You may have already seen the 2014 Malibu, and read about some of the updates Chevy is making to its midsize sedan. Well, we’ve obtained the complete RPO list of revisions to the 2014 model, which allows us an unabridged overview of the updates and changes to the car.
Besides the revised front-end design, the 2014 Malibu does away with four exterior colors (Black, Taupe Grey Metallic, Blue Topaz Metallic, Silver Topaz Metallic) and adds two new hues (Butte Red Metallic, Ashen Gray Metallic); the Eco 1SA model and equipment group is deleted, while the Side Blind Zone Alert/Rear Cross Traffic Alert and an AC unit with a humidity sensor are added.
The 2014 Malibu also gets a new base 2.5 liter Ecotec engine with stop/start and iVVL, a revised center console and front center armrest design and improved knee room and comfort in the rear seat; the sunglasses holder in the overhead console is discontinued (shucks!), as are standard features from the Eco 2SA equipment group. The manual park brake replaces the electronic unit and SiriusXM Satellite Radio is deleted from the 1LS and 1FL trims.
Lastly, a 120-volt outlet on the Premium Audio Package in the Eco model is newly-available, while Graphite Silver Metallic trim replaces Dark Argent Metallic on the Malibu LS and Agathis Black wood trim replaces Mystery Brown wood trim on the LT and LTZ.
Interestingly, The General made no mention of the increase in power of the 2.0 liter LTG turbocharged engine.
Official Changes
Deletions
- Eco 1SA model and equipment group
- (GBA) Black exterior color
- (GBV) Taupe Gray Metallic exterior color
- (GTS) Blue Topaz Metallic exterior color
- (GWS) Silver Topaz Metallic exterior color
New Features
- (G7T) Butte Red Metallic (Promotional exterior color)
- (GLJ) Ashen Gray Metallic exterior color
- (UFT) Side Blind Zone Alert/Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- (C4P) Air conditioning with humidity sensor
Changes
- Eco 2SA Equipment Group de-contented by the removal of the following standard items: (DD8) auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, (UVC) Rear Vision Camera, (UG1) Universal Home Remote, (UQA) Pioneer uplevel audio system, (AP9) cargo convenience net and (B83) body-color bodyside molding
- New front grille/fascia design
- (LKW) 2.5L engine iVVL and stop/start replaces the (LCV) 2.5L engine with VVT
- Manual park brake replaces electronic park brake
- New console and front center armrest design with addition of 2 phone storage areas
- Improved knee room and comfort in rear seat
- (U2K) SiriusXM Satellite Radio no longer included on 1LS and 1FL
- (KI6) 120-volt outlet now available in the (PCU) Premium Audio Package for the Eco model
- Sunglasses holder deleted from overhead console
- LS Graphite Silver Metallic trim replaces Dark Argent Metallic trim
- LT and LTZ Agathis Black wood trim replaces Mystery Brown wood trim
Comments
Why did they get rid of black? That’s like a standard color option for all new cars? Is there black granite metallic for 2014?
It is an interesting decision, to say the least. However, Black Granite Metallic ($195 option) will remain available for 2014.
I’m a Chevy salesman, and I understand why they’ve removed standard black. We’ve had nothing but problems with “fallout” in the paint. Most GM execs blame it on raildust in transport. Nonetheless, we have small white pits in the paint and get worse the longer the car stays on the lot. Hopefully, they’re finding a new solution to this problem.
I have the Taupe Gray, does this color have the fallout issue too?
Not much at all. It’s the standard black that gives us headaches at delivery.
De-content the Eco and ask for more money, boy that ought to help them fly off the lots. I liked Blue Topaz too bad it’s gone, and where to put the sunglasses, in the seat next to you so they have to be moved every time there’s a front passenger? Seems like they still don’t want this one to succeed.
The lack of a glasses holder is one of my biggest complaint with American cars, and it’s one thing the Malibu finally got right. Why they would scrap such a cheap — and effective — extra is beyond me.
Not all of our businesses in America have government subsidies that enable HR to offer discounted LASIK. Lots of us need to wear glasses!
I personally use the glasses holder to store sunglasses while not using them. The decision to remove it is indeed peculiar — and doesn’t seem to follow GM’s goal of building the best cars, trucks and SUVs.
Sure, this is an “old GM” product even though it’s technically “new” to the marketplace… but why mess with something that wasn’t/isn’t broken? Heck, the rest of the car got some very welcome improvements… but this, although seemingly minor, is a step back.
Alex, None of this even registers on my “important” list. I couldn’t care less over a sunglasses case or where an emergency brake is located. And AWD in West Texas has no particular importance. AWD in Amarillo? Now that might just have “traction”.
The financial arrangements determined my “deal”. Instead of the Verano Turbo, I came away with the ATS Performance Edition 3.6 – thanks to Bank of America. And a good friend got my Grand Prix GXP so everyone ended up happy. And my RayBans fit in their case just fine in the console along with my phone and checkbook. 2 cupholders are sufficient, thanks very much.
Unfortunately, the current Malibu is simply not competitive with the new Ford Fusion – period. IMHO the previous Malibu was the nicer design even though it appeared long and narrow from certain angles. If Chrysler does hit the home run with the coming new 200 sedan, the Malibu is in real trouble. And you couldn’t run fast enough to get me into a Camry – yuck. Now. A Kia Optima? Perhaps.
Cadillac’s got it going on. Anyone not needing a huge sedan requires their head being examined if they don’t seriously consider the ATS. I love my friend’s triple black XTS Premium – great car. Another friend owns an early build LaCrosse – lovely car which he’s extremely pleased with. He’s on the ropes over replacing with another LaCrosse OR going with the coming CTS this fall. Personally? I think he’s nuts not to go with the new CTS.
Bob, maybe none of those things make your “important” list — but they may not be as trivial to the “average” car buyer.
For starters, the question that comes to mind about the glasses holder is “why?”. Why remove it in the first place? Was it interfering with something? Did consumers/buyers not want it there in the first place? Something tells me that the answer to both of those is “no”.
So then why did the feature, which is convenient and employed by competitors left and right, get removed? Sure, it’s not a “huge” feature… but it is one of those things that would make an owner appreciate their vehicle every time he or she wanted to store glasses from harm’s way.
As for AWD in Texas… obviously, it’s not necessary there. But not offering traction to all four wheels still puts Chevy and the Malibu at a competitive disadvantage — especially when it comes to Ford and the Fusion, and especially in states where AWD vehicles are popular due to snow — roughly half of the country. So while the Fusion is gaining traction (aha!) in those states, the Malibu is slipping (double aha!).
Ultimately, it’s all about making a great vehicle that ticks the right boxes in the right way. Not offering AWD and then removing trivial features doesn’t help the ‘Bu do either of those things.
I’m left scratching my head on this one, as GM did a wonderful job in improving what they had (a product designed and engineered before the bankruptcy) quickly and effectively.
Enjoy the ATS — it’s awesome. Sooner (rather than later), all GM products will be as well.
Alex hit the nail on the head. Recently I have not seen much happening that is following GM’s goal of building the best cars and trucks, either. While they are all capable vehicles, they are not products that say we are here to take no prisoners. I have stated time and time again that GM marketing is the biggest problem, since we have seen and continue to see what the engineers can do. They have new products and we hardly see commercials telling the story. It’s heart-wrenching to see the mediocrity that they have decided people should have, instead of what we want to have.
Richard — it’s really a matter of working with what they had in the pipeline pre-chapter 11, and then quickly replacing it.
As you already know, the Malibu is one of those examples; so are the Camaro, Cruze, Sonic, Equinox, the trucks and SUVs, and certain elements of the C7. Some of these are class leaders in terms of sales, and others even in certain areas in terms of the competition. The first five in that list will get replaced sooner than some might expect with very competitive and attractive new models, while others will continue with a steady cadence of incremental updates and improvements. GM’s in it to win — and it will. It just needs to get through this unique product “issue”.
DO WE REALLY NEED THAT STUPID EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE TAKING UP VALUABLE CONSOLE SPACE!
PUT IT BACK AS A PEDAL WHERE IT BELONGS. NOW FILL THE SPACE WITH AN EXTRA SLIDE OPEN STORAGE COMPARTMENT ADD AVAILABLE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND I’LL BUY THE CAR.
I don’t understand why they would put that antequated brake on the console. That’s space that could be used for storage or to make the console narrower providing more room on the foot wells for driver and passenger. Deleting four colors in favor of two (one of which is limited) doesn’t make sense to me either. Kinda sucks the two blues, which were my favorite colors offered on the Malibu are gone.
There was pushback from traditionalists and sport drivers, especially on the Turbo model, that disliked the electronic switch.
Though, I’m not sure why either. The SS will have the electronic e-brake, and if you’re going to do e-brake tricks… that would be the one to pull them on.
The only reason the Malibu got the switch in the first place, was it inherited it from the Regal, and was kept over to compete with Optima. Kia heavily promoted the feature.
There is no need to apply the e-brake in an SS to get it to “do tricks”.
Of course not. My point clearly was that no modern car needs a handle parking brake.
The electronic brakes are a VERY bad idea. If you are in an accident, if you have the car on jack stands with the battery disconnected, etc. you need to be able to set the parking brake. There’s a reason it has come to be called an “emergency brake,” because it’s there when all else fails and that includes a dead battery.
If they would have left the small electronic parking brake switch, they could have made a pocket to hold sunglasses where the e-brake handle is.
Or just keep the glasses storage compartment where it belongs — by the dome/light control panel — and provide a sense of technological superiority with an electronic parking brake.
Why did they redesign the front end again? There was nothing wrong with the 2013 front end at all now the rear end is another story at least with the 2013 model it looked a little decent in lt or ltz trim but this 2014 model looks like an avalon to me and that is an ugly car they rushed this design to hurry up and get a 2014 model they should have took their time to design a better car maybe waited until 2015 now the car looks hideous up front and behind and it still won’t sell
Well here’s what’s been bugging me since reading this yesterday: Is the LCV being discontinued altogether? If so will the main parts be interchangeable with the LKW? Parts like water pumps, alternator, drive axles……… If not it sounds like I need to get out of my 2013 before the trade in value plummets.
My understanding is LCV and LKW are pretty interchangeable, I wouldn’t worry about it. Sales values of the ’13 will much more be driven by body style changes than this. The only LCV concerns in ’13 would be if early-gen issues pop up, which so far, they haven’t.
Fusion owners have much more to worry about in this regard… I wouldn’t be worried if I had a ’13 Malibu with LCV.
Thanks. I’m glad because I’d like this to be a car I can own, and work on myself for awhile after I finish paying for it. And if the parts were priced like BMW or Porsche parts (exaggerating) I wouldn’t be able to do that.
Is it possible to upgrade my Malibu with the MyLink stereo system? We bought the standard no extra 2014…. now I’m missing my Sirius XM
I bought the 2014 Malibu LTZ and love it, but the blind side alert keeps coming on the drivers side for no reason. I have taken it in the dealership to see why, but they can’t find the problem. It is very annoying and I need it to work, due to my eyesight issues. Any suggestions?