mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Refreshed 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Caught In The Wild

General Motors is really wasting no time in bringing a refreshed Chevrolet Malibu to market by the 2014 model year to fix what critics have griped over. As evidence, Car & Driver very recently published a gallery of spy photos capturing a duo of new Malibu test mules on the highway, with their new faces shrouded in mystery.

Based on what’s been reported, we can also expect increased rear legroom compared to the current model, and maybe even a new powertrain, if we’re lucky.

Former staff.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. I’d be so pissed if I bought a 2013 and I don’t know for which reason more; the fact that I have such bad taste to begin with… ot the fact that the look was so bad that it was only out for a year and now my car is worth 1000s less.

    Reply
  2. The only thing I find distasteful about the 2013 is the back of the vehicle. I own a 2008 Malibu LTZ and love it.

    Reply
    1. To each their own. I thought the rear of the previous-generation Malibu was horrible and made the car look like it backed into a brick wall. The new rear-end is MUCH better. (This from a guy who owns a 2011 LTZ.)

      Reply
  3. Excited to see a refresh. Hopefully it’s meaner looking like the new Fusion.

    Reply
    1. I agree that the Fusion up’ed the ante for styling in this class. Although I like the styling of the current Malibu, I do think Chevy got caught with its pants down by the Fusion (and in some respects, the new Accord and Camry). The current styling would have been great two-three years ago, but already looks dated today.

      Reply
  4. I prefer my V6 ’09 Malibu and really dislike the “Bangle Butt” on the current model. The LTZ should be available with the base Camaro V6 perhaps detuned to 275-280hp.

    Reply
    1. Although I would LOVE to see the 3.6 back in the Malibu, I would be BEYOND shocked if Chevy actually did that. This segment is more and more about fuel mileage and not about displacement. As I understand it, the new Fusion is no longer available with a V6 (and I don’t believe the Camry or Sonata is either—not sure about the Accord).

      In this segment, if you want power and performace, you’re going to have to look at a Turbo’d 4-banger.

      Reply
      1. The Fusion, Sonata, Optima, and Malibu did away with the V6es. Everyone else still offers them, including Camry, Altima, Accord, and Passat. Did I leave anyone out?

        Reply
        1. Fair enough.

          But I would still be incredibly shocked if the 3.6 found its way into the Malibu.

          I hope I’m wrong though.

          Reply
  5. I hope a face lift for the silverado 2015 , because too bad . I hope the same design front end of new impala 2014 … Wow

    Reply
  6. Yes, I agree with ‘gdvente’ that if the LTZ model came with the base V6 that GM puts in the Camaro it would appeal to the driver that wants a itttle pizzazz in their family sedan. Cars in the family sedan segment typically have 2 key elements – good gas mileage and good rear-seat legroom. I think GM can accomplish both. GM has some of the best engineers and designers on the planet. The turbo I-4 and the 3.6L with cylinder de-activation should give the Malibu good gas mileage with a little horsepower punch (and torque) when needed. Now lets work on the exterior design to give it a little ‘punch’ in a segment that is somewhat bland. Now what would an SS coupe model look like and what would you put under the hood. A turbo 3.6 perhaps. Hmmmmm…

    Reply
  7. It’s possible this quick re-fresh could make things worse, not better? The front and rear overhangs are too big on this car? Take a look at the lower end models with the 16″ wheels, looks like a giant body with tiny wheels? Really not an appealing look at all even to sheeple/clueless masses.

    Re-fresh or not, I would guess these will be GM’s new fleet king, with the new Impala moving away from fleet duty to primarily retail.

    Reply
  8. I happen to love the 2013 Malibu – styling, handling, features, etc. blow the last gen away! Yes, the rear seat can be improved and the power train upgraded – but this car is so much better than the ‘Bu that turned things around for Chevy.
    The bar has been raised high by the competition, so automakers can expect to improve cars more frequently than they have over the last 20-30 years.
    Looking forward to the improvements – and to Chevy increasing their market share in this highly sought-after segment.

    Reply
  9. Didn’t a new model Malibu just drop? Major changes every year confuses me

    Reply
  10. You nailed it Alex! The Malibu should continue to offer a V6 in my opinion. The I-4 might be popular engine for rental cars and the fleet market. But I believe a V6 would be popular for GM’s retail customers. An SS coupe model might also have a niche market and reflect the heritage of the brand.

    Reply
  11. Yes Matt. But the new Malibu got poor reviews. So like the folks at Honda when their beloved Civic got bad reviews, they wisely decided to fix the issues/shortcomings rather than lose sales.

    Reply
  12. Only thing I noted as a “style” gripe was how they did the rear end of the car. Good to have that kind of design but could of been toned down slightly. Haven’t sat in the back seat (usually test for my height and see if comfortable behind myself) ever to even get a sense. I take that back, once in NY and it seemed fine but that fine should be when in a Cruze, not a Malibu.

    Reply
  13. I would just really like to k ow how did Malibu gained 200 lbs from last Gen to this Gen?

    Reply
  14. Still confused and a bit mad by them not offering a V6. The more power option is the turbo 4 which gets 21city/30highway ON MORE EXPENSIVE PREMIUM FUEL! If you plan to fill your tank with regular, and you can do so safely, expect your peak engine power to drop by around 20 bhp and fuel economy suffer by about 1 mpg as the engine pulls timing to avoid pre-ignition. All the comparisons that talk about how fuel economy is better compare the figures to the old version of the 3.6 that the Malibu came with. The newer version in the Impala gets 18 city/30 highway, which is a 3mpg penalty around town, assuming you’re buying the premium fuel for your Malibu Turbo, which costs more. The real world cost savings are minimal, and oh yea you’re giving up 50hp!

    Reply
  15. This really doesn’t look like the Impala nose that I was expecting. If anything, it almost looks sort of Aveo-ish or Dodge-like from the little I can make out. Whatever, I hope we see some new models rolling around with camo’ed rears soon!!!

    Reply
  16. The current Malibu is a nice improvement on the 08-12 car but as we all know the rear legroom took a hit, the V6 went bye bye, width increased slightly, many features were added and the controversial Bangle butt appeared. And the prices have increased in most cases. The new 2.5 engine is a nice addition but sadly it has to haul around 200 plus more LBS of weight compared to it’s main competitors which reduces mileage somewhat. The other issue controversial aspect is that model that straddles the normal gas engine models and the hybrids. Yes the Eco model was the first 2013 Malibu everyone was introduced to with it’s smaller trunk, increased weight, none too thrilling performance and not competitive mileage with other automakers Hybrids. The press were not at all taken and Malibu sales have lagged ever since, even with the new 2.5 and 2.0 liter turbo motors in full force. Below are the changes I would make if I was on the 2014 Malibu refresh committee:

    1) 17″ alloy wheels made std on all LS and LT models
    2) Redesigned front seats with slimmer seat backs and scalloped upper portions
    3) Front seat cup holders changed from front to back to side to side
    4) Wood grain dropped on the LT and 2LT steering wheel
    5) Leather wheel and shift knob made std on LT
    6) All cloth seat with more pleasing material on LT and 2LT models
    7) Drop the toggle switch for changing transmission gears and instead use proper paddle shifters on the steering wheel
    8) Replace the 2.4 eAssist with the new upcoming 1.6 liter turbo engine
    9) Offer either a Sport or RS model with monotone interior trim, sport bucket seats, sport suspension and steering and those wonderful 19″ alloys from the LTZ
    10) Make the excellent LFX 3.6 V6 available on top LTZ and Sport/RS trim levels to inject some much needed pizzazz into this car

    Reply
  17. Joe, your list is good. If you’re not working for GM and with the Malibu refresh team you should be. The only thing missing from your list is the diet the car should be on to lose a little weight.

    Reply
  18. Don’t mess with the exterior of this 2013 Malibu it looks awesome as is. Just add a V6 option and call it an SS.

    Reply
  19. My 06 BU has a 3.5L V6 and is impressive on gas for a V6. And when needed has the power to merge into traffic… We love our BU, other than the generic interior… To me the issue is also the up an down design language with each generation. The competition is much more consistent and that is what consumers want. People return to what they are familiar with or transition to a product that is comparable to what they are familiar with…

    Reply
  20. GM had this car done a good while ago for the most part but could not move to production till after the Chapter 11. That is why this would have been a good car 2 years ago.

    GM knew time was running out and had to make a move to bring it to market before it was even more too late. GM I suspect expected the updates even before the first one rolled out as they knew they needed a new nose soon to match the others in the line up that also will be done soon. With the Cruze and Nox getting changes and the Impala, SS and Traverse already getting the new face I think this was already in the works.

    Also the 1.6 Turbo was coming so while the refresh is being done it will be added and I suspect they will take more space from the back of the front seat backs to add a inch or so to the back.

    Just for what is worth I loved the styling of the 08 but always thought they stopped short on the rear. I own this car and hate the rear. The new car at least has 3D form to it and look like they at least finished the styling.

    The Malibu really is not a bad car but in this segment you have to be on your game. Chevy has to have this car and the Cruze right as they are the cash flow and volume cars for Chevy now. The Impala has moved to the lower volume segment.

    Reply
    1. @hyperv6 Spot on. The Malibu is still my favorite in the segment, but I can’t help but wonder about the effects of the bankruptcy on the car.

      That said, the next-gen Insignia/Regal/Malibu (assuming the Regal comes back for the next-gen model) will most definitely ride on a platform (E2XX) that features a longer wheelbase, while preserving the current exterior dimensions of all three vehicles.

      Reply
      1. E2XX??

        Reply
        1. Next-gen Epsilon.

          Reply
          1. But then if that happens, what would happen to the Super Epsilon?

            Reply
            1. It would either grow appropriately/proportionately to the regular E2 growth, or stay the same… I’m betting in the former.

              Reply
  21. Hmm what is with the hood and what looks like two scoops one on each side.

    Dummy hood or some kind of idea for intakes?

    Reply
  22. Well I can recall the new Malibu was shown in seceret to the press what was it 2008-2009. It was pretty much locked in then. So if things had gone as they normally would the car would have been out in late 10 as a 2011.

    GM then had to fast track this car because as they fell behind it was going to be a late 2014 if they did not move it up. I believe this is why the refresh is so soon and fixing the back seat is a easy one since the scooped out seat backs are a common thing at GM. My 08 has them and even the Cruze. 1-2 inches and a re contoured seat bottom can do wonders and does not take rocket science.

    The 1.6 was coming too as it was delayed too.

    GM had a lot to fix and they could only do so much so fast. Anyone that thought the GM rebuild would be complete in a couple years has no concept of what it takes. This is a 10 year plan and that is if everything goes right.

    Look for a lot of new product over the next 3-4 years.

    Reply
  23. i bought a new 2013 chevy malibu and the new rear tail lights is what sold me.

    Reply
  24. I just bought a 2013 Malibu and please dont change a thing. I looked for month’s and came down to the looks inside and out. yes the power is a little light but its a great looking car.

    Reply
  25. I just bought a 2013 Malibu and please dont change a thing. I looked for month’s and came down to the looks inside and out. yes the power is a little light but its a great looking car.

    Reply
  26. I really like the 2014 Malibu revisions, and I would be excited to buy one if it would be available in a coupe as well.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel