Chevrolet cars have a new family face, and the 2019 Malibu ushers the look in. The new fascia also finds its way to the updated 2019 Chevrolet Cruze and 2019 Chevrolet Spark.
The brand revealed the 2019 Malibu online this Friday and highlighted a new RS trim that hauls in sportier appointments and value. The 2019 Malibu RS features 18-inch wheels, a black sport grille, black bowtie emblems, a rear spoiler and a dual-outlet exhaust to jazz up the exterior design.
For all 2019 Malibus, the new grille is the centerpiece of the refresh. The grille features a larger lower portion and foregoes the old car’s horizontal style lines in favor of more angular ones. The headlights now sit integrated to the grille itself as well. At the rear, a new fascia pushes the exhaust outlets further to create a wider stance and new taillights emphasize a more “dramatic” take on the dual-element design cue. The entire look makes for a more fluid shape when comparing the 2019 Malibu to the outgoing model.
No word on a diesel powertrain as we speculated, but the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is now paired with a CVT. The Premier trim still sports a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a nine-speed automatic.
Other new features include a standard eight-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, an eight-inch reconfigurable driver information center on the Premier model, standard heated seats on the Premier, and a back-up camera is now standard for the base Malibu L trim.
A slew of new wheel designs and additional exterior colors round out the 2019 Malibu refresh.
Chevrolet didn’t discuss pricing for the entire lineup, but the 2019 Malibu RS will be a value play. Chevy will price the model around $25,000 between the LS and LT trims when the refreshed Malibu goes on sale this fall.
Comments
Seems like a step in the right direction. I was apparently in the minority in the fact that I like the current “Storm Trooper” front clip on the Malibu.
Something had to be done, and this follows the gaping-maw movement other OEMs are also using.
Question: Are the wheels on the red example a new option? Those look really good.
I think they are an available option. Motor authority has better pictures with a close up of the wheels as well. Sorry I couldn’t get the link to copy and paste.
Car and Driver mentions that the RS Trim cannot be had with the 2.0 Turbo.
that’s kind of unfortunate.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/2019-chevrolet-malibu-adds-a-new-rs-model-and-a-new-transmission-news
Chevy is now going to challenge Toyota for the biggest mouth.
no doubt, that’s what I seen also. that front fascia looks as goofy as Toyota & Lexus. disappointing.
The Malibu is following the Impala heritage which was designed in 2012. Toyota is copying GM>
Not sure that anything will save the models in this segment.
The only thing that may help GM linger on is if Ford goes ahead and kills the Fusion.
More HP, AWD and improved styling is not going to change anything here.
True as seen what’s been happening to the Honda Accord as of late.
And the Honda Accord just looks like a jacked up Civic. Not good.
The Accord did get fat and bulbous like the Civic. They also discontinued the coupe, and the V6 model, so that might have hurt sales a bit too.
The new Accord is an excellent vehicle, but it’s kind of weird looking. It has styling queues from the popular Civic, but it’s not as cohesive.
The updated Malibu looks better IMO.
Looking forward to seeing what they updated on the interior.
Doesn’t seem to be stopping the ugly 2018 Camry from still selling well and in first spot amongst mid sizers.
I think GM is going wrong. People are not looking for better mileage.
Malibu needs standart safety tech, an improved interior (like every GM vehicle in the market) and more 1.5 power.
Hey look at the new me- I’m happy and smiling just like the zoom zoom Mazdas.
Looks a lot more premium overall. They went a little overboard on the grille area on the bumper, but I was never a fan of the front bumper/grille/LED design of the current Malibu, so it’s a slight improvement in that department anyway.
RS looks amazing, love the new rims. If the 2.0T is indeed unavailable with the RS, that should be a crime. You can have performance, or sporty looks, but not both? I wasn’t a fan of the 1.5T before, and while the new CVT might increase fuel economy numbers, it most certainly won’t help it be any more fun to drive. 2.0T / RS is the ONLY way to get one of these.
Curious to see the new interior and exterior colors. I’m hoping that they have a red interior now that there is a semi sporty looking Malibu model. Hey, the Camry has one, so it doesn’t seem unreasonable.
Also, if they are putting heated rear seats on the Premier, the Lacrosse NEEDS to have them ASAP too!
I love the updates on this car, keep the momentum going across your entire portfolio like you have been, there’s all types of new competition coming into the spotlight here, no time to slow down.
Hmm. Thinking more about the cars GM is cancelling. There is a way around this.
Instead of having a Malibu and an Impala, a new slightly larger Malibu would kill two birds.
Instead of having the current Cruze Sedan and the current Malibu, a new slightly larger Cruze Sedan would also kill two birds.
Instead of having a Cruze Hatch and Sonic, basically keeping the Cruze Hatch would negate the need for a Sonic and offer buyers a smaller car than my proposed Cruze Sedan.
They’ll be left with the Chevy Spark.
I have to say I know I’m in the minority but I love the current Malibu. My wife and I leased a ‘17 premier for her drive. I figured I’d only drive it occasionally when we went somewhere as a family versus driving my Silverado but that’s not the case. I drive that car as much as she does. It has a lively and spirited drive train. No mechanical issues thus far. Obviously its not a sports car but is very comfortable and fun to drive. Truthfully the looks are what attracted us to begin with. My only complaint (as someone who doesn’t want an SUV/CUV) is the lack of an AWD option. We like having an actual car to drive but in the winter the option of better traction would be nice.
I guess what I’m saying is if they wanted to upgrade the model it should’ve been there. This new model looks nice but so did the outgoing model. There are those of us that see owning an SUV as this generations soccer Mom mini van and want to avoid that look altogether…give us a family friendly vehicle with AWD traction please.
I do like the current Malibu, I think it looks and also drives really nice.
I just do not care for the front fascia on the redesign/refresh here.
The update looks much better to me.
I agree that all wheel drive should be an option.
A wagon variant would be good as well. How many Outbacks did Subaru sell in 2017?
don’t make the fronts start looking like those Toyotas –they are awful ugly — what does interior levels have to do with engine options —-another stupid idea from GM
Its amazing how everyone here knows how to run a car company, but yet no one here does? Why hasn’t everyone here submitted a resume to GM? I mean clearly they have no idea, they only made billions, they really need your help guys!!!
Well judging by dropping sales figures on the Impala, Malibu and Cruze month after month they could use all the help they can get
I like it better than the storm trooper front end it has now but like others said, it’s mouth is awfully big… I don’t understand why they couldn’t stick a sporty yet classy front end on there. The Impala has one, the Buick’s have them. Because the rest of the car continues to be a very sporty yet classy car as Chevrolet’s should be. And the car most definitely needs AWD for those of us in northern climates with snow and ice covered roads. An upgraded interior should have been done as well. Sometimes it’s almost like Chevrolet has no interest in selling cars.
I’m surprised to hear about the CVT. I would have thought that the 9-speed transmission would have migrated to the lower trim levels. I’m not a fan of CVT’s so this is not welcome news for me
I agree. Was hoping that GM would continue their avoidance of the cvt. We have a Subaru impreza with a cvt and do not like it. No fun at all and mileage isn’t stellar anyway.
Any word on whether GM decided to include an off switch for the auto stop-start like they have been finally starting to do (Silverado/Envision)?
The Premier model in the photos look good. This is a very good refresh.
Hopefully they will offer the hybrid drivetrain with the Premier trim. That is an excellent hybrid power plant.
This looks ridiculous.
Not sure about the front end that now is larger than life like a Toyota. Still looks better than any 2018 Camry for sure. But other than adding rear heated seats I’m not seeing anything fixed that needed attention. The cloth still remains on the dash on lesser trim levels. The 2.0T is still restricted to the Premier trim level? Why? The new RS model should at least have the 2.0T as an option. The L model that nobody even bothers stocking still exists with it’s cheap plastic hubcaps. No safety tech std on any model. The LS on up should have the safety package 1 and the Premier should have package II as std equipment. LED tail lamps are available on Premier. They should be std equipment on all models. The CVT is an answer to a question nobody asked. And the powerhouse 1.5T goes back to its original 2016 power level or 163 HP. The lowest of any mid size car and the power and torque of this weak mill are basically what we had in 1995 with the Lumina which used a 3100 OHV V6 that made 160 HP and 185 torque. Such progress!