The mid-size sedan that's been Chevy's bread-and-butter for decades. The G-body was rear-drive and simple; the modern ones are front-drive and practical. The 3.8L V6 is bulletproof; the 2.4L EcoTec has timing chain issues. It's a solid, reliable family car.
1980-1983: Rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame sedan and coupe on the G-body platform. It had a 3.8L V6 (110 hp), a 4.3L V6 (110 hp), a 5.0L V8 (140 hp), or a 5.7L V8 (150 hp) and a 3-speed or 4-speed auto.
1997-2003: Front-wheel-drive, unibody sedan on the N-body platform. It had a 2.2L I4 (115 hp), a 3.1L V6 (155 hp), or a 3.4L V6 (170 hp) and a 4-speed auto.
2004-2007: Front-wheel-drive, unibody sedan on the Epsilon platform. It had a 2.2L I4 (145 hp), a 3.5L V6 (200 hp), or a 3.9L V6 (240 hp) and a 4-speed auto.
2008-2012: Front-wheel-drive, unibody sedan on the Epsilon platform. It had a 2.4L I4 (169 hp), a 3.5L V6 (211 hp), or a 3.6L V6 (252 hp) and a 4-speed or 6-speed auto.
2013-2015: Front-wheel-drive, unibody sedan on the Epsilon platform. It had a 2.5L I4 (196 hp), a 2.0L Turbo I4 (259 hp), or a 2.4L Hybrid (182 hp) and a 6-speed auto.
2016-2026: Front-wheel-drive, unibody sedan on the E2XX platform. It has a 1.5L Turbo I4 (160 hp) or a 2.0L Turbo I4 (250 hp) and a CVT or 9-speed auto.
G-body (1980-1983): Simple and reliable. The 3.8L V6 is a good engine. The 5.0L and 5.7L V8s are bulletproof. The 3-speed auto (THM350/400) is a tank.
N-body (1997-2003): The 3.1L V6 has intake manifold gasket issues. The 2.2L I4 is reliable. The 4-speed auto (4T60E) is okay.
Epsilon (2004-2012): The 3.5L and 3.9L V6s have timing chain issues. The 3.6L V6 has timing chain issues. The 2.4L EcoTec has timing chain stretch issues.
E2XX (2016-2026): The 1.5L Turbo is decent. The 2.0L Turbo is stout. The CVT is okay. The 9-speed auto is good. The Malibu is a reliable family car, but avoid the 3.5L/3.9L V6 and the early 2.4L EcoTec.
Every listing below is VIN-matched to your exact Malibu before it ships, backed by a 60-day replacement warranty:
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