At this point, you could safely call the Chevy Malibu “America’s midsize sedan” for a couple of reasons. For one, it’s one of the most popular and impressive sedans on the market. For two, it’s one of only a handful of sedans still offered by American car companies. We all know that SUVs have come to dominate the auto industry, and while Chevy has undoubtedly embraced that with a tremendous selection of different models available, they’ve held out where other companies like Ford have folded by still offering a great sedan for all of us car fans. I wish the Impala was still around, but even one model in Chevy’s lineup is better than some other brands.
Now, you might be wondering why I even care or why anyone should bother with a sedan when there are compact crossovers that aren’t much bigger. There’s a reason so many people still go out looking for a Chevy Malibu for sale—multiple reasons, in fact. We’ll get into some of them today so you can see why the Malibu is such a fantastic daily driver and why so many people still choose a sedan when shopping for a vehicle.
Reason #1: The Engine and Performance
When looking at a vehicle for daily driving, particularly for my commute, I want something simple and easy to drive. The shopping process should be just as simple, so I love that Chevy offers just one engine option for the Malibu. I don’t want to consider multiple different engines and weigh their pros and cons; just give me one good one. The Malibu has a 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine that delivers 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission for a smooth drive that’s nice and fun.
You’ll find the front-wheel drive on the Malibu, which is perfect for a midsize sedan like this, lets you stay in control even when roads get wet. The MacPherson struts on the front suspension ensure you enjoy a comfortable drive with excellent handling and ride quality, with disc brakes on all four wheels. It’s nothing fancy, but it doesn’t need to be. The Chevy Malibu gets the job done with a reliable drive you can count on day after day, which is all I want.
Reason #2: Impressive Fuel Economy
Okay, I lied—a great drive I can count on is vital, but that’s not all I want. I want terrific fuel economy to keep me on the road longer. The last thing I want to worry about during my drive each day is stopping for gas. I prefer a vehicle that will get me through a whole week at least, and I’ll worry about filling up on my day off. The 2024 Chevy Malibu gets an estimated 28 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway, with 32 MPG of combined fuel efficiency. That’s fantastic, and combined with its 15.8-gallon gas tank, it can go about 470 miles in total with a full tank—more than I need throughout the week. Still, your mileage may vary (literally), and my next daily driver will likely be a plug-in hybrid, or I might even go all-electric. For my current situation, though, the Malibu is perfect.
Reason #3: Four Great Trims to Choose From
When it comes to choosing the right vehicle, I want options—but not too many options. I’m generally a pretty simple guy regarding these things, which means I know what I want. Still, I’m also open to being surprised by something I didn’t realize I was missing. Show me a model with eight or nine trim levels, and I’ll show you someone who checks out halfway through the list and starts looking at something else.
Chevy hits that “just right” amount of options with the Malibu by offering four trim levels, each adding to what came before and elevating your driving experience. As I said earlier, they all have the same engine and performance, so you don’t have to worry about that. Instead, you can focus on secondary features and things that will affect your drive each day. For example, the starting LS model has 16-inch aluminum wheels, the standard Chevy Safety Assist suite of features (more on that below), and basic seating. Moving up to something like the 1LT trim adds 17-inch wheels, more comfortable seats, and other advanced features. Each step is simple, so it’s not hard to see what they each bring to the Malibu.
Reason #4: Terrific Comfort and Convenience
With four trims available, one’s choice of trim has a significant impact on the kinds of features found inside the Malibu. That being said, you really can’t go wrong with any of them when it comes to how enjoyable your drive will be each day. Standard features include premium cloth seating, six-way adjustable front seats, basic air conditioning, and even cruise control to make your drive easier. Of course, there are plenty of upgrades available as well. Moving up to the highest 2LT trim brings in perforated leather-appointed seating with heated and ventilated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Either option is a great choice, as are the two trims between them, but this illustrates how luxurious you can make your daily drive with the Malibu.
Reason #5: Tech Features to Simplify Your Life
Along with different levels of comfort, we also find various tech features inside the Malibu to make our daily drive more manageable and more enjoyable. An 8.0-inch Infotainment system is standard in every model. However, the 2LT includes Navigation, and while lower trims have a six-speaker sound system, the 2LT features a Bose premium nine-speaker audio system. Every 2024 Chevy Malibu supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as keyless open and start with remote start, while the 2LT features an 8.0-inch color Driver Information Center display, interior ambient lighting, and a wireless charging pad. Hitting the road in the morning, realizing you forgot to plug in your phone last night, and being able to set it on a pad to charge while you drive to work is the height of modern convenience.
Reason #6: Staying Safe on the Road
No amount of convenience or comfort matters if your car can’t help keep you safe during your daily commute. As I said earlier, every Malibu comes with Chevy Safety Assist, which includes a Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking and Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Park Assist. You also get Chevy’s Teen Driver system on every Malibu, which is perfect if you have a new driver in your house. Other available safety options include Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, and Automatic Parking Assist to make parallel and perpendicular parking much more effortless. All of this comes together to make the Malibu incredibly safe on the highway, in parking lots, and everywhere in between.
Want Even More Reasons?
Honestly, I could go on, particularly regarding the bold style of the RS model or the sleek look of the special editions like the Midnight Edition and Redline Edition, but I think you get the idea. Some drivers prefer small crossovers, large SUVs, and even trucks for their daily commute, and that’s fine—to each their own—but for me, nothing beats a good car when you’re hitting the road each day. Besides a 14-year gap in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Malibu has been on the road for 60 years, making a name for itself and being many people’s first car. Today, it continues to live up to that reputation. It is still a unique, affordable option for getting to and from work and for young drivers ready to get their first taste of freedom. What more reason could we want?
