Chevrolet isn't taking baby steps here. Continuing a trend we've seen with other automakers, the all-new 2016 Chevy Malibu eclipses its predecessor in every way—with major improvements that include better gas mileage and lots of impressive technology.
The midsize family sedan is larger and therefore roomier inside, particularly in the rear seat. But it’s also 300 pounds lighter, thanks to the use of super-thin high-strength steel in the body structure. Making a car both larger and lighter at the same time would have been nearly impossible a decade ago.
This redesigned version of the Malibu also promises big gains in fuel economy, most notably in a hybrid version that borrows technology from the 2016 Chevy Volt. Chevrolet says the Malibu Hybrid gets an estimated 45 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving—better than the fuel economy of competing midsize hybrids from Ford, Hyundai and Toyota.
The new Malibu Hybrid uses a “slightly modified” version of the electric drive system from the 2016 Volt, comprised of two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery and a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that is a little larger than the one in the Volt (1.8 liters of displacement versus 1.5 liters). The Malibu is capable of driving up to 55 miles per hour just on electric propulsion, but Chevrolet did not say for how many miles.
An innovative Exhaust Gas Heat Recirculation system debuts on the new 1.8-liter engine. It uses exhaust heat to warm the engine and cabin, which increases efficiency and reduces emissions, especially in cold weather.
The regular four-cylinder gasoline engines offered in the 2016 Chevy Malibu are more efficient than before. An all-new 1.5-liter turbo replaces the base 2.5-liter. It provides nearly the same amount of torque and 8 percent better city fuel economy, at an estimated 27 miles per gallon. Highway consumption is estimated at 37 mpg, versus 36 mpg for the outgoing 2.5-liter engine.
A 2.0-liter turbocharged engine puts out more power and gets 2 mpg more than a similarly sized engine in the previous Malibu. It is paired with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed automatic comes with the base 1.5-liter engine.
The 2016 Chevy Malibu looks noticeably different than the model it replaces. The design is reminiscent of the larger Chevy Impala sedan, with shorter front and rear overhangs, narrow headlights and a sloping rear window. The car is 3.6 inches longer overall, with 2.3 inches of that length added between the front and rear wheels, which gives rear occupants 1.3 inches more legroom.
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu offers high-end features like perforated leather and an eight-inch... [+]
A new Premier trim level debuts on the 2016 Malibu and will be added to other Chevrolet vehicles in the future. On the Malibu, it includes features found on luxury cars, such as LED lighting, an eight-inch capacitive touch screen, wireless phone charging, perforated leather upholstery and ventilated seats—the latter of which is offered for the first time on the Malibu.
Other trim levels include the LS, the LT and the previously mentioned Hybrid.
Notable tech features include GM’s optional 4G LTE connectivity and advanced safety systems that warn drivers of potential collisions and help to avoid them.
A new Teen Driver function also debuts on the 2016 Chevy Malibu. It lets parents register one of the car’s key fobs in the Malibu's MyLink system to track things like maximum speed, miles driven and active safety features engaged, among other things. Parents can look up those data points right in the MyLink system.
Chevrolet had added technology to the Malibu when doing a refresh for the 2014 model year as well. That update included, among other things, making stop/start technology standard.
The 2016 Chevy Malibu debuted at the New York auto show, as did the newly redesigned Kia Optima, a Malibu competitor that has helped shake up the family sedan segment.
Many of the Malibu's other competitors also had major makeovers in recent years, including the Chrysler 200 and Mazda 6, both of which are distinctive for the improvements that they made and their fresh upscale looks.
Chevrolet did not release pricing for the 2016 Malibu, which goes on sale in the fourth quarter, but it will likely have a starting price similar to that of the current model, which is $22,465.
Just ahead of the new model arriving in showrooms, the company announced that the Malibu hit a milestone of 10 million cars sold worldwide.
Read more about Chevrolet:
Chevy Cruze Now Comes With Best-In-Class Wi-Fi And Two Years of Free Data
Newly Redesigned Chevy Cruze Gets More Sophisticated
What's the latest on self-driving cars?
Autonomous Driving Will Be Here By 2020 In A Car Like This, According to Nissan
Meet The Amazing Robot That'll Learn To Drive Better Than Any Human Can
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