For decades, Chevy was a major player in the sedan segment in the U.S. market, offering everything from practical compacts, to full-size flagships. However, over the last several years, The General has steadily moved away from the sedan body style, recently discontinuing the Chevy Malibu and leaving the Cadillac CT4 and Cadillac CT5 as the last remaining GM-made internal combustion engine (ICE) four-door models in the U.S. Despite this shift, customer preferences can change over time, and if Chevy were to bring back a sedan, we want to know – what should it be?
Cruze
The first place to start should be the dimensions. Which size would make the most sense if Chevy returned to the sedan segment in the U.S.? Some might prefer a compact sedan, similar to the Chevy Cruze, Volt, or Cobalt, which would compete against vehicles like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Kia Forte, and Volkswagen Jetta. A compact sedan could make a strong case for itself on several fronts, and the segment continues to sell in relatively strong numbers for other automakers thanks to a combination of efficiency, affordability, and ease of use.
Malibu
Others might prefer a midsize sedan, similar to the recently discontinued Malibu, which would face competition from the Toyota Camry, Toyota Crown, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, and Kia K5. While midsize sedans have declined in popularity, they still hold a significant market share. Indeed, Chevy maintained the Malibu for no less than nine generations, and an updated, modern take on the body style could spark new interest.
Impala
Then we have the full-size segment, as was previously offered under the Chevy Impala nameplate. As it stands, an ICE-powered full-size sedan would be a unique offering in today’s market, as most automakers have abandoned the segment outright, leaving no direct competition from mainstream brands. While the demand for large sedans has diminished, an Impala revival could find success as a premium alternative for those who still seek spacious, comfortable, and performance-oriented four-door models.
With all these options in mind, we want to hear from you – if Chevy were to reintroduce a sedan, what size should it be? Let us know by casting your vote below!
Comments
Cruze could cause a sales conflict with Trax. Impala is unlikely to have many people to buy. I think reviving Malibu is the best option.
Malibu. No contest.
Give the Malibu a naturally aspirated engine and a 8-speed automatic. No CVT or turbo.
A 5.3 Malibu would scoot!
Impala with the v6 engine is the best vehicle they have.
too recent . resurrect the Nova
Make it with awd and we’re in business i like my 15 malibu but I am also good with impala with awd as I’m a big guy 6’2 350.
well, compact sedan beautiful with lot of chromes, green, alloy metal wheels, white ribbon band on tyres, white leather interior, shinning instrument panel, without electronics, automatic, stationary 3 cylinders ethanol flexi gasoline engine with each of4 wheels an electric motor.
You’re joking right? You forgot to say two-tone and vinyl top.
Nate,
Don’t forget the spinner hubcaps, shag carpeting, and fake fur dash cover.
V6 Impala/Lacrosse and take my money.
“But they won’t sell!”? That was before the CUVs were 3-4cyl only, with price and mileage now comparable to a 1500 pickup. Put a solid sedan back out there with 30+mpg and they’ll sell.
Impala
Why not take a page from the past and offer something different a rear drive Malibu. Share as many mechanicals as possible with a Gen 7 Camaro and you can build them in one plant. Offer AWD as optional.
As far as platforms go, the traverse and Malibu share “similar” platforms with the traverse featureing a subframe welded to the unibody. IDK about RWD, but it would be reasonably cheap to make an AWD sport Malibu trim named “Chevelle” Be hard and expensive to develop a whole new RWD platform to underpin a single sedan. They would also need it to underpin 3-4 other models for it to make sense. While the traverse would be nice in RWD/AWD, I’m afraid ford doomed that with the construction costs of the current Explorer.
GM makes a V6 rwd/awd sedan. It’s called the Cadillac CT5. Stop complaining and go buy one.
It is a mid tier car with a premium-ish badge that isn’t competitive with the segment it wants to be considered in. The ct5v was nerfed and doesn’t even compete with the CTS V sport before it.
Ehhh, the caddy blows away BMW, Audi and is a bigger bang for buck then Mercedes, then again, my impression of BWM has been an overpriced Dodge product, Audi a Hyundai with a half decent motor and Mercedes a better built Lincoln at 3X the price. Really none of these stand out to me except Cadillac, and they’re over priced.
Hmm…Cadillac is a “mid tier”, “premium-ish”?
So the competitor’s nameplates that sells taxi cabs, commuter vehicles in the rest of the markets, government fleets, plumber’s vans, police vehicles, garbage trucks, and military vehicles are in what “tier” and in what “ish” category?
Tommie, not everyone can afford a Caddy, I would love a CT5, but it won’t fit in my budget.
What makes you think a single-platform resurrected Impala/Malibu performance sedan is going to cost? CT5 V is very affordable for the performance compared to the competition.
I have driven both a CT5 and a CT4 when I have taken my CT6 in for routine maintenance. The CT4 shouldn’t even have a back seat since it is only made for small children out of car seats. The CT5 is just too small for 4 average sized adults to go too far in. America needs a full-sized sedan again. Sure everyone is going to say buy a CUV/SUV, but not every driver wants those POS. That’s why Mercedes, Genesis and Toyota still make and SELL full-sized sedans.
Your right on about the full size, but where I would differ is the reason. Mercedes and Lexus offer them is in their Home market, the American SUV isn’t allowed or fits anywhere. This they are limited to this kind of vehicle, so they sell a lot at home and can afford to sell 1-200 units stateside. That’s said, my old Package land barge sedan is wider and longer than my daily driver Traverse. If your going to make a sedan, it needs to be a proper size. CUV’s are popular because a Corolla can’t fit your 2 kids, their school bags and grocery run. It’s either/or. A Trax can fit your 2 kids, groceries, dog and a friend. A bigger sedan is definitely needed.
Something in the Chevy Sonic or Cruze size, will a hybrid system.
Malibu. Our daughter loved hers. But, let’s talk Buick. They can build a Envision in China and send it to the U.S. but they also build a LaCrosse, in China, but won’t send that to the U.S.
We have a 2017 LaCrosse and love it.
I loved the Impala. I drove a 2009 model and the ride was so smooth that my niece, who drives an Infinity, fell asleep while I was driving. She commented favorable after waking up!
What sold best in the past? Easy. A-Body; coupes, sedans and convertibles. Small block V8s for the performance versions and V6s for the rest. Rear wheel drive. Stop letting government and eco maniacs tell you what to build and stop letting the UAW pick your pocket.
Greg,
Wow those $16 per hr. new hire UAW production workers at GM I really picking your pockets clean.
In the northern states you can barely get a rear wheel drive out of your driveway when it snows.
Greg, you do know that it snows in some places in the United States don’t you.
There is a lot more to pay than take home wages – benefits aren’t free. The average UAW worker made $65 per hour in wages and benefits before the strike. By the end of the new contract that will be $75 per hour.
Jason,
I heard those inflated figures all my life.
No one ever gives a breakdown how they get to that figure. You give me an exact breakdown and maybe I’ll believe you. What do they do, include your pension if you live to be 120 yrs. old. When I was making $9 an hr. at General Motors years ago the newspapers used to print that with wages and benefits auto workers were making $95 an hour. Again, no one would ever show us a breakdown of how they got those figures. That was in the’ 70s
These new hires are now receiving reduced pay and benefits. I’m not even sure if they receive a defined benefit pension plan. If it is a 401K plan the company saves a ton of money on that. The first 10 years or better that most people start a job they usually don’t put away any money, that means the company doesn’t contribute to your 401k plan either. Union labor is a rather small percentage of the total cost of a vehicle, look it up. Most GM plants have aprox. one salaried employee for every two union employee. Salary employees get paid more, and have better benefits than the union employees. Half of them walk around all day doing absolutely nothing.
I was a GM – UAW employee for 40 years.
Don’t believe everything you hear. People love to bash the unions.
I do agree new vehicles are expensive. The people building them are probably one of the only things you’re getting your money’s worth out of.
Being on this website there is probably a good chance that you buy GM products. If that is so, I thank you for that. John Z.
Jason,
The benefits at Gm aren’t all that great.
$17 an hr. a man with a wife and two children are about $4,000 above the poverty level of $30,000. Looking at it that way it’s kind of sad.
What good are benefits if they’re not paying you a living wage.
I don’t know how many Fortune 500 manufacturing companies pay there employees such a low hourly wage. It can’t be that many.
When I worked for GM in Rochester New York, I had family and friends that worked for Eastman Kodak, IBM, and Xerox. Their pay, benefits, and retirement was all better than mine. Eastman Kodak, and IBM, were non-union companies. Xerox had some Union employees.
How to lie 101 by Donald Trump
In in chapter 24, when making up numbers, go big to add controversy and gives your audience a more gasping effect.
Next time you make up numbers, try that the UAW workers are getting paid at $400-$600 per hour and that’s the reason everything goes wrong over at GM. The folks that are jealous that UAW are getting paid more than them will be the first to get riled up, the rest will believe and then follow.
Ken Kaniff,
This is the most lucid explanation I’ve heard.
It has always puzzled me how people could believe, and follow these carnival barkers.
We love our V6 XTS and Impala, which do not look or perform at all dated.
The Malibu has been good for us for many years: right size and easy to get in and out of; onstar; moderate price; comfortable; good warranty and repair record for us. Good gas mileage.
Impala V6. Hands down. I had a ’68, 2003, 2014 & 2019 all V6 and loved them. Fantastic car. I’d still have the 2019 but the Blazer came back with the V6 in the RS & I wanted to see what driving an SUV would be like. Can’t complain on this end. Plan on keeping it ’til 2029 or longer. Love the Chevy engines.
Pretty sure 68 Impala did not come with a V6
Bring back the SS or impala SS
Hell yeah !!!! A RWD with the 6.2 big block V8 and a Caprice highly chromed twin, no doubt it will sell enough.
Malibu. I own a Cruze and it’s a good car, but it’s too small when you have more than one or two people in a car! (Especially when the grandchildren who were small when the Cruze was brand-new are almost as big as you are)
Chevrolet Impala and a Buick Lacross Made in the USA non EV
Non-EV and with a real drivetrain. Don’t give them a 1.2 and CVT, and blame the sales crickets on nobody wanting cars.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a Chevelle RWD/AWD sedan as a Charger competitor. But with the kind of management at gm, a new updated Malibu sedan should be reintroduced.
bring back the Nova You’re not paying for the Chevelle name
The Malibu, with maybe an AWD V6-Turbo SS option to go along with the non-turbo and hybrid versions.
Bring back the Malibu. It is a great car.
Whatever it is, it needs to be RWD and powered by a V8.
It’ll never happen but my preference would be the Chevrolet SS in partnership with Holden..sadly..save for the Corvette..by by V8🫤
I had an 04 Cavalier sedan, an 09 Cobalt sedan, and currently drive an 18 Cruze hatchback. I don’t have any complaints about the compact size, because I mostly drive to/ from work and locally, where I live. But if I were to choose a segment, I’d say the Malibu, hands down. Make it two ways- a 2 door RWD, and a 4 door FWD with either flex fuel or straight gas. No hybrid nonsense. The kicker? Make it look like the 70 Chevelle! That’ll be sure to turn some heads!
malibu was great but bring out small crossover like toyota cross
They have the new trax… how many crossovers do they need lol
And the Buick Envista.
The Chevy Sonic would be just the right fit with the 1.4 Liter Turbo. The current Cruze, though not on sale in the US, will need to go above the 1.4 Liter with the 2.0 or 2.7 Liter if wants to be competitive in the US again. Though I stopped driving cars in 2007 and switched over to trucks, I just wanted to weigh in my opinion.
Internal combustion engine main power plant with all will drive capability. Corvette E-Ray type drivetrain. Also make a variant as a generator electric vehicle (GEV) engine connected to generator driving electric motors. High fuel economy, acceleration rates and smiles for miles. It will sell….
My first car was a 1957 Belair 2 dr hardtop. Probably one of the most iconic products GM ever made, and certainly one of the most recognizable cars of any brand. It must be a V8, maybe just north of 400hp, luxury car available in 2 dr with impeccable styling inside and out, with hints of the original 57′ design. Standard interior would be wood grain with beige, gray, silver carpet with matching dash and door trim, black carpet would be special order (I hate black carpet). OH NEVER MIND…….they would screw it up.
Needs to compete against camry and accord dimensionally and quality. Malibu or maybe corvair might have higher appeal vs impala. 4 cylinder hybrid and caddy v6.
Strategically, an IMPALA would be best. Offer an entry level car (as the 2006 version) with a good standard equipment level) and then a luxury upgrade, Like an 2LT was in that same time frame. Use the pickup truck 2.7L TurboMax engine with an 8-spd automatic for power and economy. DO NOT overpower in the “tech” end of things! Maybe even an “SS” version with chassis and engine upgrades, in the middle of things. THEN over-enigneer the powertrain and such for 300K Mile durability, which can give the car credibility with the law enforcement operatives, too. Put THESE cars in the car rental fleets, too, to provide good used cars for more budget-constrained consumers. Get the Chevy Name back on the roads of this country as a RELIABLE and AFFORDABLE option to what Ford does not sell and more expensive foreign brands!!! LET THIS CAR replace the Dodge Chargers of the time, too!
GM has proven that it does not desire to produce a Honda or Toyota competitor, that can beat those cars in magazine comparison tests. That does NOT mean the Malibu was a bad car at all!!! Just that the others were better in many areas. That it was a rental car darling is NOT a bad thing, either. As the car rental companies need cars that are easy and cheap to maintain, in their fleets, with available service “anywhere”, if needed. But because it can’t beat or get close to a Honda in the magazine tests, the public considers it “lacking” in manhy areas. Ot at least in the areas the magazines consider to be important. BTAIM
The other problem with Malibus is that they were not priced enough below Impalas, in prior times. So the Impala stole sales from the Malibus, in the 2000s. Another mid-managed vehicle by GM, to me.!! EVEN I COULD HAVE DONE BETTER TO MAXIMIZE MALIBU SALES!!!!
An EV version of the Cadillac Seville that incorporates a retro body style of the ‘79 Seville d’Elegance.
How about a Monte Carlo./
or the Nova
Gm gave away the market an option at a time. To really compete they need a full line up. So that it’s worth the time to check out the brand when car shopping. I hate the feeling of going “well it looks like a midsize or a Honda/Toyota.
A modern-day version of the Corvair.
It was roomy, no drive shaft hump, sporty, and fun to drive. The Corvair had a standard transmission, rear air cooled engine, and came in a convertible model.
The original Corvair had some suspension and handling flaws. One of the biggest problems was most first-timers didn’t know how to drive a rear engine car. Then Ralph Nader killed it.
Nader thought all cars were dangerous. He hated Detroit, and especially General Motors.
After he made a name for himself testifying in front of Congress and then selling his book, the Corvair just withered on the vine.
The article stated, what sedan would you like to reintroduce. It would be interesting, to say the least, to see what the design Engineers would come up with.
Keep it economical, sporty, roomy, and fun to drive. That’s how it was, back in its day.
Much prefer Spark to Corvair.
Where’s the poll option for all of the above.
Currently have a V6 LaCrosse which does its job nearly perfectly, and I’d buy another one today if GM still made them in the US.
Yes today’s CUVs are “practical”, but have too many compromises with less power, less mileage, lower reliability, and higher price for rows of seats that’ll never get used. GM needs a sedan again in something besides Cadillac.
The Chevy cavalier was a favorite of mine!!
we don’t need another crossover with a CVT
HOLDEN.
I would buy another Volt in a heartbeat. Have a 2018. Best car I’ve ever owned. Fun to drive, comfortable. Just great all around.
I would love to see a Caprice trim level of the Impala.
They should bring back the Malibu with the Voltec drivetrain with an e-awd option. And to spread the cost around, make versions of that system available on the CUV’s they are currently selling.
Since I have a twenty mile commute at freeway speeds the best I have been able to achieve in my Volt is 93 mpg. But I wouldn’t mind something a little bigger and with awd for driving over the passes in the winter.
Everyone is saying the Malibu, the Impala, the Caprice, and the Cruze, but we’re forgetting the obvious choice.
Not only the finest chariot that GM made, but the pinnacle of sedans. A shining star that burned so bright we only had it for a limited time. I give you…
The Chevrolet Epica!
Who else can boast a transverse straight six? 0-60 in yes. Straight from the shores of Korea. It’s a car that’s not purchased, but carefully handed down from your great aunt to your teenage son like an heirloom.
BadgeEngFTW, I do not like your vehicle choice, but I do like your dog.
Don’t let him out, if he gets over to the North Korean side, they’ll have him for dinner.
I think they should bring back the Caprice nameplate
As a real Caprice with V8, RWD/AWD, full frame, and a real police pursuit package option. Keep it around for decades if they need to, like the Express van or what Ford did with the Crown Vic.
Anything but a “Caprice” tag on a yet another 3cyl CUV.
Develop a platform that can be both a compact and midsize. Use the 3-cyl turbo as the compact base engine and the 1.5 Turbo 4 as the optional mill. That engine would also be the base of the midsize and with the 2.0 Turbo 4 as the upgrade (perhaps with a hybrid system.)
Own a 2016 Impala LT with the V6. Love the ride, power, and room. Bring it back!
They need to take ALL their existing vehicle and do electric conversions to them.
We want an electric Silverado. Not that avalanche thing they are building now. They could have produced a cheaper Hummer and never built that electric truck thing they currently have. An Electric Express would be the ultimate. Instead they will just end the platform. Never mind they year after flat don’t build enough of them as is.
if you want all models electric go buy a Tesla .
A chevelle would be fantastic!!
I see a full-size Chevy competing with a Lacrosse. They can’t do both. I have a 2017 Lacrosse and like all of it, electronic shifter, storage space under shifter. Put the bright light symbol in the heads-up display. Lower trunk back so a water heater could be put in (still sticking out), I put one in a Spark. Install a front and back USB port to support a camera without wires. The Lacrosse competes with the CT5 withought screaming money. The Lacrosse is already in China. Make a Chevy version of a Lacrosse, but I am not sure what to leave off.
What ever GM does it will have to be a bit of badge engineering just to have enough sales to justify the engineering of the vehicle. It should be called the Chevrolet and the trim levels should be the best names from the past.
badge engineering is always a sure road to failure . redesign the car launch it in limited numbers and watch him fly away like hotcakes.
Make it an EV, who cares what size or how many doors. Across all car lines. LOL.
Chevy caprice
AWD Impala
Midsize Fisher- Body On Frame V8
I agree with the caddy platforms, but offer it with a more modest cloth interior, minus the premium sound and luxury trim. I suggest a Chevelle badge, give a making trim, offer a coupe, convertible, sedan, wagon, ute (El Camino)… You know what they should have done when Dodge did the magnum, charger, and Challenger. GM could have rocked the segment. Maybe beat out the maverick in a small truck market. But here we sit with less than desirable crossover and suv models and over priced trucks.
My vote is for all three. Then make each sized car in both PHEV (like the Volt but with a bigger ICE engine) and EV. Then give them all real Chevy names.
Corsica 5 door hatch, with a standard hybrid to compete with corolla/Camry. And since there are no sedans to carry on a “family resemblance”, and not enough heritage in the name to consider, it can be 100%, from scratch, new.
Bring back the Caprice!
My 2010 v6 LaCrosse is still my daily driver. That car was way ahead of the curve and I’m thankful I held on to it. There’s a whole market of buyers out there that don’t want 2 suvs sitting in their driveway. They’re collectively awful on gas. I have a sedan to get me around thats rather economical and a truck for when I need more versatility. If you’re a work from home professional, 2 vehicles will rarely be in use at same time.
The reality is that half of the people driving Tahoes, Suburbans and Silverados are forced into these vehicle vehicles because the sedans in which they were comfortable have been eliminated and they don’t want to, or can’t spend the money on a BMW or Mercedes sedan. Americans are big people, they need big vehicles. The only time my Silverado is used as a pick up is when my neighbor borrows it. I would love to be able to buy a new Impala or CT6.
Entry level. Bring in the young, buyer that wants the most car for their money and simply can’t afford anything else. Build it RIGHT with good quality and convince them to be brand loyal. That’s how Honda did it and now those middle-agers that owned cheap civics 20-30 years ago now will not consider anything other than Honda/Acura.
Belair RWD sport sedan, 8/6 options, manual shift also available, not quite “no frills”, but not luxurious either, starting price under $35K.
why bother with the 6 ? The L3B is proving very reliable and very durable there’s already quite a few of them out there with well over 150k . 310/430 is no joke which I can personally confirm since I have a Colorado with that engine .
Midsize like the Malibu.
Impala-sized (except wider) and branded Trax-alike body shape. Aim for mid $30k’s, blow away Toyota Crown sales.
Impala with the 2.7 L3B with all-wheel drive . Impala SS with a small block V8 RWD . I’d buy that for a dollar . It also has to be reliable .
Make a new two-door Nova . L3B AWD V8 option .
Malibu started as a Chevelle. Perhaps start there and option away! An SS for the performance crowd, a Malibu for the mid-level, and the base Chevelle for fleet and budget sales.
A Checker Marathon in school bus yellow.
You could fit a whole baseball team in there, and three or four Jimmy Hoffa’s in the trunk.
Perfect for your Uber side hustle.
A mid size Malibu with a slightly larger trunk would be great. An improved 175-180 HP 1.5T as the base engine with 8 speed auto and available AWD with higher trim lever Premier/RS with 2.0T or hybrid.
Something with modern capability and high quality where it counts. Take one of those larger body on frame designs and miniaturize it to sub-midsize car proportions. Hybridize the crap out of a twin turbo V6 and make it bullet proof. Call it the BelAir2.
Impala is the best but to make it sell in todays market make it a cool looking station wagon type. The Dodge Magnum was awesome looking but it was a rear wheel Dodge. A sporty Impala wagon front wheel drive 6 cylinder would sell.
Mid-size, about same as 68-72 Chevelle/Malibu, with 2-dr coupe & 4-door sedan & convertible versions. RWD with AWD options, no sub-2L mini motors, with 3 engine options from small 6 cyl through high performance sport V-8s. Ditch most of the over-abundant SUVS & build real CARS! GM would have done well to have killed Buick & GMC and retained Oldsmobile & Pontiac. Cadillac should go back to being the premier luxury line of GM Cars, NOT SUVs, and let Chev be the the primary source for performance/sporty cars. Exterminate the SUV infestation! Revive real cars with real option lists so customers can tailor their cars to their specific tastes and requirements without being forced to take option packages that include lots of junk they don’t want and don’t need. Let’s get back to the good ol’ days.
.
A midsized sedan, but with European dimensions BMW 3 series or Japanese dimensions Toyota Camary. Take the most reliable turbo 4 cylinder engine, 4 wheel disc brakes, minimize the use of electronic screens and displays, equip only the DOT/Federal highway safety commission options. The goal of this vehicle should be to provide an attractive alternative to Toyota at a price point that undercuts them,. While still offering the customer the amenities needed to remain current. The old BMW approach of building machine should be the primary focus, not an overpowered muscle car, but a compliant well mannered road partner. A vehicle that has excellent fuel economy, and enough power to merge interstate traffic at 70 mph with the air conditioner on and not lose power. I said a turbo 4 cylinder, but this might be the perfect place to integrate the General Motors F-1 1.6L V6 engine into the marketplace.
Impala, Caprice or Malibu no other sedan is worth bringing back only those three
I think Chevrolet should develop a “tweener” a mid-size sedan that a bit lager than the typical mid-size sedans, but not quite as large as an Impala full-size sedan. It could compete in both markets and offer more for the money than a typical mid-size sedan, like a Camry. The interior should be well appointed, and the standard features list should be extensive. It could be called Impala, Caprice or Monte Carlo or it could have a new name, but not Malibu.
Corsica
Bring back the Monte SS!
The Chevelle or nova and do not make them electric stop ruining ur creations
Big Body Impalas
Malibu all the way!!