The Chevrolet Malibu entered its latest ninth generation for the 2016 model year, breaking cover at the 2015 New York International Auto Show as as the 2016 Malibu. Offering a brand new exterior design, a longer wheelbase, and lighter curb weight over its predecessor, the ninth-gen Malibu also offers two gas-only engine options, including a standard turbocharged 1.5L four and an optional turbocharged 2.0L four. And now, we’re finally getting some official acceleration specs for these two engine options, straight from GM.
Let’s start with the entry-level 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, which cradles GM’s relatively new turbocharged 1.5L I4 LFV. This powerplant is tuned to produce upwards of 163 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm, all of which is sent to the front axle by way of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which replaced the regular 6-speed for the 2019 model year. Properly motivated, the LFV will propel the Chevrolet Malibu to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.3 seconds.
That’s roughly on par with the last-gen Malibu’s naturally aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder LCV engine, which managed a sprint to 62 mph in 9.1 seconds.
What’s more, the latest Malibu’s 9.3-second acceleration figure pairs with some decent fuel economy numbers. According to fueleconomy.gov, Chevrolet Malibu models equipped with the turbo 1.5L manage 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, averaging out to 32 mpg combined.
For those who prefer extra mph over mpg, the Chevrolet Malibu also offers the optional turbocharged 2.0L inline four-cylinder LTG, which doles out upwards of 250 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. The 2.0L replaces the 1.5L’s CVT with the GM nine-speed automatic transmission, once again feeding the front wheels. With more power under the hood, the Malibu hits 62 mpg in “just over six seconds,” according to GM.
| Engine | Power (hp @ engine rpm) | Torque (lb-ft @ engine rpm) | Transmission | 0-60 mph (seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L inline four-cylinder LFV | 160 @ 5700 | 184 @ 2500 | CVT | 9.3 |
| 2.0L inline four-cylinder LTG | 250 @ 5300 | 260 @ 2000 | nine-speed auto | 6 |
Notably, we believe that the Malibu Hybrid is probably quicker than the model with the 2.0L turbo-charged LTG, but no official acceleration specs are available for that model just yet.
It’s also worth noting that the Malibu will be spared – at least for now – as GM streamlines its product lineup to offer fewer sedans and cars and more crossovers and utilities.
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That is respectively Chevrolet Impala Premier numbers 0-60 in seconds, but the Impala comes available and standard on Premier trim with a 3.6L V6 mated to a six-speed transmission with 305 horsepower, but the Impala is roughly around 3800 lbs.
I think C&D got a 0-60 time of 8.3 seconds from the CVT equipped 2019 Malibu RS which was actually a 1/10 slower than the previous 6 speed automatic car. They tested a premier with the 2.0T and got 5.6 seconds. Where they are wrong is the older 2013-2016 Malibu's equipped with the 197 HP 2.5. Those were easily 7.5 second 0-60 cars in LS and LT trim levels and were noticeably quicker than the far weaker 160 Hp 1.5T current models. My heavier 2017 2.5 equipped Impala does around 8 seconds to 60 and that weights several hundred LBS more than the previous generation Malibu.
With more power under the hood, the Malibu hits 62 mpg in “just over six seconds,” according to GM.
shoot give me 62 MPG as soon as i lift off the gas pedal lmao
Given the era to which we currently find ourselves, the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu is a major accomplishment especially as it'll still be able to get almost 36 mpg mileage.
It's a conservative number I have the 6 spd 1.5t. on hwy I see close to 44 average and 48 is best that I've seen.
It would be nice if GM stop with "Real people, not actors" crap and show this car in action with dynamic camera angles. They should consider designating the L model for service/fleet use only with the 2.5L engine standard/heavy duty suspension and also available for LS and RS models. The 2.0L Turbo should be available for the RS and LT models.
Its like Chevrolet dont want this car to sell in a CUV intensive market!
Don't force people into worse gas mileage just because they want a few decent options on their car. If they want a more powerful engine, they can pay for it.
As for me, I have a long drive to work without a single drag strip along the way.
IMO the Malibu should still have the 2.5 engine maybe in the RS models and available on the L-LT versions. Hitch it to the CVT or 9 speed and MPG wouldn't be far off the 1.5T.
"Notably, we believe that the Malibu Hybrid is probably quicker than the model with the 2.0L turbo-charged LTG, but no official acceleration specs are available for that model just yet."
Based on some reviews I've seen, it's not quite that quick, but it is quite a bit quicker than the 1.5T - C&D hit 60 in 7.4 seconds with their 2016 Hybrid (their '16 2.0T hit 60 in 6.1, so GM's numbers are right on the mark), so it's quite a good compromise, while yielding some very impressive fuel economy.
It would appeal to me with the new 2.7T engine with 310-320 hp. I have liked the style lately on the Malibu.
I'm glad they getting something out of the 2020 cause my 2018 with the 1.5 is dangerously underpowered.
I have noticed most new models with the option engine are now in the Six second range. Even the CUV models are in six seconds with good MPG.
Even the mid size trucks can creep into the 5 second range too.
It was not too long ago performance models would not break into the 6 second range.
"I have noticed most new models with the option engine are now in the Six second range. Even the CUV models are in six seconds with good MPG"
Yes, plus it's illegal to travel/sustain over 100mph in America where a sedan/coupe would shine, the SUV/Pickup/CUV are for the most part matching light performance cars with utility to spare. No, I'm not in favor of the trend but that's where the money at.
In the future I hope Malibu and Regal would be put on Alpha to cut Cadillac costs and give remaining midsize sedan buyers something to look forward to.