Even though it’s getting harder and harder to find a Bow Tie-branded sedan these days, the Chevrolet Malibu is holding steady with a selection of changes and updates for the 2020 model year. Included in the list of what’s new and different is a revised front fascia for the sporty RS trim level.
The biggest difference between the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS and the preceding 2019 model year is the front grille surround. Unlike the all-black surround found in the 2019 model-year vehicle, the 2020 model year adds a chrome surround that makes a huge difference in terms of aesthetics.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS
2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS
Indeed, with a shiny new grille surround, the 2020 model-year car gains a more premium appearance, with elegant lines that run from the headlamp lighting accents down into the geometric grille section. The signature lighting lower in the bumper complements the look as well, paralleling the outer edge of the grille.
2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS
By contrast, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu’s all-black grille section gives the front end a broader aesthetic, without any clear division between the upper and lower intake sections. To our eyes, the look is sportier on the 2019 model-year car, and more high-end/premium on the 2020 car.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS
However, both models sport the same black grille insert, with a descending chevron design that stretches from side to side.
In addition to the new fascia design, the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu also comes with a new design for the standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, gaining a broader split-five-spoke design compared to the Y-spoke design seen previously.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS
2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS
Mechanically, the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS is once again equipped with the turbocharged 1.5L LFV four-cylinder engine, which is tuned to produce 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Output is routed to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
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Comments
Chrome ? Not impressed . Mary you gave that an ok ? WTF really.
So typical of GM…2 steps forward, one step back.
Sure, though late to the game, the changes to the front grille, body-colored antenna, and darker badging may look a little better. But then, instead of topping that off with eye-catching ‘jewelry’ in the form of an interesting wheel choice (like the 2019 MY) or an RS-worthy 19″ option, they demean their restyling efforts by resurrecting the old (not-so-hot) 18″ LT-upgrade wheel from 2016-18.
Let me guess: the take rate on these wheels wasn’t quite as good as they expected for 2016-18, so now they have a bunch of them sitting in a warehouse collecting dust, or they’re still contractually obligated to a supplier for a production run of these wheels. As usual, GM takes note of a ‘sinking ship’ in its line-up and tells its crew, “You won’t be needing ALL of those buckets for bailing, will you? We’ll take a few, thank-you-very-much.” A prudent business strategy?…sure, but the optics are pretty poor.
@Eric Nast @Scott ZL1 Oh quit complaining, god sometimes I can’t stand the people who comment on this stuff. If one thing is not to your taste you gotta blame the whole industry.
Hey, if the Malibu RS becomes the top seller in its segment and dealers can’t order them fast enough because ‘sexy!’, I’ll eat my hat! Otherwise, that wheel choice looks like an opportunistic choice to save some cost on a sunsetting model in a shrinking segment. As I said, it’s a prudent business move, but it doesn’t stoke any fire in the heart of this enthusiast.
@Matt,
Not blaming the industry, wow did you come up with that. GM Corp. Not listening to consumers and imho they don’t care, try something new. Make GM great again !!! GYSOT
Front end looks a lot better. All black is terrible. Its good to seem them make yearly changes to the car like they did years ago. Its smart so someone buying a new one doesn’t’ look the same as some ones 3 years older. The rims are nice on either year the 2020 looks more up scale. They really should offer the 2.0t in this though
Sedans these days are hard to get in and out of with these low A and C pillars. The older crowd that prefer sedans aren’t fans of the design. They look nice but are impractical. Seen my relatives struggle getting in and out. SUV makes it easier as long as not too tall.
If U.S, sedans are hard to get in and out, try the European sedans, especially the Italians. You need a roof crane to get out!
@Y2k Ima be honest i love the new style of the sedans. I have to say this but that was the reason why i still currently like them today, because of the sport feel they have now. I understand that the older generation may not like it, but they need to understand that times are changing and everything has to evolve one way or another.
It looks like the side door mirrors are a bit different too.
This looks almost identical to my 19 Cruze front end, which is the most attractive of any brand made.
That is one ugly car!! Did they steal the design from some LEXUS engineer who also got the award for the ugly grill!
Malibu will fail.
Every time I see one and that’s not very often, I wonder if someone dropped a load on the hood up front to flatten the face.
I’m sorry but today’s vehicles are just ugly and very uncomfortable.
FYI those 18″ rims are from 2016-2018 so it looks like they found yet another way to save a few bucks on the RS model. This exact wheel in fact was the std wheel on the 2016 Malibu 2.0T LT model which gave customers a more affordable way into the far more powerful 2.0T engine. I can’t criticize this move too much as 19″ tires are gross overkill on a lower trim level car with only 160 HP and unnecessary and they make a little more sense on the highest trim Premier. They really need to get off their high horse and make the 2.0T available on the RS trim level or at least bump up the lowest in it’s class 160 HP to a higher figure for the 1.5T! The front end is definitely an improvement though.
I really hope that the rear spoiler shown in the pics of the 2020 model is an option and not standard. I hate them, had one on a car year ago and tended to be nothing but a huge dirt collector.