The 2023 Chevy Malibu arrives as the eighth model year for the current ninth generation, debuting a handful of updates and changes compared to the 2022 model year. Now, the 2023 Chevy Malibu is available to spec via the official online configurator at Chevrolet’s website.
Perhaps the most important update introduced for the 2023 model year is a revised trim level lineup. As GM Authority exclusively covered early last month, the 2023 Chevy Malibu no longer offers the Premier trim level. Rather, the range-topping Premier trim has been repackaged as the 2LT trim, the latter of which loses a few features compared to the previous 2022 Chevy Malibu Premier, including Heated rear outboard seats (RPO code KA6), Bright sill plates (RPO code B7T), and Power Outside mirrors with integrated turn signals (RPO code DWK).
What’s more, the 2023 Chevy Malibu is no longer offered with the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG gasoline engine and GM 9-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0L I4 LTG and GM 9-speed were previously offered as the exclusive engine and transmission combination for the Premier trim level, but with the departure of the Premier, the 2.0L I4 LTG and GM 9-speed are also no longer available.
Instead, the 2023 Chevy Malibu is exclusively offered with the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LFV gasoline engine and MRG continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), an engine and transmission combination that was previously offered across the 2022 model-year trim level lineup, with the exception of the Premier.
For reference, maximum output from the turbocharged 1.5L I4 LFV gasoline engine is rated at 163 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm.
Other notable updates for the 2023 model year include new exterior paint options, with Radiant Red Tintcoat (paint code GNT), Riverside Blue Metallic (paint code GKK), and Sterling Gray Metallic (paint code GXD) all joining the list, and Cherry Red Tintcoat (paint code GSK), Northsky Blue Metallic (paint code GA0), and Silver Ice Metallic (paint code GAN) no longer offered.
As GM Authority recently covered, the 2023 Chevy Malibu also introduces a $1,300 price increase.
Under the skin, the Malibu ride son the GM E2 platform, with production taking place at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas City.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Malibu news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
US$ 8000 for just having another wheel… wow… but can not chose chromed frame around the windshield and in colour green, anyway took the pic and finished in photoshop better.
What????
He’s from Brazil (I think) and all his posts are hard to read.
I think what he’s saying is that the LT2 only comes with bigger wheels, which isn’t quite accurate, but…
no, what i say, is at configurator you have 4 equal trims, differing only the wheels, so, strange way of thinking from GM, then after this Trim you go in colour, and of course chose between US$ 25 300 to US$ 32 000 so the difference… yes, true was born in S. Paulo, lived there for 25 years, worked for GMB and since 20 years we live in Europe, if is hard for you to read, please next time, just not read, my suggestion. BTW, did 15 different pics, with 2 greens, 2 tourqouise and purple in photoshop, put more details and became much better and posted at my facebook groups
One Thumb Up.
I honestly liked the Malibu a few years ago. Now looking it over, I hope they kill it off after this model year.
It’s kind of pathetic to see them still peddling this thing so far after its sell-by date.
I almost sort of feel sorry for it.
Nate: Have you driven one in the last few years? Any wheel time in one? The Malibu is very competitive. I own one and find it to be very quiet, rides very well while having competent handling, has great room and storage, is nicely equipped with everything needed and nothing not needed, gets amazing fuel economy and was priced competitively. Although styling is subjective, I also find my car (in the red) to be quite attractive.
Weather I order a 2023 Malibu or end up going with a Bolt, it wouldn’t be due to the the Malibu lacking. Instead it would be because I wish to go EV in my next car.
Yes, I know you own a Malibu and you love it. You post that all the time.
Like I said, it was great a few years ago, but it’s just not competitive anymore. Chevrolet knows this as well and is obviously simplifying it for its eventual death.
To answer your question, yes, I’ve driven one. My mother in law just bought a 2022 LT to replace her 2017 Cruze.
You’re right Nate.
If someone insists on owning an American sedan and/or GM product they’d probably think it’s fine. However the reality is it’s the lowest rated midsize sedan in the segment by just about any source you’d care to name. And as a former owner I agree with the low ratings. We owned one and dumped it last year with only 24k on the odo. It was a mediocre product at best.
gm has put almost no investment into this generation product since it’s launch so it’s obviously a dead-end product. If they don’t care about it…why should buyers?
Nate and JL: Yes, I do own one and yes I do like it. But if you read my comments (which you obviously do), you will also note that I am not a GM apologist. Not by any means. In fact, I love Cadillac’s more than any brand out there, yet I’ve been very critical of them and some of the products they have (I’m looking at you XT4). I’ve also owned numerous import brands from new (2 Kia’s, 1 VW and 1 Volvo) as well as many used import brands (1 Toyota, 2 Jags and 3 MB) as well as 1 import Cadillac (Catera) back in 1998. I’ve also sold new Honda’s for 12 years, sold many used import brands and have now been at a Mazda/Volvo store for about 7 years. I have experience with all the Mazda cars (Mazda 6 and 3) and the Volvo cars. My last 3 cars were a 2020 Cadillac CT4, 2021 Volvo S60 T8 Inscription and now this 2021 Malibu. I can put my money where my mouth is and can speak from tons of experience.
This 2021 Malibu is as good or better than anything I’ve owned. Ever. It excels in a few places and is competitive in nearly all other areas. So I find it easy for some to come on here and talk without backing that talk. Nate, you say your mother just got a 2022. Why do you feel it’s not good? What’s bad about it? Why is it not competitive? Compared to what?
JL: You claim he’s correct and then tell us how the Malibu is rated so poorly. By whom? And I think I countered your comment about if someone insists on owning an American brand. That’s quite the snobbish thing to say for sure and sound like you may have something else bothering you.
No more LTZ or Premier, sad.
Where’s the new half ton Silverado with the upgraded baby Duramax and Max Tow package?? Let me guess, no chips, no steel, no tires, what now?? GM is spending too much time and money on their ill-conceived transition to all EV and neglecting their ICE products, not a good strategy, in my humble opinion.
Whine much about irrelevant things in threads that have nothing to do with your complaints?
Fact is they can either move them off their lot and retro fit them, or just let them sit which is worse for everyone. The company doesn’t get the inventory moved or the sale, the owners is waiting on a vehicle and either has to continue to drive their old one or rent which is hard to come by. That is the best way to do it and it shows on the books, especially compared to the others who are struggling to move vehicles and have them locked up in massive lots.
So maybe stop whining and be appreciative the products are out there and that is even an option. So you have to deal with out a heated seat for a bit, boo hoo….
None on the lots herr
Losing the 2.0 T Premier model kind of makes this model irrelevant and more of a rental vehicle at this point as GM totally loses interest. Why did they bother to change the blue? The previous hue was vastly better to this weird purple blue that the Camaro shares. Why does the cheaper lower tier RS have dual exhaust and a leather wheel/shifter but the pricier LT have neither? Even the $32595 2LT lacks dual exhaust that most every competitor has on the top trim level. The packaging and large price increases on this car are ridiculous!
Yeah, I hate that goofy new color I sure hope they don’t try that on the full sized trucks!
Nice Malibu
Great Car
I bought a 2016 LT 2.0 turbo it currently has 84,000 painless miles, it had an edge on competitors for a couple of years. By 2019 it should have been refreshed substantially, regrettably by then GM had decided to abandon cars, beginning with the Cruze and Impala. Without upgrades it is dying a slow death like the Camaro, sad because both were competitive in 2016, but in need of improvements. It’s still a good car, better than it gets credit for. If it had a better standard drivetrain and a few upgrades it would be fine. Neglected and under appreciated, but for the money the RS Malibu is a good value.
BB: I’m honestly not being argumentative, but am truly interested in hearing your thoughts. When you say the Malibu needs improvements or upgrades (besides the engine/trans for now), what are you referring to? I ask this because I’m around new cars all day long. I also ride in a lot of late model cars from all brands. I’m just not seeing what you and a few others are referring to on this. My Malibu has as good or better technology than anything from Mazda and is close to the Volvo’s. And those two brands, warranted or not, garner a lot of positive press.
I understand if you may prefer a bigger engine and conventional transmission, even though I feel the 1.5 with CVT in my Malibu is absolutely adequate and competitive with any brands out there. But if GM wishes to continue to sell the massive numbers of trucks and SUV’s, they must also sell vehicles with better MPG’s. But that’s true of all brands out there who well full lines.
When’s the funeral?
I am having a hard time grasping what all the (supposed) improvements/changes are being made… Not only w/ GM but others as well. Have owned a number of old…… and older Malibu’s over the years. The gas mileage isn’t much different than the lawnmower engines GM is opting for now? In fact, my Buick Verano w/ the 2.5L has great torque and take off power and the mileage is the same or better. A few years back I owned a Chevy 1500 full size van w/ the 4.3L x 6. I opted for a 3.73 posi rear and a performance pack they offered at the time. It averaged 20 mpg and 23 hwy. And, it was a heavy pig! We just drove our 3.6L Colorado home from N. AZ and averaged 34 MPG and it weights 4550 lb. I look at what I am offered in engine size, at the price, performance, mileage, and long term reliability…… Well folks, I am disappointed. My ’69 Buick 225 w/ 430 4Brl. gets 16 mpg and it has never been repaired in 52 years. It’s as heavy as they come, but with real steel, comfort, and suspension that flattens any road. Not to mention it seats six in comfort plus immense cargo capacity. I don’t think anyone is going to want what offered today in 52 years from now. I am keeping my T-Bird people….. No trouble getting parts, easy to repair, NO CPU’s etc. and the insurance is only $400 yr. and tags $10 yr. And, it will be worth far more than I paid for it…… 1500 Turbo? I wonder how much $$$ GM and others save over a real 4 cyl. at 2500cc? Hummm…