notable Changes for the 2023 Malibu

For the 2023 model year, Chevy once again shook things up with the trim levels by altering the top end of what’s available for the Malibu. When we started things off with the 2020 model year, there were L, LS, RS, LT, and Premier models to choose from, and the 2022 shakeup trimmed that down to LS, RS, LT, and Premier. For the 2023 model year, the Premier trim was eliminated as the pinnacle option, along with its 2.0L turbocharged engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. We hadn’t mentioned that engine earlier because we’ve been focusing on technology, but if you want its enhanced performance, look for a Malibu Premier model from before 2023.

After eliminating the Premier trim, Chevy kept four options for trim levels: a starting LS, then the RS, followed by a 1LT, and a new 2LT option as the pinnacle model. Besides this change in name and the discontinued 2.0L engine, the Malibu lineup rolls into 2023 much the same as previous years. You’ll find the two eight-inch displays inside, keyless open and start, remote keyless entry, and wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, all standard. The RS trim adds the eight-way power driver’s seat, while both the 1LT and 2LT have heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, and other amenities that are perfect for getting around Indianapolis all year round. You still get the wireless charging pad, navigation, and nine-speaker Bose Premium sound system in the pinnacle 2LT, even though the name has changed.

What Tech Features Do You Want for Driving Around Indianapolis?

As you’ve seen, the differences between one year and the next in terms of tech features can be pretty minimal ever since the 2019 mid-generation update for the Chevy Malibu. There are some notable things and a few improvements or changes from one year to the next, but thankfully, they’ve been relatively minor overall. This works in your favor as you don’t have to be focused on one specific model year at the exclusion of everything else. Instead, you can decide on some key features like the large eight-inch displays or heated front seats, and then look at different Malibu models from 2020 and later with an eye for the trim levels that you know will include them. This makes things much easier as you shop for a vehicle and helps you find everything you’ve been looking for.