The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS – Chevy’s new sporty-looking model in the midsize Malibu sedan lineup – will start at $24,995 including $875 destination charge, according to our friends at CarsDirect. That’s exactly $1,000 more expensive than the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu LS model, the website reports, and considering the equipment that comes with the upgrade, it might just be worth it for the buyer seeking a bit more of a sporty appearance.
On the other hand, buyers hoping they’ve found Chevrolet’s answer to Ford’s Focus RS compact hot-hatch will be sorely disappointed, as the “RS” badge doesn’t carry quite so much weight at GM’s bowtie division. Like the L and LS models that slot below it in the lineup, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS will be powered by GM’s turbocharged, 163-horsepower 1.5L LFV inline-four, paired with a continuously-variable transmission for the first time in the Malibu.
For $1,000 more than the reasonably-priced Chevrolet Malibu LS, Malibu RS customers can look forward to sporty black grilles, black-out bowtie emblems, a decklid spoiler, dual-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior is made a tad more special with the addition of a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. The seats make do with standard black cloth.
CarsDirect notes that the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS with its $24,995 base price comfortably undercuts both the Honda Accord Sport and Toyota Camry SE by more than $1,000, but that it commands a higher price than the A/T Mazda6 Sport at $23,895.
Chevrolet Malibu sales are way down in 2018 compared to their all-time high in 2016, when GM moved some 227k units of the midsize family car. It’s worth noting that the Malibu’s sales record is quite a bit lower than the US-market Ford Fusion’s all-time peak of more than 306k units in 2014. Ford has, of course, chosen to phase out all of its “traditional sedan” models in North America over the coming years, potentially leaving more room for the Chevrolet Malibu and its like later down the road – assuming they stick around.
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Comments
Sporty looking but mind numbing to drive. No thanks.
Sporty suspension? Nope.
Manual? Nope.
More power? Nope.
GM needs to look at the Honda Accord sport for inspiration. This is a pass.
You forgot to mention that the Malibu has Stop Start that you cant deactivate.
Stop/Start. Possibly the dumbest idea, ever. And while we’re at it, how about the soul-sucking CVT? If Chevrolet is looking for additional ways to drive people out of passenger cars, the CVT is definitely a plus.
You will be able to turn it off in the 2019 Malibu.
“On the other hand, buyers hoping they’ve found Chevrolet’s answer to Ford’s Focus RS compact hot-hatch will be sorely disappointed, as the “RS” badge doesn’t carry quite so much weight at GM’s bowtie division.”
Historically, it hasn’t, either – aside from maybe a random vehicle here and there (Sonic RS was slightly upgraded), the RS has almost always been an appearance-only package.
Needs a Malibu SS model with a 300 hp engine (new 2.7T) to sell to anyone who actually likes cars. Dumbing down with a CVT shows this cars is for the masses who only go from point A to point B and who could care less as long as the car looks nice.
Only available with the 1.5T. Pass. Make it available with the 2.0T and 9 speed. Sucks that you can only get the better engine in the top level trim.
Without the RS appearance the 2.0t will be coming back as an option on the LT trim.
smh at GM. When I was nagging GM about the lack of a RS package for their main line midsize sedan, I assumed if there was to be a RS it would have the appearance package, FE1 suspension, freer breathing air intake, and at least the old but reliable 6 six speed auto. But GM reminds me of who they are and they do unpopular things. The RS package is supposed to include the LT trim, if you want a appearance package only then select the Redline Edition.
Alas what we get is just an appearance package for the lower trims, and with CVT transmission to boot. I hope it works out!
Chevy’s biggest mistake is no real FWD/AWD performance options, just appearance packages. Ford offers the Focus ST, Fusion Sport, Edge ST, and Explorer Sport. GM could start proliferating the 3.0L TT and 3.6L TT into other brands and models besides Cadillac. These engines could be detuned and given new RPO codes so as to not take away from Cadillac’s exclusivity. I would love to see the new Blazer get a real 3.6TT performance package that includes suspension and braking upgrades.
They should have just added the 9 spd instead of the cvt. They just added more cost by having 2 transmissions instead of just one. The 9 spd increased the performance of the 8 spd/2.0t Malibu by a fair margin. It would have most likely increased the performance of the 1.5t without having to increase hp. Sure the HP is low at 163. But its one of the lightest if not the lightest mid size in it’s class. They shouldn’t have to increase hp. I won’t stop them if they did. But the 9 spd alone would have done the trick without adding hp.
I do wish that they did turn the RS package into an actual sport package with upgraded suspension, and engine. But I see why they aren’t doing such. My opinion is due to the fact that even though the Malibu is a very good car even down to the handling even though it’s not as great as the touring accord or accord sport, compared to the accord and Camry, nobody is buying the Malibu competitively. And unfortunately since they are losing sales also to CUV’s it guess they need to try and keep the costs low and possible to make this car and it’s probably the reason for the CVT add and the 6spd AT delete. Just a guess. Would I buy this? I would but in 2.0t to get the 9 speed. But you know what CVT’s are almost everywhere so therefor I will eventually have to just embrace it or hope that VW doesn’t go that route.