2022 Chevrolet Malibu

History/Overview

Chevrolet’s Malibu nameplate is a fixture of Canada’s family sedan segment. Now in its ninth generation (which was introduced in 2016), the Malibu is one of the handful of mid-size car models left in Canada. There are rumours this year will be the Malibu’s last.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

Malibu’s changes for 2022 are minor, the most notable being an electric parking brake that’s standard across the line.

Available Trims

Chevrolet offers the Malibu in LS, RS, LT and Premier trim levels. The first three packages come with a 1.5L turbo four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while Premier uses a 2.0L turbo motor and a nine-speed transmission.

Standard Features

Malibu LS’s standard kit includes 16-inch aluminum wheels, auto on/off headlights, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, manual A/C, cruise control, passive keyless entry, remote engine start, and wireless smartphone integration.

RS models gain 18-inch wheels, a black grille with chrome trim and black badges, a rear spoiler, a power driver’s seat with lumbar, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

LT comes with 17-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, LED daytime running lights and taillights, dual-zone auto A/C, heated front seats, and rear-seat reading lights.

Finally, Premier brings 19-inch wheels, a dual-pane sunroof, LED headlights, power front passenger seat adjustments, heated rear seats and steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-trimmed shift lever, ambient cabin lighting, perforated leather upholstery, and ventilated front seats. High-tech additions include a 120-volt power outlet, wireless smartphone charging, an 8.0-inch driver info display, a nine-speaker stereo, and navigation.

Premier is the only Malibu trim that comes standard with Chevrolet’s driver safety assists: automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assist, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, blind spot monitoring with lane change alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and rear cross traffic alert.

Key Options

RS and LT trims offer a driver confidence package of rear park assist, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, automatic high beams, lane departure warning/lane keep assist, following distance indicator, and forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic braking. You can also get a more basic version of this option with just blind spot/cross traffic alert and rear park assist.

An LT Plus bundle includes the items from the full driver confidence package and adds leather seats, a heated steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a dual-pane sunroof. Meanwhile, a True North pack builds on the basic safety package and adds the sunroof.

Fuel Economy

Chevrolet estimates the Malibu’s fuel consumption at 8.2/6.6 L/100 km (city/highway) with the 1.5L engine, and 10.7/7.1 with the 2.0L.

Competition

The Chevrolet Malibu competes in a family sedan segment that’s a lot smaller than it used to be, where it goes up against the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Legacy, and Kia K5.