Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu is a sedan marketed by General Motors’ Chevrolet brand currently spanning nine generations and two distinct vehicles:

• The Chevelle Malibu – a trim level for the Chevrolet Chevelle lineup built from 1964 to 1977
• The Malibu – a standalone model built from 1978 onwards

Quick Facts

First Generation

1964 Chevrolet Malibu

The first-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced for the 1964 model year and served as a trim level of the first-gen Chevelle. Offered in four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, two-door convertible, and station wagon configurations, the range-topping model featured many upgrades over lesser trims, including patterned cloth and vinyl upholstery, deep-twist carpeting, and a deluxe steering wheel, among other items.

The performance-oriented Malibu SS package added bucket seats, a center console, engine gauges, an optional four-speed manual transmission, unique wheel covers, and was available with up to 300 horsepower.

1964 Chevrolet Malibu

In 1966, the Malibu SS was replaced by the Chevelle SS 396, which featured a Big Block engine, heavy duty suspension, and other performance-focused equipment. Other additions for the new model year included available bucket seats on regular Malibu Sport Coupe and convertible units, the Malibu four-door Sport Sedan hardtop, and subtle styling revisions.

For the final 1967 model, the Malibu Concours station wagon was introduced, and featured a simulated woodgrain exterior side panel trim. Meanwhile, front disc brakes were a new option, as well as a stereo eight-track tape player.

Powertrain options were aplenty, and included:

Transmission options included a two-speed automatic, three-speed manual, three-speed automatic, and four-speed manual transmission.

Production of the first-gen Malibu ended after the 1967 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Flint plant in Michigan (1966 only)
• GM Baltimore plant in Maryland
• GM Framingham plant in Massachusetts
• GM Fremont plant in California
• GM Kansas City plant in Missouri
• GM Lakewood Heights plant in Georgia
• GM Van Nuys plant in California
• GM Oshawa plant in Canada

Second Generation

The second-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced for the 1968 model year, and was once again available in two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and convertible configurations. Interestingly, two-door models had a wheelbase measured at 112-inches, while four-door and convertible units featured a 116-inch wheelbase.

The 1968 Malibu saw the introduction of the Concours luxury option for coupes and sedans, which included upgraded cloth or vinyl bench seats, carpeted lower door panels, woodgrain trim on dash and door panels, a center console and floor shifter and unique nameplates. Meanwhile, the range-toping Concours station wagon retained its simulated woodgrain trim, along with the same interior and exterior goodies as the other models.

For 1969, revised exterior lighting elements and instrument panels were added, along with federally-mandated front seat headrests.

1971 Chevrolet Malibu

The following model year, the Malibu stood as the only series of Chevelle on offer – aside from the SS 396 and SS 454 – due to the entry-level 300 and 300 Deluxe models being discontinued for the U.S. market. The taillights were once again revised, while the Sport Coupe featured a fresh roofline. Thankfully, by mid-year, the Malibu was rejoined by lower-level 1970 Chevelle examples.

The 1971 model saw the introduction of a new front grille that boasted single headlamps in lieu of the previous dual headlights, while four round taillights were found out back. Unfortunately, all engines were detuned to utilize lower-octane unleaded gasoline per GM policy.

Finally, the 1972 Malibu was highlighted solely by a new grille. Notably, this was the final model year for hardtop and convertible Chevelle units.

Powerplant options were bountiful and included:

Transmission options included a two-speed automatic, three-speed automatic, three-speed manual, and four-speed manual.

Production of the second-gen Malibu ended after the 1972 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Flint plant in Michigan (1970 only)
• GM Arlington plant in Texas (1970 – 1972)
• GM Baltimore plant in Maryland
• GM Framingham plant in Massachusetts
• GM Fremont plant in California
• GM Kansas City plant in Missouri
• GM Lakewood Heights plant in Georgia
• GM Van Nuys plant in California
• GM Oshawa plant in Canada

Third Generation

The third-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced for the 1973 model year and positioned as a mid-range model at launch. With the new generation, the entire Chevelle lineup feature 5-mph front bumper, double-panel roof, flush glass and door handles, flow-through power ventilation system, and a generally roomier cabin.

Notably, the chassis design was new for the third-gen Malibu, and featured revised chassis / body mounts, larger rear axle, wider six-inch wheel rim width, revised rear control arm bushings, increased front and rear suspension travel, adjusted shock absorber location, and revised front suspension geometry.

1975 Chevrolet Malibu

The 1974 model saw the introduction of federally-mandated rear bumpers, chrome grills made of die-cast steel, and the upscale Malibu Classic. Offered in sedan, coupe and station wagon configuration, the Malibu Classic boasted notchback bench seats, cloth or vinyl upholstery, carpeted door panels, and simulated woodgrain instrument panel trim, while swiveling bucket seats in cloth or vinyl were optional. Also notable for the 1974 model year was the discontinuation of the entry-level Deluxe trim, which made “regular” Malibu examples the new “base” model.

Over the rest of its lifespan, the Chevrolet Malibu received various updates and tweaks to its styling, most notably through fresh grilles and lighting elements.

Powerplant options were varied and included:

Transmission options included a three-speed automatic, three-speed manual, and four-speed manual.

Production of the third-gen Malibu ended after the 1977 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Arlington plant in Texas
• GM Baltimore plant in Maryland
• GM Doraville plant in Georgia
• GM Fremont plant in California
• GM Kansas City plant in Missouri
• GM Oshawa plant in Canada

Fourth Generation

With the axing of the Chevelle nameplate following the 1977 model year, the fourth-generation Chevrolet Malibu now stood as its own lineup for the 1978 model year and beyond. Riding on a more efficient platform that was drastically different than prior generations, the fourth-gen model was offered in just two trim levels, the Malibu and Malibu Classic. Furthermore, two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and five-door station wagon configurations were available. Notably, this was the final generation of Malibu coupe models, as the Chevrolet Monte Carlo filled that role following the 1981 model year.

For fans of the venerable Malibu SS performance model, General Motors elected to not offer a factory-equipped SS model. However, the fourth-gen Malibu was available in M80 form for customers in North and South Carolina, albeit this example was mostly a handling packaged and geared towards NASCAR fans.

1980 Chevrolet Malibu

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Malibu received a mid-cycle refresh for the 1982 model year that saw the introduction of a more squared-off front styling, along with quad headlights that featured long, thin turn signals.

Interestingly, there were a relatively small number of Malibu units exported to Iraq to mainly serve as taxi vehicles.

Powerplant options featured an available V6 engine for the first time, and together included:

Transmission options included a three-speed automatic, three-speed manual, and four-speed manual.

Production of the fourth-gen Malibu ended after the 1983 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Arlington plant in Texas
• GM Baltimore plant in Maryland
• GM Doraville plant in Georgia
• GM Fremont plant in California
• GM Leeds plant in Missouri
• GM Oshawa plant in Canada
• GM Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico

Fifth Generation

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced for the 1997 model year, and marked the return of the iconic nameplate after a nearly 15-year hiatus. Now, the Malibu was only offered as a four-door sedan and rode on a FWD platform for the first time. More specifically, the all-new Malibu was underpinned by an extended wheelbase variant of the GM N platform, which it shared with the Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am.

Serving as a replacement for the Chevrolet Corsica, the fifth-generation model features standard goodies like four-wheel ABS brakes, hydraulic engine mounts, and air conditioning.

2002 Chevrolet Malibu

It’s worth noting that the fifth-gen Malibu continued to be sold as the Chevrolet Classic from 2004 to 2005 following the introduction of the sixth-generation model in 2004.

Powerplant options were more condensed this generation and included:

A four-speed automatic stood as the only transmission available.

Production of the fifth-gen Malibu ended after the 2003 model year and took place at various facilities across North America, including:

• GM Wilmington plant in Delaware (1997 – 1999)
• GM Oklahoma City plant in Oklahoma (1997 – 2001)
• GM Lansing plant in Michigan (2001 – 2005)

Sixth Generation

2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx

The sixth-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced for the 2004 model year and rode on the regular-wheelbase variant of the GM Epsilon platform. Available in either four-door sedan or five-door station wagon configurations – the latter of which was branded as the Malibu Maxx – the sixth-gen Malibu saw the return of the vaulted SS model. Offered on 2006 and 2007 model year vehicles, the SS featured performance goodies like an upgraded powertrain, sport suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and hydraulic power steering. Aggressive bodywork and sport cloth and leather seats further differentiated the Malibu SS from other trim levels both inside and out.

2006 Chevrolet Malibu

It’s worth noting that the sixth-gen Malibu continued to be sold as the Malibu Classic in 2008 following the introduction of the seventh-generation model for the 2008 model year.

Powerplant options consisted of:

A four-speed automatic stood as the only transmission available.

Production of the sixth-gen Malibu ended after the 2007 model year and took place exclusively at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas.

Seventh Generation

2010 Chevrolet Malibu

The seventh-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced for the 2008 model year and moved to the long-wheelbase version of the GM Epsilon platform. Available solely in the four-door sedan configuration, the seventh-gen Malibu was poised to serve as a better competitor to Japanese rivals. Reception was overall very positive upon its debut, with a few critiques related to the hybrid’s lack of fuel savings or overly-thick C-pillars.

Some notable standard technologies found in every seventh-generation model include OnStar, six airbags, traction control, an electronic tire pressure monitoring system, four-wheel disc brakes, antilock brakes, and daytime running lamps.

It’s worth noting that the seventh-gen Malibu was embroiled in a series of recalls related to its four-speed transmission.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu

Powerplant options included:

Transmission options included a four-speed or six-speed automatic.

Production of the seventh-gen Malibu ended after the 2012 model year and took place at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas and GM Orion plant in Michigan.

Eighth Generation

2014 Chevrolet Malibu

The eighth-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced for the 2013 model year and became a global vehicle after it replaced the North American Malibu and GM Korea vehicles previously sold around the world. Based on the GM Epsilon II platform, the eighth-gen Malibu was sold in “nearly 100 countries on six continents”, and only available in the four-door sedan configuration.

Eighteen months after its unveiling, the eighth-gen Malibu received a mid-cycle refresh that addressed many complaints leveled against the new model, including the additional of more technology, improved fuel economy, and revised front-end styling. Minor changes were made to the interior as well.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu

It’s worth noting that the eighth-gen Malibu continued to be sold as the Malibu Limited in 2016 following the introduction of the ninth-generation model for the 2016 model year.

Powerplant options were aplenty this generation, and included:

Transmission options included a six-speed automatic, along with a six-speed manual for select overseas markets.

Production of the eighth-gen Malibu ended after the 2015 model year and took place at various facilities across the globe, including:

• GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant in Michigan
• GM Fairfax plant in Kansas
• GM Bupyeong plant in South Korea
• GM Jinqiao plant in China
• GM Tashkent plant in Uzbekistan
• GM Kaliningrad plant in Russia

Ninth Generation

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

The ninth-generation Chevrolet Malibu was introduced for the 2016 model year and offered exclusively in the four-door sedan configuration. Riding on the GM E2 platform, the styling of the ninth-gen Malibu is sleeker and similar to that of the tenth-generation Chevrolet Impala. The wheelbase was stretched nearly four inches in comparison to the preceding generation – which in turn created more interior space – while fuel efficiency was improved thanks in part to a weight reduction of roughly 300 pounds.

Notable technology goodies included an industry-first teen-driver feature, available OnStar 4G LTE in-vehicle connectivity, available wireless phone charging, optional automatic parking assist, and ten standard airbags.

For the 2019 model year, the Malibu was given a mid-cycle refresh that included a revised front grille, updated interior, and the additional of several safety features.

2024 Chevrolet Malibu

Powerplant options consisted mostly of turbocharged engines and included:

Transmission options included a six-speed automatic, eight-speed automatic, nine-speed automatic, and CVT.

Production of the ninth-gen Malibu is currently ongoing and takes place at various facilities across the globe, including:

• GM Fairfax plant in Kansas
• GM Bupyeong plant in South Korea
• GM Shanghai plant in China
• GM Tashkent plant in Uzbekistan
• GM Hajigabul plant in Azerbaijan

More Chevrolet Malibu Resources

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