After its introduction for the 2016 model year, the Chevrolet Malibu is in for a mid-cycle refresh for 2019. We’ve spotted the mid-size sedan testing on numerous occasions in the United States, but these new spy shots come from across the Atlantic.
The photos show the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu wearing European license plates, and after identifying a regional roadway sign, it’s evident the prototypes are testing in the country of Spain. We don’t have a particular reason as to why the car is there since General Motors most recently sold off its European operations to France’ PSA Groupe, which includes the Zaragoza, Spain, factory. GM did retain its Turin powertrain facility, however.
This is purely speculation on our part, but it could mean the 2019 Malibu will arrive with the same 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine found in the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. The Turin, Italy, facility has been instrumental in GM diesel development and the cars may have simply made the trip to Spain for additional testing.
What is clear is the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu will sport a revised front fascia and new daytime-running light design, as shown in the photos. Additional camouflage leads us to believe other design tweaks are present as well, but the rear taillights are completely exposed, likely indicating no tweaks back there.
We’ll likely see the updated Malibu debut sometime in 2018.
Spy shots: Motor Authority
Comments
Yellow rear turn signals are back. I wanted them from the beginning and it was obvious Chevy was ready to implement them in the future by leaving those white outside lights unoccupied. They’ve done the same with previous gen Malibu as well. New Equinox has the same design. I think yellow turn signals are more visible and look better at the same time.
I’ve been wondering why Chevy had designed their tail lights with all that “white space”. IMO Brake lights shouldn’t double as turn signals because when one light is out and the other is being used for signaling there’s only the 3rd brake light visable. Similar when people have flashers on and start braking
Why just 1.6 diesel,why not a 2.0 diesel engine with more power???
I wonder why there isn’t a refresh for the Impala???
They had better be planning more power for the base and volume 1.5T with a class trailing 160 HP or sales will continue to drop. Adding the 9 speed would also help both power and mileage some. The new Accord and Camry for 2018 already will make this car look old hat and uncompetitive in many ways so if Gm had a clue they would be doing more than a new front end on this refresh.
Unfortunately power probably won’t change. If it does it will be slight. But adding the nine speed to the 1.5t will help out a lot. It took off 5 tenths from the 0 to 60 and I believe 4 tenths from the quarter mile for the 2.0t. Essentially matching the 2016 accord straight line performance. While being down on power. I think gm thinks it’s saving grace is that it’s the lightest vehicle in the segment. Because with the 2.0t it’s a little under 3300 lbs.
How does the Malibu compare with the Accord and Camary in performance and mileage? If the are comparable in mileage and performance the I am ok with HP shortage but if not they to fix it so that it is the leader in both performance and gas mileage.
It beats them both in torque, but loses hp battle. Matches Camry 0-60 and loses by 0.4s to Accord for base engines (2.4L Accord, 2.5L Camry and 1.5T Malibu)
Current 2018 Malibu is rated for 160/184 for engine power and 27/36 for mileage
New 2018 Camry with base 2.5 is rated 203/184 for power and 29/41 MPG for base L and 28/39 for the other models
2018 Accord is been rated for 192/192 for power and 40 highway MPG is rumored but we will have to see.
So overall the Malibu is down in performance and gas mileage. That’s not the right formular to compete. Hopfully GM will see the litght and fix that. But it seems they are ok with being second or third best.
Guess I’ll keep driving my ’09 LT V6. I hate 4 pots and turbos.
Well 6 cyl in midsize car is kinda dying breed now. Only V6 offered in midsize are Camry Passat and Altima. Fusion sport is the TT V6
GM should have put the updated 2.5 4cyl engine it wrongfully place in the Cadillac ATS into the latest Malibu as the base engine. Look folks, the Mazda 6 and Camry 2.5s are more powerful and yet more fuel efficient than those lame 1.5T in the Malibu and Equinox.
GM have to start spreading there latest transmissions throughout the product line and not limited to the top model. Gentleman, this old GM strategy is utter retarded in so many ways and yet they continue to do this nonsense, time after time.
To GM, don’t just re-engineer front fascias and colors for mid-life updates, but improve your powertrains in all your vehicles when the time comes for a mid-life refresh. Now that’s responding to market trends and to your competitors, just as Ford have done with its prize F-Series trucks each and every time in order to maintained strong sales. So lets see if GM learns anything in the future.
Have you test drove 2.5 Malibu before?
A 2.5 turbo engine would be better
That would pretty much make the 3.6 Obsolete because that would produce more power than a 3.6 and again not everyone would prefer a turbo 4 over a 6. I don’t mind if they do 2.5t but doubt that’s gonna happen.
The 2016 Passat bas a 2.0 tdi with 290 HP and 400 nm of torque. So, why using a 1.6 and go down on power???
sorry but the Passat Diesel does not have 290 hp. It’s more like 140-150 hp. Unless you’re referring to a European passat.
Oups 190hp not 290hp
I hope it loses the sucker fish look of the grille and the jowls for fog and driving lights thing on the front end. They need to address the droopy butt too. 🙂
I have 3 Malibu’s a 15, and 16 limited and a 16 new style, I love the ride and handling , style of the 15, and the 16 limited. now the 16 new style ? here’s what has to change #1 the headlamps suck at night , after spending 32 grand you would think your good but the clarity and the visibility of the lamps are as bad as having bolted on lanterns from an Amish buggy in the 70’s, and the color is not even close to the fog lamps,. example dim yellow headlamp bulbs to bright white fog lamps believe me the preference at night was driving the old body style until I spent an extra few hundred dollars on hid kits.. #2 body refresh, the 15 body style front and rear lamps were perfect. guess the designers forgot to ask the consumer for advise from all aspects not just a few people, 90’s cookie cut outs are coming back, the new Buick lacrosse, regal have the same body/slope shape as the Malibu, and until you see it from the front or back you would think you were in a Lincoln commercial from the late 80’s where are all the Cadillac’s, don’t get me wrong I love all Gm cars, trucks but if you are going to make them look like Audi’s then my next car will be a Lincoln for sure.