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2019 Chevrolet Malibu Spied With A Nip-Tuck

Despite all the hefty camouflage in the latest spy shots, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is likely in for a minor refresh at best. The current generation of Chevrolet Malibu has only been on the market since the 2016 model year, which means the current design has a lot of life left in it.

Nonetheless, we expect the 2019 Malibu will receive a tweaked front fascia, which will likely include revised headlights with LED accent lighting. The 2019 Malibu’s overall shape remains largely the same from what we can see in these camo-covered prototypes, further indicating a mild refresh. The interior should remain largely unchanged, however.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior - Media Drive 004

As for the powertrain, the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines will likely be sticking around as well. The 1.5-liter unit uses a six-speed automatic to swap cogs, while the 2.0-liter engine uses GM’s new nine-speed automatic gearbox. Other powertrain changes will likely be minimal at best.

2019 Chevrolet Blazer render rear

The bigger addition to Chevrolet’s portfolio will be what is likely the new Blazer. The mid-size crossover will slot between the now compact Equinox and full-size Traverse. Despite its iconic name, it’s likely based on the C1XX platform and should wear proportions similar to the GMC Acadia.

Spy shots: Motor1

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Chevy needs to add AWD to at least its mid size car. AWD is becoming more and more a hot item people want on their vehicles whether it be a car or SUV. Lets also hope the next gen Impala if there is one, gets AWD as a option.

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    1. Can’t agree more. Chevy desperately needs an AWD sedan on the market if it is going to keep them alive.

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  2. 4WD isn’t for me but I miss the V6.

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  3. The Malibu needs a diesel engine in adition to AWD option especially for the premier trim. But the what the Impala needs really is an SS version with the 3.6 LF4 v6 with 460+ hp.

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    1. I’d like to see the Impala SS come with a detuned version (500-600bhp) of the 5.5L V8 going into the mid-engine Corvette, but it won’t happen.

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      1. To do this right it needs an Alpha. But then again will people pay in the $40k range as it would be priced like a Camaro.

        If you do t on the present platform then you just have a GPGXP and we already know that it was a mistake.

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  4. While the Chevy Malibu isn’t a very heavy weight, using the same engine as the Chevy Cruze as the base engine is a critical mistake as the engine simply needs to work to hard which means trying to get EPA mileage is virtually impossible as the LWC 1.6L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo found in the Buick Cascada would be perfect as it generates 200 horsepower meaning it wouldn’t need to work as hard which should equate to better mileage.

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    1. The Cruze uses a 1.4 liter. Not the 1.5. Not a huge difference, but a difference none-the-less.

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      1. Sorry the second gen Cruze come with 1.5 163hp engine too.

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        1. Please google “2016 Chevy Cruze engine specs”

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          1. Sorry man, I was wrong. I think that my wish for a more powerful Cruze interfered with the specs of the BU.

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  5. For all those wanting a Diesel and or Awd the question is just how much do you expect people to pay. Or what are you willing to give up content wise to pay for it?

    The Regal was Awd and was stickered at $42k a few years ago. The price will be more on the new model.

    The present loaded Bu is $36k already.

    The Ford Fussion is over $42 in top trim an moves less than 10% of production.

    Sorry but the boring Camy sell more and makes more in this segment because it is what the car in this segment needs to be affordable and precieved as reliable.

    Most going AWD are going SUV anyways and Chevy can get a higher price there.

    I own a Bu but I sure as hell would not pay more. Nice car but I would go Buick or som other GM product before paying more.

    Reply
    1. There are options that Chevy should not be able to offer such as adaptive cruise control, ventilated seats, heated steering wheel etc. This is where Buick would come into place. GM has the luxury of 3 car lines where other company’s don’t. You make chevy what it once was, standard, Buick near luxo and Cadillac full luxo. Minius a few of those options and you can easily keep the chevy price down and still give people AWD.

      Reply
      1. I absolutely hate that way of think, but that is how GM has been running the company. Options should be allowed a crossed all brands. GM should stop think it’s competing with itself, because it’s really not. There are tons of brands out there for a customer to choose from. If a customer is cross shopping a Buick to Chevy, then it a win-win, but most are crossing them against a Ford, Toyota, Hyundia, Honda, and others, not just the GM family.

        If GM allows all options on all their brands then they could truly see what brands people actually value other than artificially propping them up via option restrictions. I do not like GMC’s styling and I love Chevys styling, but certain options are only avaible on GMC like 6.2L or comfort features, but based on my own preference of what I think looks good I would still not own a GMC, but rather “settle” for less options for a better looking truck or SUV.

        Reply
        1. I understand your point but let me ask you why should somone that pays over 70 grand for a Cadillac see someone driving a 30K Chevy with the same features and luxury options. I understand for decades we had the funnel down effect in terms of luxury features like auto climate control, heated seats, nav systems and on and on. Where is the line drawn? When do you stop the funnel down effect? We are to a point that there is not a whole lot that a true luxo car can offer that a lower model can’t. Other then rear seat packages and night vision, you can get almost all options in a lower end car. In my opinion that is wrong.

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    2. Scott:

      Sorry, but if GM can offer an AWD Trax at a reasonable price, I see no reason why they can’t do the same with a Malibu and Impala. Many people would be willing to pay a $1000-$1500 upcharge for it. As for Buick, sure they are in the GM umbrella, but there are many that view it as a separate brand that they would not consider or that is not for them. They will just move on to a Ford or Subaru or something else. I’m not sure where you are getting the prices for an AWD Regal, but according to Buick’s website, an AWD Regal can be had for as little as $32,390

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    3. GM has to clearly separate its brands people who likes Chevy won’t necessarily likes Buick or Caddy. There is another thing I noticed in some comments, is Chevy a lox cost brand??? cause when I read people will not pay for a malibu with that cost, sorry but i do think that GM must give choice to customers. for who want to pay for a premium trim or AWD a sport version, and so on, but I didn’t understand that poor philosophy that oblige people to go for another brand within GM for some features.

      Reply
  6. A few easy tweaks can easily get the 1.5T up to 170-180 HP. Note that it is rated for 170 in the Equinox already. 160 is the lowest power rating of any competitor and even with the weight loss the Malibu feels underpowered. The stop/start needs a simple defeat switch, the L model should be relegated to fleets only, the LS model needs to offer a few options to dress it up such as 17″ alloy wheels, body colored exterior mirrors, a power seat etc. The Sport should automatically come with the 2.0T. I would offer the following models-

    L for fleets only
    LS- the retail base model for 23495. Offer a convenience/appearance package with 17″ alloy wheels, body colored exterior mirrors and an 8 -way power seat for 795.00

    LT- 25995 basically the current car but with std leather wheel and Apple carplay and Android auto

    Sport- 28995- std 2.0T and 9 speed auto with paddle shifters. Option package of Redline model with black exterior trim and larger 19″ wheels
    Premier- 30995- as is currently

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  7. For those wanting a better Malibu, look at the 2018 Buick Regal, later this year.

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    1. Tru dat. Regal GS is actually German for Malibu SS.

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    2. The only problems with that is a wait until Fall for the new model which will only be a 4 door hatch or wagon. And it will be considerably more pricey than the Malibu.

      Reply

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