Chevrolet Malibu 2021
Chevrolet Malibu 2021
2021 Chevrolet Malibu While other automakers doing business in the family sedan market have been busy improving and re-imagining what a mid-size car could be, Chevrolet has left the 2021 Chevy Malibu in tatters. Its design is nice but its interior is nice and unpolished. Two different turbocharged four-cylinder engines are offered – 1.5 liters and more powerful 2.0 liters– paired with either a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) or a nine-speed automatic; Front wheel drive is the only option. When compared to class leaders like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6, the Malibu elicits an unfortunate rental-class feel — unless the buyer opts for the most expensive Premier model. A touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, but Chevy requires the addition of option packages to unlock the Malibu’s available driver assistance features — something many of its competitors offer as standard.
Chevrolet Malibu 2021
The Malibu continues to lag behind its 2021 competitors as it enters the new model year without any major updates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto join the list of standard features this year, and the Sport Edition appearance package is newly available on the LT. The Sport Edition package adds black Chevrolet badges on the grille and trunk lid, black grille and black 19-inch wheels. GM’s new Buckle-to-Drive feature now comes on every Malibu and requires the driver’s seat belt to be secured before the transmission shifts out of park.
We continue to recommend the LT model, as it comes with more standard features than the lower-end L and LS. The LT comes standard with a 160-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged Malibu four-cylinder engine – the more powerful 2.0-liter engine is dedicated to the Premier – plus 17-inch wheels, LED taillights, brushed windshield, remote engine start, front seats Heated, electrically adjustable driver’s seat. If driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist are on your must-do list, Driver Confidence I and Driver Confidence II packages add these features and more.
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Engine, Transmission and Performance 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
Like many mid-size family sedans, the Malibu offers several engines. Most Malibu models are powered by a 163-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through a CVT transmission. When we tested the car with the new CVT, we clocked an overall average of 7.8 seconds from zero to 60 mph. This combination was slower than similar competitors in our acceleration tests, but it delivered smooth, even traction. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine – exclusive to the Premier Series – generates 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The last Malibu 2.0T we tested – a 2016 – ran well enough, but neither its real-world fuel economy nor its performance outperformed its competitors, many of which were powered by V-6 engines rather than turbocharged.
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Fuel Economy Chevrolet Malibu 2021
In terms of EPA fuel mileage estimates , the smallest Malibu engine is underperforming than the equivalent base engines in the Accord and Toyota Camry. That said, the turbocharged Malibu’s 2.0-liter engine has perfectly competitive government ratings compared to Honda and Toyota’s optional powertrains, but we haven’t tested real-world fuel economy. The 1.5-liter turbo managed to manage 34 mpg over the course of the 200-mile highway fuel economy test track.
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Interior, comfort and cargo
While the Malibu’s interior isn’t the most luxurious or quiet, it is very comfortable and friendly from a practical standpoint. The cabin has competitive passenger space and options, but most alternatives have better outward visibility. Malibu’s symmetrical instrument panel and large aperture below the center console make the cockpit feel spacious. The front seats have a wide base and supportive side bolsters, but their rear cushions are too narrow for some passengers. The rear seat has less legroom than the Honda Accord’s rear seat, but it still fits on adult tires. The Malibu boasts a large luggage compartment with a large carrying capacity; It also has plenty of internal storage space even though it doesn’t lead the class.
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Information, entertainment and contact Chevrolet Malibu 2021
The Chevy fits every Malibu with its excellent infotainment system that includes many of today’s coveted options – Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. While the touchscreen interface is easy to interpret, the system loses ground against the competition, as it lacks a convenient rotary control knob as a secondary way to interact with the interface.
Safety and driver assistance features
The Malibu received the highest crash test score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but failed to receive a Best Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Although the Chevy sedan can be had with all the high-tech assistance that helps protect modern families, these options are not available on some models. Key safety features include:
Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Lane departure warning with lane-keep assist
Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and maintenance coverage
The Malibu has limited competitive warranties and powertrain, but the wear protection and roadside assistance are longer than most competitors in this match. Likewise, Chevy offers only one free scheduled maintenance visit while the Camry is covered for two years or 25,000 miles.
The limited warranty covers three years or 36000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
Free maintenance is covered for the first visit
Vehicle Type
Front engine, front wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Engine type
Turbocharged and intercooler DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
displacement
91 cubic meters in inches, 1490 cubic centimeters
Energy
160 HP @ 5700 RPM
torque
184 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
moving in
Continuously auto variable
chassis
Suspension (F / R): strut / multi-link
Brakes (F/R): 11.8 inch vented disc, 11.3 inch disc
Tires: Continental ProContact TX, 245/45R-18 96H M+S TPC
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 111.4 in
Length: 193.8 inches
Width: 73.0 inch
Height: 57.6 inches
Passenger volume: 108 cubic feet
Trunk volume: 16 cubic feet
Empty vehicle weight: 3184 lbs
Test results
0 to 60 mph: 7.8 seconds
From zero to 100 mph: 22.3 seconds
0 to 120 mph: 41.6 seconds
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 9.1 seconds
Top speed, 30-50 mph: 4.3 seconds
Top speed, 50-70 mph: 5.8 seconds
Standing ¼ mile: 16.1 seconds @ 87 mph
Top speed (governor limited, MFR claim): 130 mph
Braking, 70 to 0 mph: 167 ft
Road, glide skateboard 300 feet: 0.88g
fuel economy
Observed: 25 mpg
75 MPH on the highway: 34 MPG
Highway range: 540 miles
Fuel economy by the Environmental Protection Agency
Pool/city/highway: 32/29/36 mpg
