I had a ninth gen 'Bu (1.5L LT Trim) as a rental last week. Some thoughts: -Ride quality and NVH are as good as Tom claims. -Unbelievable how flat this car corners for a front engine, front wheel drive, family sedan. -Good, though not great steering feel. -The 1.5T has enough power, trust me. It never feels slow. -Transmission was expertly programmed. Operates seamlessly. -The GM head unit for the radio and Apple Car Play is good, but not as good as the one in my 2015 Volkswagen Golf (too restrictive when moving). -Center console is unbelievably large and very useful. My major complaints are twofold. One, the plastic on the doors. Too much of it, needs some softer touch materials on the door. My other major complaint is the fuel tank is too small for a mid size sedan. Even though the Malibu will get good fuel economy (in my week of having the car I averaged 32 MPG, about par for the course for a mid size family sedan), the tank size completely offsets that by not offering enough gallons of gas. And no, the stop start system, even one as seamless and unnoticeable as GM's, is not enough to offset the small tank size. Other than that, I'd be fine buying one. I'd probably look closest though at the hybrid trim because I believe with the modified Volt power train this car would make a lot better use of the small fuel tank.
I agree with you on the door panels, it's something I should have commented on. I'm hoping to get the hybrid version, it sounds like the tech is pretty solid, especially after the mild hybrid systems that GM has had in the past.
+Driven Car Reviews I hope so! The hybrid version seems really well priced and looks like a great value, even with the cheap gas prices now. If only GM had left the fuel tank alone I feel this would be a real segment winner.
I bought a '16 Malibu Premier on February 12th. I bought it with Confidence packages 1 & 2 without the sunroof which is exactly like the one in the video except in the premium Crystal Red Tintcoat. I love this color red! When properly cleaned and waxed it seems to give a very deep glow. I bought it used from Enterprise car sales that was never a rental, but a temporary lease for a corporate customer. The car only had 8,100 miles on it when I bought it. It was listed on their site for $24,999 and being an employee I got it for $23,000. I bought a lightly used Malibu Premier with most to all available features for the same cost as an entry Malibu 1LT! Love the car and that it was a steal.
NoBreyner60 I bought my 2017 Malibu 1LT for $16,800 with 42k miles on it. My car came with the smaller 1.5L i4 engine (non-turbo). The car looks great but I sure wish that it was like yours, a Premier model.
Just bought one yesterday. Sun and wheels package all the bells and whistles leather. Sunroof my wife loves it . It was this or a Cadillac and I hate Cadillacs glad I talked her into this.
I had high hopes for this car until I stopped by to see one in person. I was very disappointed at the quality of the plastic on the doors and dash. Then I noticed how much narrower the interior is than my Accord. The analog gauges also look cheap compare to what its competition sports. Chevy listened to their owners, I believe so because they must be used to all the cheap touches. They should listen to their competition's owners if they want to sell cars to new owners and not rental operators.
That's the only thing holding me back from buying this car, The cheap interior. Cause I only want the premier model with the sunroof, But I may have to get this with the black leather interior though
Its a good car overall. I own one myself with 11,7xx miles now within 7 months. I can understand the cheap plastic here and there but overall its very quite inside. The gauges are perfect and Im coming from a Kia so interior space its huge. Last of all I once owned a 01' Accord so I do know the proportions of that car as well.
recommended but not mandatory. at least that's what chevy's press room webpage said. if you put regular it will probably adjust the timing to not cause engine knock
I've been running my Premier on regular since I bought it two months ago. You lose a bit of horsepower and a slight amount of fuel economy. I drive very conservatively and my trip says that I've been getting 32.1 MPG on regular unleaded over 266 miles.
No, it does not require premium fuel. Though, it is reccomeneded to get the full 250HP/258LB-FT and 33 mpg highway from it. I've already seen some reviewers and owners get as much as 35-36 mpg on the highway with the 2.0T Malibu. The Accord and Camry may offer V6's, but here, the Malibu is lightest in its class and the turbo's torque curve starts in the 1,500-2,000 rpm range all the way up to 5,000 rpm.
kn7gez -- the 2017 Malibu premier with the new 9 speed automatic will run 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds in the quarter mile at 14.3 at almost 100 mph top speed is Limited at 156 mph not a slow car.
![ROSÉ(로제) - APT. (Band VER.) (With. 이영지) [더 시즌즈-이영지의 레인보우] | KBS 241129 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IW8qaemx74g/mqdefault.jpg)
Just saw one on the road- stunningly gorgeous!
your reviews are the best, keep it up NY times!
I'd like to see Chevrolet give the Malibu a V6 sport model to seriously compete with the new Ford Fusion Sport!!!!
I had a ninth gen 'Bu (1.5L LT Trim) as a rental last week. Some thoughts:
-Ride quality and NVH are as good as Tom claims.
-Unbelievable how flat this car corners for a front engine, front wheel drive, family sedan.
-Good, though not great steering feel.
-The 1.5T has enough power, trust me. It never feels slow.
-Transmission was expertly programmed. Operates seamlessly.
-The GM head unit for the radio and Apple Car Play is good, but not as good as the one in my 2015 Volkswagen Golf (too restrictive when moving).
-Center console is unbelievably large and very useful.
My major complaints are twofold. One, the plastic on the doors. Too much of it, needs some softer touch materials on the door. My other major complaint is the fuel tank is too small for a mid size sedan. Even though the Malibu will get good fuel economy (in my week of having the car I averaged 32 MPG, about par for the course for a mid size family sedan), the tank size completely offsets that by not offering enough gallons of gas. And no, the stop start system, even one as seamless and unnoticeable as GM's, is not enough to offset the small tank size.
Other than that, I'd be fine buying one. I'd probably look closest though at the hybrid trim because I believe with the modified Volt power train this car would make a lot better use of the small fuel tank.
I agree with you on the door panels, it's something I should have commented on. I'm hoping to get the hybrid version, it sounds like the tech is pretty solid, especially after the mild hybrid systems that GM has had in the past.
+Driven Car Reviews I hope so! The hybrid version seems really well priced and looks like a great value, even with the cheap gas prices now.
If only GM had left the fuel tank alone I feel this would be a real segment
winner.
I bought a '16 Malibu Premier on February 12th. I bought it with Confidence packages 1 & 2 without the sunroof which is exactly like the one in the video except in the premium Crystal Red Tintcoat. I love this color red! When properly cleaned and waxed it seems to give a very deep glow. I bought it used from Enterprise car sales that was never a rental, but a temporary lease for a corporate customer. The car only had 8,100 miles on it when I bought it. It was listed on their site for $24,999 and being an employee I got it for $23,000.
I bought a lightly used Malibu Premier with most to all available features for the same cost as an entry Malibu 1LT! Love the car and that it was a steal.
NoBreyner60
I bought my 2017 Malibu 1LT for $16,800 with 42k miles on it. My car came with the smaller 1.5L i4 engine (non-turbo). The car looks great but I sure wish that it was like yours, a Premier model.
16.500
25.000miles
I like it better when you review cars I could never afford.
There are plenty of those coming.
I like Pizza
perfectly all in one, adorable...
good job chevy
Just bought one yesterday. Sun and wheels package all the bells and whistles leather. Sunroof my wife loves it . It was this or a Cadillac and I hate Cadillacs glad I talked her into this.
Sorry EV is what I want. A 20k EV with 200 mile range would have been perfect.
Malibu the car for old people
Nice car
nice
I had high hopes for this car until I stopped by to see one in person. I was very disappointed at the quality of the plastic on the doors and dash. Then I noticed how much narrower the interior is than my Accord. The analog gauges also look cheap compare to what its competition sports. Chevy listened to their owners, I believe so because they must be used to all the cheap touches. They should listen to their competition's owners if they want to sell cars to new owners and not rental operators.
That's the only thing holding me back from buying this car, The cheap interior. Cause I only want the premier model with the sunroof, But I may have to get this with the black leather interior though
Its a good car overall. I own one myself with 11,7xx miles now within 7 months. I can understand the cheap plastic here and there but overall its very quite inside. The gauges are perfect and Im coming from a Kia so interior space its huge. Last of all I once owned a 01' Accord so I do know the proportions of that car as well.
Do the Audi A4 please
Where do they review these cars plz answer me
I'm in the Seattle area.
does this 2.0 T require Premium Fuel ?
Umair Osman Yes
recommended but not mandatory. at least that's what chevy's press room webpage said. if you put regular it will probably adjust the timing to not cause engine knock
I've been running my Premier on regular since I bought it two months ago. You lose a bit of horsepower and a slight amount of fuel economy. I drive very conservatively and my trip says that I've been getting 32.1 MPG on regular unleaded over 266 miles.
Is this a reliable car? Please help
Why does Tom refer to a "boot" in a U.S. made film? Shouldn't that be "trunk"?
Just trying to mix it up a bit and throw in some international flair.
2.0T need premium fuel? If so needs to be mentioned. Won't buy if it does. Its not a rocket. Get V6 in Camry or Accord way smarter.
No, it does not require premium fuel. Though, it is reccomeneded to get the full 250HP/258LB-FT and 33 mpg highway from it. I've already seen some reviewers and owners get as much as 35-36 mpg on the highway with the 2.0T Malibu. The Accord and Camry may offer V6's, but here, the Malibu is lightest in its class and the turbo's torque curve starts in the 1,500-2,000 rpm range all the way up to 5,000 rpm.
It runs on specified standard grade gas. I always mention if premium fuel is recommended since it's part of the operating costs.
kn7gez -- the 2017 Malibu premier with the new 9 speed automatic will run 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds in the quarter mile at 14.3 at almost 100 mph top speed is Limited at 156 mph not a slow car.
Besides the inside, it's absolutely hideous. I'm just not a Chevy fan I guess.
Of course its hideous since I own one myself. It takes a while to get used to the look. After 11,7xx miles on mine. Its a great car!