Auto Guide
2025 Chevrolet Malibu
New

Review and specifications

2025 Chevrolet Malibu

Completely redesigned for 2016, the Malibu is much sleeker than the boxy sedan it replaced. A new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine became the base engine, improving fuel economy to 29 mpg overall. A 2.0-liter turbo four cylinder remained the up level engine choice until it was dropped in 2023, and was mated to a new eight-speed automatic. The hybrid powertrain is all new, with dramatically improved fuel economy. Rear-seat room is also much improved, while the car's composed and compliant ride and quiet cabin remain. For 2019, the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Chevrolet dropped the hybrid model for 2020. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity was new for 2021. For 2023, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection became standard. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning became optional. Updates for 2024 included standard rear park assist, which provides alerts identifying nearby objects behind the vehicle. 2025 is the final model year for the Malibu.

Market value
$20,600
Fuel
Conventional
Transmission
Automatic
Seats
5
View listings Find dealers
Model year 2025
Owner rating Not rated
Reliability 3/5
Data updated December 4, 2025

At a glance

Model data

Overview

Powertrain
Conventional
Body style
sedan
Drive type
FWD
Transmission
CVT
Category
Midsized cars
Generation began
2016

Pricing

Current retail median
$20,600
Retail value range
$20,100 - $24,000
Original MSRP range
$24,700 - $31,500
Trade-in range
$18,045 - $22,295

Ratings

Road test score
79/100
Reliability
3/5

Fuel economy

EPA city
28 MPG
EPA highway
36 MPG
EPA combined
31 MPG
Tested city
19 MPG
Tested highway
41 MPG
Tested overall
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost
$1,365
Cruising range
370 miles

Road tests

0-30 mph
3.1 sec
0-60 mph
8.4 sec
60-0 mph braking
130 ft
Avoidance speed
53 mph
Test status
Test Completed

Dimensions

Length
194 in
Width
73 in
Height
58 in
Wheelbase
111 in
Weight
3,125 lb
Maximum load
900 lb
Towing capacity
1,000 lb

Interior

Seating
5 people
Front head room
5.5 in
Front leg room
43 in
Rear head room
3 in
Rear leg room
29 in
Luggage
3+2+0

Environmental impact

Air pollution score
6/10
Greenhouse gas score
6/10
SmartWay
No

Brand context

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet sells a wide range of sedans, coupes, compact SUVs, large SUVs, EVs, and pickup trucks. Most models have roomy interiors and come with standard safety and convenience technology. Several models, however, have poor visibility and lack steering agility. Many Chevrolets rank average or below average for reliability in CR’s rankings. The brand stands out for selling historically significant and category-defining vehicles. The Suburban and Tahoe can keep three rows of passengers comfortable within their enormous cabins. The Silverado pickup truck competes with the best-selling Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 by balancing interior comfort with towing and cargo capability. In the past and today, the Camaro and Corvette are performance car bargains. The rear/mid-engined “C8” Corvette can be as thrilling as much more expensive European supercars. With some exceptions, used Chevrolets can have reliability issues, but are often less expensive to maintain and repair than competitors.

Vehicle ID: 33526 First published: December 5, 2024 Updated: December 4, 2025

Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.

Keep comparing

All Chevrolet models