The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu refresh has gone somewhat unnoticed, which is not surprising considering the population’s general disinterest in mid-size sedans. We recently came across some photos of the sedan taken at the launch of the 2019 Malibu Diesel in Korea, however, that show the updated Malibu’s front end up close, giving us a better look at the facelifted Chevy’s various intricacies.
One interesting part of this design is the upper portion of the grille. The top portion of the grille runs directly into the headlight, where the LED strip in the light makes it look as though the grille signature continues. We think this is a neat little design detail that has gone largely unnoticed, so we thought we’d bring it to your attention.
The same grille segment that extends to meet the LED strip in the headlight also extends downward to frame large lower grille opening, another interesting design detail you may have missed.
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu has received a new pair of fog lights as well. The pre-facelift Malibu featured L-shaped fog lights that formed a full C-shape via a chrome trim piece. The 2019 Malibu, by comparison, gets more traditional fog lights with an integrated lower intake vent. The intake vent also meets a black lower trim piece, which serves as a protective chin guard of sorts. How many times have you scraped your bumper on a steep driveway or speed bump?
You may remember that the ninth-generation Malibu was originally designed by wunderkind designer Jaymer Starbody, who was 22-years old when he penned the sketch that ultimately became the production car you see on roads today. It’s unclear who was responsible for making the changes this updated 2019 model, although Chevrolet’s executive director of global design, John Cafaro, likely would have signed off on it. Nice changes, John!
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu (fancy grille and all!) starts at $21,680 in the United States.
Stay tuned to GMÂ Authority for more Chevrolet news and Chevy Malibu news coverage.
Comments
If you think this grille is cool you really should check out the Camry up close. They didn’t just stop with bigger or wider means better–the bars themselves protrude out here and there, appearing artfully sculpted, or at least shaped by the wind.
Even if you’re not fond of the overall appearance of the Camry grille for some reason, the detailing looks years ahead of any GM product and adds a real premium touch, IMO.
You must be joking…..or high or I don’t even know……
Seriously this place is just ridiculous……
2 hot dog turds on a plate…..
“Toyota’s dog turd is sooooooo clearly superior to GM’s dog turd……”
Come on……
What I find really ridiculous are people that go out of their way to embrace mediocrity.
I’m talking about the grille bars themselves, which you have to see in person, and I really don’t care what you think of Toyota. I’m not sure if what I was looking at was a hybrid or what, but the detailing and the look is unmistakably more premium than any simple grille bar GM has offered in my lifetime on any product.
BTW, go look at a 2016 Honda Civic. Honda was doing exactly what this article mentioned years ago.
Argue for your weaknesses and you get to keep them.
Nice doubling down on your horsesh*t……
“but the detailing and the look is unmistakably more premium than any simple grille bar GM has offered in my lifetime on any product.”
Here let me help you triple down so you feel better.
The Camry grille is the most amazing human achievement of all time, landing on the moon, splitting the atom, pasteurization…….all crap compared to this majestic molded piece of plastic, GM really should just close the rest of its factories right now”
“offered in my lifetime on any product”
Best grille in your lifetime? What are you like 6 months old? How do you type, does the keyboard hang over your crib like a mobile? I’m curious
Funny whenever we see a new Camry, especially the sporty SE and XSE trims, it looks as if the car was in a wreck. The so called design is a mish mash of ill coordinated dashes, hashes, lines, louvers and a massive black plastic hot mess of a grille.
This is a better and bolder look for the Malibu, really expressive. One of the better mid cycle refresh styling from GM. Now for GM to properly market and package the Malibu accordingly.
Oooo no one has hated this yet? Can I be the first?
?? ugly front ends…
New Chevrolet twin port grill got worst…..
Do you mean the grille got “worse” or “wurst” as in it actually turned into sausage?
Now I want to grill some wurst….mmmmmmmm
I don’t know what has happened to Chevrolet over the years to bring its styling this. Chevrolet has produced some of the most iconic and beautifully styled American cars ever produced, but somehow they lost their way. I hope that someday they will find their way back.