mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

The 2022 Chevy Malibu Will Drop These Two Paint Colors

The 2022 Chevy Malibu is set to arrive as the seventh model year of the latest ninth-generation vehicle. Among the changes and updates for the 2022 model year is the discontinuation of two exterior paint options.

Shadow Gray Metallic

Shadow Gray Metallic

Black Cherry Metallic

Black Cherry Metallic

The 2022 Chevy Malibu is set to drop Shadow Gray Metallic and Black Cherry Metallic from the exterior colors list. Shadow Gray Metallic is tagged with paint code GJI, while Black Cherry Metallic is tagged with paint code GLR. Both colors were available on all trim levels with the exception of the base Malibu L, and in conjunction with all interior colors combinations.

Notably, Shadow Gray Metallic and Black Cherry Metallic are built out for the 2021 model year, which means they are no longer available to order for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu.

As GM Authority has covered previously, the 2022 Chevy Malibu is also set to discontinue the base-model L trim level, just like the 2022 Chevy Equinox, making the 2022 Chevy Malibu LS the new entry-level trim going forward. Additionally, the 2022 Chevy Malibu will come equipped with an electronic parking brake as standard across the lineup. For the sake of the comparison, the 2021 Malibu is equipped with a manual parking brake as standard, while an electronic brake is offered on the Premier trim level.

The Chevrolet Malibu is one of the last remaining General Motors sedans still available in the U.S., with the Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5 offered as the only other GM four-doors for the U.S. market.

At the moment, the future of the Chevy Malibu nameplate remains uncertain. As GM Authority reported previously, the Malibu sedan will likely get the axe following the 2023 model year.

For now at least, the Chevy Malibu is offered with two engine options, including the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LFV gasoline engine producing 163 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG gasoline engine producing 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Malibu news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

[nggallery id=988]

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. GM continues to shrink their sedan portfolio driving consumers over to Honda and Toyota where at some point they’ll move on to crossovers from those brands. They won’t return to GM.

    Reply
    1. What really bothers me about the Malibu is that you’ve got to spend $35k just to get the 2.0L turbo. Less than $35k? Sorry, you’re getting a 1.5L with a CVT. That can’t be great for sales.
      For that kind of money, surely people are looking at other manufacturers.

      Reply
      1. You also have to go to the second highest trim (LT) to get heated seats. This is a standard feature in most vehicles.

        Reply
        1. True, but at least that’s $7k less than upgrading from the base motor and CVT.

          Maybe they are trying to kill this vehicle off.

          Reply
        2. Richard P … BuyaToyota.com says base model Toyota LE – heated seats are available with option package, not standard. ? carbuzz.com – 2021 Accord LX – Heated Front Seat(s) not available, Heated Rear Seat(s) not available. Couldn’t find info on Honda.com. Look it up.

          Reply
          1. You’re absolutely right. The Malibu is positioned quite similarly to the Accord and Camry. Thanks for spotting that. The latter two however offer heated seats as standard in Canada due to the colder climate. The Malibu stays with the US paradigm and doesn’t offer them until the LT trim, which is very unusual for Canada.

            Reply
    2. You´re right. Not everybody likes crossovers or SUV´s or in willing to buy one no matter what. I´m owner of a Chevy Volt and a Chevy Malibu, but when the time comes to trade them, if GM doesn´t have a sedan, my next purchase will be a Model S, a Model 3 or an european sedan. But there´s no human power that´s going to make me buy a crossover or an SUV for the simple reason that I don´t like them. Market is cyclic and since no human activity lasts forever, the actual crossover/SUV cancer will pass too.

      Reply
      1. Well fortunately the soaring gas prices will hopefully cause the SUV craze to crash and burn ASAP.

        Reply
    3. DW
      Then why do Honda and Toyota Sedan sales keep falling?
      BTW: A 5 year old Malibu will connect with your devices better and it will have a more power dense engine than any Honda or Toyota made today.

      Reply
      1. You should let the general public know about how much better a Malibu is then, because they are buying twice as many Accords and three times as many Camrys.

        Reply
        1. Nate
          So what? Basking Robins has 31 flavors of ice cream. The most popular is vanilla. I don’t want to drive vanilla.

          Reply
          1. “So what?” Seriously?

            You may not want one, but your fellow Americans prefer them.

            Anyway, you’re the one claiming their sales were falling too, and I was just putting that in perspective.

            Reply
            1. Nate
              The fact that car sales are falling is established law. It would take more than a tantrum from the great Mar•a• lardo to overturn it.

              Reply
    4. What a bunch of numb skulls out there. When are people going to realize there is very little difference between a transverse unibody sedan and a transverse unibody crossover? The only differences are; you have better visibility and internal storage capacity on the crossover. Plus, crossovers of late usually have available awd. Why would you have a sedan? It’s a half @$$ed vehicle unless it’s rwd. This is why GM and everyone for that matter are dropping sedans. Buyers of today do more research. Why have a Malibu when you can have blazer? If you need sleekness get Camaro or Corvette. But who ever NEEDED sleekness? Capability is a must have.

      Reply
      1. Hmm, then maybe everyone should get Minivans over transverse engined crossovers using this logic as they have more room for cargo and passengers than crossovers.

        Reply
        1. Minivans are crossovers. In fact, they are the original crossover.

          Reply
      2. How good for you that you find better visibility or internal storage in a crossover than in a sedan and that you find little difference. That´s not always true. There are many sedans with more capacity than many crossovers. Besides, since the gravity center in a crossover is higher, a sedan is much more fun to drive. At least for me. Everytime I drive a crossover or an SUV I feel I´m driving a tractor for the simple reason that I don´t like that high position when driving and I don´t feel them as stable as sedans particularly on roads with many curves. And that´s a big difference. Maybe that´s a matter of taste and maybe I belong to a minority but I don´t share your opinion. I want sleekness and capability and no other vehicle does that better than a sedan, so I will buy a Malibu over a Blazer all the time. Not only that, I would buy a Malibu (I have one by the way), but I would NOT buy a Blazer. Not today, not never. I´m over 5 decades old and it´s not true that buyers today make more research. Today you can buy a car via internet reading a bunch of data that most of the people don´t understand or don´t even care about. In my youth, you had to drive the car, feel the car and see it physically and not in a screen. The fact that most people buys crossovers or SUV´s today, doesn´t mean it´s a better way. It´s just a matter of fashion and tastes, but since no human activity lasts forever, the actual crossover/SUV cancer will pass too.

        Reply
      3. Josh, I don’t disagree with your assessment, but the reason some people still want the Malibu or sedan is that they get better gas mileage and they are a lot less expensive, it’s no secret the SUV’s and trucks are the profit generators for the manufacturers, thus the sedans going away.

        Reply
    5. That’s because GM and the current CEO have their heads so far up their asses, and no clue what consumers want. In the meantime decreasing market share even more. The big H and T and Korean brands are spitting them out like candy.

      Reply
      1. And I’d bet when a transmission slips and jerks the Koreans don’t fail the customer by saying it’s normal.

        Reply
        1. Dan
          True, the Koreans said to park outside. Because the cars may catch fire.

          Reply
      2. Paul
        Real People are buying Trucks, Crossovers & SUVs

        Reply
        1. Real people buy what they like and want. And many real people are buying also sedans and sports cars today.

          Reply
          1. In a time of vehicle shortages, seems there are a lot of sedans siting on dealership lots left unsold.

            Reply
  2. Hopefully this is not the end for FFX Assembly. Would not be the first time unofficial media was ahead of the curve tho.

    Reply
  3. What is the paint code for a 2018 Malibu painted “Pepperdust”?

    Reply
    1. GMU

      Reply
  4. Leaving the 3 usual rental color and one extra cost red and one blue as the only choices. Hurray. Let the shrinking continue- of GM

    Reply
    1. This should make gm customers want a new gm lektrick. Not…

      Reply
    2. Joe…..After cancelling the Gray and Black Cherry, Malibu has Silver, White, Blue, Black, and extra cost Red. Honda.com shows Accord has three no cost colors(rental car?) including black, silver and steel metallic(oh and red for sport model only). But they do have extra cost optional colors including white pearl, red, gray pearl and blue(all +$395). Toyota Camry offers silver, blue, black, gray and aqua(prob the biggest seller) at no cost. Extra cost colors are red, white, and several two tones(up to +$900) on the TRD. Honda and Toyota offerings are 2021 colors so the lineup for 2022 may not be known yet. Manufacturer volume is typically no cost colors and not extra cost colors. So Honda offers four no cost colors and Toyota offers five no cost colors(aqua is fifth), both brands offer almost identical no cost color lineup compared to the Malibu. But both offer more extra cost colors which are low runners. GM typically cancelled colors that were less that 3% of volume. So not much difference in color offerings across the three brands. And yes the Honda & Toyota color chart includes the usual rental car colors.

      Reply
  5. Another cost cutting move, at some point you will need to build a car that people want and then ADVERTISE it. Too bad I really like the Malibu, have an 09 and looking to update. Still dreaming about the 2.0T with a manual but now realizing that no one at GM can drive a manual so that is not in the cards. Not all of us car guys want a Camaro or Corvette, still have to haul the kids around.

    Reply
  6. What exactly is it about Chevrolet’s design team is it that keeps them employed and what is it about management that keeps them employed? The look like decades old Camry sedans. gm has no nice styling any more. I think they need a new CEO.

    Reply
    1. Dan
      GM’s vehicles look great. Most are flying out the door as fast as the dealerships get them in.
      Mary Barra is arguably the best CEO in the Automotive industry. Her only real competition is coming from the dancing monkey at Tesla.

      Reply
  7. Got to remember because they are so many poor renters a rental car with 20k is like my car with 150k

    Reply
  8. That said my 16 Mali 2.5L has never been in shop..138k miles

    Reply
    1. Bull Dozer…With all due respect, the 2016 Malibu’s base engine was the 1.5L Turbo. Optional were the 2.0L Turbo and the 1.8L(Hybrid only). Last year for the 2.5L was 2015.

      Reply
      1. Ok so it is a limited Malibu stull built in Fairfax Kansas USA

        Reply
      2. I think he got a 2016 last gen model with the 2.5L engine.

        Reply
  9. I would just like to say I hope GM fixes their electrical issues on their Impala and Malibu im not sure about their other cars but they need to worry about the electrical issues before they worried about exterior paint. Im just saying, I won’t buy another chevrolet…..mainly because they told me the recall was cut off already……but they would “CHECK IT” for me….for $165.00….( electrical issues with 3rd brake light and headlights)……

    Reply
    1. I currently have two vehicles built at Fairfax Assembly – a 16 LaCrosse and a 19 Malibu. Both have been flawless thus far. I am biased of course, but I think the designs of both of these cars remain fresh and beautiful – still very proud to own both. I am hoping to keep them for a very long time since I am a sedan guy (formerly a coupe guy until those mostly disappeared) so I am clinging on as long as I can since I just don’t like the look or feel of driving SUVs, and I am definitely not a Cadillac type of guy.

      Reply
  10. My 2021 Chevy Malibu (black cherry) gets more comments about the color than any new vehicles I’ve ever owned.

    Reply
  11. Put the 3.6L in this car and make a Hatch version like te Regal Sportback that uses this same platform and GM will have a actual good sedan

    Reply
  12. Steve, I agree with you, a “SPort Back” and a 3.6 would be awesome. I think the current Malibu is a sharp looking car, it has a great profile, much better than the previous generation. But the current engine choices are a concern. To bad they couldnt do a Wagon like Buick had wit TourX, you know kind of a modern Chevy Biscayne Wagon. I will never drive a car based CUV or SUV. I currently own a 2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon, a 2007 Pontiac Vibe, and a 2001 SIlverado, so for me it is wagons, hatchbacks, or trucks, however a nice large or midsize sedan would be nice to have as well. It is sad the state of the automotive industry right now, it used to be fun riding around and looking at all the different cars, and ther performace, now all you see is underpowered CUV.

    Reply
  13. When will the 2022 Malibu begin production for sale in the USA? Where are the built? My mom has ordered one but the dealership said that Chevy is not accepting orders for it yet. Any production timeline info appreciated.

    Reply
  14. Hi I agree with Jorge. I have a 2005 Malibu n love it. I am going to buy a new one soon. As back in the 1970’s they were beautiful then n still are. Also I am definitely not a fan of these big SUVs as I think they r ugly. Also I am also old fashion n I believe in seeing n touching things before I buy anything especially something like a car goes for even buying any kind of clothing or fashion online. I definitely know the world went to hell I am convinced.

    Reply
  15. Lofl…my 98 5.7 Suburban vs my new 2006 Equinox 2.2l which got better mileage, my Suburban did by 1mpg. So my daily driver stayed a car for the next 15 years. And I love my Malibu!

    Reply
  16. I love my 2021 malibu LT with sport appearance trim package. Offers very comfortable seating and most convenience options included, dual zone A/C, heated seats,
    power everything etc… Plenty of usable engine power (for me). Love the Black Cherry metallic paint and get compliments on it whenever I’m filling the gas tank. Siver and white camry’s and/or Honda’s are like arm pits, they’re everywhere!! Purchased my Malibu as a single owner (new models year) vehicle with 20k miles on it for 19,500.00 the value in buying one “pre-owned” can’t be beat, worth everything that’s included with the packages that were built with my vehicle. The upsized premium wheel option does sacrifice a little on ride quality but they look outstanding.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel