Choose the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu to give your daily drive a shot of smooth, roomy comfort and streamlined connectivity. This midsize sedan is also known for its quick, easygoing performance, with two engine options that don’t disappoint.
Choose the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu to give your daily drive a shot of smooth, roomy comfort and streamlined connectivity. This midsize sedan is also known for its quick, easygoing performance, with two engine options that don’t disappoint. The Malibu also gets great reviews for its modern tech features, a lineup that expands for 2021 to include wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features.
With its sleek lines and four-door body style, the 2021 Chevy Malibu looks both very modern and very familiar. Not to mention, its many color and wheel options, you can dress it up to suit your personal tastes.
Every Malibu model offers impressive head- and legroom, especially if you’re on the tall side. The cabin’s straightforward layout is another huge plus, putting controls within easy reach of both driver and front passenger; and you’ll love how smooth the Malibu feels, evening out bumps in the road accordingly.
The five Malibu trim models—L, LS, RS, LT, and Premier—offer an increasingly luxurious ride, adding comfort and tech features as you move up the hierarchy. Highlights include:
Driver safety aids are only available as add-ons, via various Driver Confidence packages (see details below). If you’re interested in technology that can help you avoid danger, these features are at your service. Optional features include:
There are two powertrains available for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu. The base engine, standard on all but the top-trim Premier, is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission, which helps it deliver a smooth, predictable performance.
For premium performance, choose the Malibu Premier. This trim model’s exclusive powertrain, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and nine-speed automatic transmission, offers a more luxurious on-road experience. Its 250 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque ensures a much speedier drive and its nine-speed transmission will impress you with its smooth-shifting action.
Both Malibu powertrains lend themselves to an efficient commute. The base engine, a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, works with the CVT to give you the model’s best EPA ratings. With it, your Malibu is rated for 32 mpg combined (29 city/36 highway mpg). The top-trim Premier, with its more powerful four-cylinder engine and nine-speed automatic transmission, is only a little less thrifty, earning 26 mpg combined (22/33 mpg).
There are five 2021 Chevrolet Malibu trim models: L, LS, RS, LT, and Premier. Each model adds a little more to the last, giving you everything from an affordable, family-friendly sedan to a posh, modern people-hauler.
With the entry-level L, which starts at $22,140, you’re getting a great deal on a modern ride. This Malibu also gives you all the basics:
Spend a little extra to upgrade to the LS, and you’ll enjoy even more tech features. This Malibu helps you keep track of young drivers, with Chevy’s Teen Driver system giving you the means to set speed limits and geo fences. This Malibu also adds Wi-Fi capabilities to bolster your connectivity. LS highlights include:
Next up is the sporty RS. This Malibu looks sporty, with body-colored mirrors and a black grille but it also adds to your performance with a rear spoiler and a dual exhaust.
The LT is unique among Malibu trims, offering three exclusive appearance packages (Midnight, Sport and Redline—more on these below). Besides being able to tweak this Malibu according to your personal style, you’ll also enjoy greater comforts, thanks to the LT’s heated front seats and dual-zone climate control. Note that the LT starts with the LS features and adds extras, skipping the sporty RS upgrades altogether.
For the ultimate Malibu experience, you need the top-tier Malibu Premier. It’s the only model that features the engine upgrade, significantly increasing your speed with 250 horses. The Premier also takes your comfort to new heights, with stylish leather upholstery and driver-seat memory settings. It also has as many tech features as a luxury sedan, including a wireless charging pad and LED headlights.
Shoppers should note that the Malibu L isn’t available with any option packages. However, there are a number of packages that are optional (or standard equipment) on all but the base L trim model:
The Malibu LT offers several packages that are exclusive to the trim model:
The top-trim Premier can be had with three options packages, the aforementioned Interior Protection and Floor Liner packages, as well as the exclusive Enhanced Driver Confidence package:
Your 2021 Chevrolet Malibu comes standard with a vast safety net. Should something go unexpectedly sideways, Chevy’s warranty coverage is here to help.
We expect the ninth generation of Malibus to last a few more model years. Pre-pandemic, Chevy had plans to update the Malibu for 2023 and completely redesign it for 2025 but those plans may have changed mid-2020. While the future remains uncertain, we have received reports that, after 2023, the Malibu may be discontinued. As we learn more, we’ll keep you updated!