2018 Chevrolet Malibu

The volume L/LS/LT trims use the 1.5L LFV turbo four with a 6-speed automatic in 2018. The CVT did not replace it until the 2019 refresh. The 250-hp 2.0T is limited to the Premier trim.

This is the peak torque of the volume 1.5T. The turbo delivers it low in the rev range, which keeps the car adequate around town despite modest horsepower.

An instrumented run of the 2018 1.5T with the 6-speed took 8.5 seconds to 60 mph, which is slow for a mid-size sedan. The Premier 2.0T is quick but sells in low volume.

The 1.5T is quiet and responsive at low speed but feels strained when passing on the highway and has mild turbo lag. Stop/start is fairly smooth. The 2.0T and the Hybrid, whose engine starts and stops seamlessly, are both more refined, but neither is the volume powertrain.

The 1.5T's conventional 6-speed automatic shifts smoothly and avoids CVT drone, but it is slow to kick down and has no paddles. The Premier's 9-speed is smooth and well calibrated.

Every 2018 Malibu, including the Hybrid, is front-wheel drive, and this generation never offered AWD. The 2018 Ford Fusion offered AWD.

There are three distinct powertrains: the 1.5T, the 2.0T on Premier, and a 1.8L full hybrid (182 hp, 46 MPG combined). That makes the 2018 lineup broader than the gas-only 2020+ cars, but the 2.0T is restricted to the top trim and there is no plug-in.

The volume gas 1.5T is rated at 30 MPG combined, mid-pack for gas mid-size sedans. The separately rated Hybrid reaches 46 MPG but is not the volume configuration.

The 1.5T is rated at 27 MPG city with standard stop/start, which is typical for a gas mid-size sedan.

The 1.5T's 36 MPG highway rating is decent for a gas mid-size sedan.

A 15.8-gallon tank at the 30 MPG combined rating gives about 474 miles, which is adequate but short of 500 miles.

The EPA estimates $2,250 a year to fuel the volume 1.5T, which is $750 less over five years than the average new vehicle. The Premier 2.0T costs about $900 a year more.

The volume 1.5T and the Hybrid both run on regular 87-octane. The Premier's 2.0T is listed on premium, so requirements are mixed across trims.

NHTSA gives the 2018 Malibu a 5-star overall rating, with 5 stars frontal (driver 5, passenger 4), 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover. That puts it level with the 2018 Camry and Accord on the federal test.

It earned a 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick, but only with optional front crash prevention, and passenger-side small overlap is Marginal. The updated side test, applied retroactively to the 2016–25 car, is Poor. The award and the mostly Good structural results lift it into the middle band; the Marginal and Poor results keep it out of the top.

On the 2018 volume LT, the only standard driver aids are a rear camera and Teen Driver. AEB, forward collision alert, lane keep, blind-spot and cross-traffic alerts all come in optional Driver Confidence packages, and adaptive cruise is Premier-only. The 2018 Camry already made Toyota Safety Sense standard.

When fitted, the systems perform well: IIHS rates Driver Confidence Package II (full-speed Forward Automatic Braking) Superior and the base Driver Confidence package (low-speed AEB only) Advanced. Both are optional, though, and IIHS never rated pedestrian AEB for this year, so most 2018 Malibus have no AEB at all.

Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are alert-only, and they are optional extras on LT and Premier rather than standard. There is no active intervention or safe-exit warning, which matters more given the thick rear pillars.

Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning comes only as an option on upper trims. It nudges the car back from the line rather than centering it, and no lane centering is offered at any price.

Adaptive cruise is available only on the top Premier, in Driver Confidence Package II, the same package that brings full-speed Forward Automatic Braking. The volume LS/LT trims can't get it, and there is no highway-assist mode.

No hands-free highway system is offered; Super Cruise was never available on the Malibu.

IIHS rates both headlight variants Poor, with and without high-beam assist. Visibility on curves was inadequate in all four tests, and no configuration reaches Acceptable.

The ninth-generation fastback roofline brings thick rear pillars and a shallow rear window, and the A-pillars and deep dash restrict the forward view. A rear camera is standard, but rear park assist is optional and no surround-view camera is offered.

IIHS rates LATCH ease of use Marginal: two full LATCH positions plus a tether-only center seat, with the lower anchors too deep in the seat. Roomy rear legroom and wide rear doors help once the seats are in.

Every 2018 Malibu trim (L, LS, LT, Hybrid, Premier) is a five-passenger sedan with a three-place rear bench. 2018 is a carry-over year of the ninth generation (2016 launch), before the 2019 refresh.

39.1 in of front headroom is near the top of the mid-size sedan range. The ninth-generation body is unchanged across 2016–2025.

42.0 in is mid-band for a mid-size sedan, close to the 2018 Camry (42.1 in) and a little behind the Accord (42.3 in). The long wheelbase was spent mostly on the rear seat.

37.5 in is respectable for a fastback-profile sedan and above the segment midpoint, though the sloping roofline makes rear entry a duck for taller adults.

The 111.4 in wheelbase pays off in the back: 38.1 in matches the 2018 Camry (38.0 in) and seats two adults comfortably, though the redesigned 2018 Accord offers 40.4 in.

A 15.8 cu ft trunk on the gas cars is above average for a mid-size sedan and larger than the 2018 Camry's 15.1 cu ft. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat is standard; the Hybrid's battery cuts the trunk to 11.6 cu ft.

Storage is conventional but adequate: a covered console bin, a hidden cubby behind the sliding MyLink surround on 8-inch cars, decent door pockets and cupholders. Nothing clever, and the 120V outlet, rear USB ports and wireless charging are upper-trim content.

The LT volume trim has cloth seats with an 8-way power driver seat and power lumbar; reviewers note ample adjustment range for tall drivers, but cushions are flat and short on support over long drives. Leather, a power passenger seat and ventilation are Leather-package/Premier content.

Ride compliance is the Malibu's strongest comfort trait: a soft, well-damped tune that soaks up broken pavement with only a little float over big heaves. The LT's 17-inch wheels keep it compliant; the Premier's 18s and the Redline's 19s take an edge off.

An acoustic-laminated windshield and front side glass plus Active Noise Cancellation keep wind and engine noise down and the cabin is a little quieter than average. Held below 70 because road noise intrudes on coarse asphalt.

Comfort content is back-loaded. Base cars have manual single-zone A/C; the LT adds rear console air vents and remote start but heated front seats only via the Leather package; heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and dual-zone automatic climate are Premier content. No heated rear seats on 2018.

The 2018 L was a thinly equipped price-leader trim and one of the cheapest mid-size sedans on sale. Most retail buyers started at the LS.

The LT 1.5T is the representative retail trim for 2018, because fleet sales leaned on the LS. The 2018 lineup had no RS trim, which arrived with the 2019 refresh.

Routine service on the 2018 1.5T with its conventional 6-speed automatic is cheap, and the first two years of scheduled maintenance were included. Repair risk climbs once the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain cover lapses. The estimate sits slightly below the ~$6,200 used for the 2020 car to reflect the lower parts and labor costs of the earlier ownership window.

The 2018 car's five-year mark fell in 2023, when used-car prices were still inflated by the shortage. That lifted it above the Malibu's historical ~45–50% curve, though fleet volume kept it below the Camry and Accord.

GM's 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty is the industry floor. It matches Toyota, Honda and Nissan and is two years short of Hyundai and Kia.

The 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain cover is the band floor and half the mileage Hyundai and Kia give original owners.

2018 was the last model year covered by Chevrolet Complete Care: 2 years/24,000 miles of scheduled oil changes, tire rotations and inspections, up to two visits. It also came with 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, plus OnStar and Wi-Fi trials. That beats the single-visit plan used from 2019, though it is still not the multi-year plan of the top band.

$26,095 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (52% retained, or about $13,569) leaves about $12,526 in depreciation. Add the projected $6,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $18,526 in total.

J.D. Power rates the 2018 Malibu's quality and reliability as average (80/100), and Consumer Reports calls it less reliable than other 2018 cars. 2018 is a carry-over year in the 2016 generation, before the 2019 refresh. It is also the build year most often cited for 1.5T turbo and oil-consumption complaints, which keeps the score in the low 60s.

Chevrolet ranks near the top of mass-market brands in J.D. Power's dependability studies, but Consumer Reports rates it only average. That puts the brand above mid-pack without making it a consistent top-five performer.

NHTSA lists six recalls covering MY2018, heavier than the 2020 Malibu's single recall. They include an ECM software fault on 1.5T cars that can disable the fuel injectors and stall the engine (177,282 units), poorly coated rear caliper pistons, a high-pressure fuel pump that can detach and leak fuel, and a start/stop accumulator that can leak transmission fluid. The other two cover passenger-presence sensor calibration and rear seat-belt retractor fasteners. Every recall has a dealer fix, and none is a do-not-drive or park-outside order, so the score sits just below the middle of the 'typical' band.

The volume powertrain is the 1.5L LFV turbo with GM's 6-speed automatic (the CVT replaced it only for 2019). The engine's known weak points are oil consumption from low-tension piston rings and turbo failures concentrated in 2018-2021 builds, on top of the 2018-specific ECM stall recall. The conventional 6-speed avoids the CVT's shudder and replacement-cost risk, so the score is slightly above the 2019-2021 CVT years.

The 2016-design cabin is mostly hard plastics, with some soft-touch and stitched trim on upper trims. It looks low-rent next to the Accord and Camry, both redesigned for 2018. The score is held at 45 rather than lower because the Malibu is priced below those rivals.

J.D. Power's 2018 Quality & Reliability rating is average, and owners' 90-day complaints were about storage, HVAC and the feeling of safety rather than rattles or panel gaps. Assembly at Fairfax is generally solid, but there is none of the segment-leading initial quality the 2020 model earned.

Chevrolet has about 2,860 US franchises, one of the densest dealer networks in the country, including rural areas. Its service satisfaction is above the mass-market average but trails leaders such as Subaru.

Routine repair costs are about average for the class and below the all-vehicle average. The 1.5T and the 6-speed automatic are shared across many GM models, so GM and aftermarket parts remain plentiful even though Malibu production has ended. A conventional automatic is also cheaper to rebuild than the later CVT.

The volume LS/LT trims carry the 7-inch Chevrolet MyLink touchscreen; the 8-inch unit was an LT option (with navigation) and standard on the Premier. The 8-inch screen did not become standard across the range until 2020.

MyLink is quick by 2018 standards with large virtual buttons and a simple layout, and Chevrolet kept physical knobs and buttons for volume, tuning and climate. The 7-inch screen and dated graphics hold it below the best systems.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every touchscreen-equipped 2018 Malibu, but wired only — wireless projection arrived for the 2021 model year.

Built-in navigation (MyLink with Navigation, 8-inch) is a Premier standard and an LT option; most LS/LT buyers get basic command voice control and rely on wired CarPlay/Android Auto or OnStar turn-by-turn (paid plan) for maps.

Volume trims have a six-speaker system — adequate but thin with music. The nine-speaker Bose upgrade is standard on Premier and available on LT/Hybrid via the Leather package, a slightly wider reach than the 2019+ cars where Bose became Premier-only.

Analog speedometer and tachometer on every trim. Base cars get a monochrome Driver Information Center; LT and up add a color DIC between the dials. No full digital cluster at any price.

The 2018 car's MyLink head unit predates Infotainment 3 (introduced with the 2019 refresh), which is what brought GM's infotainment over-the-air updates to the Malibu; 2018 software updates are dealer-installed. OnStar 4G LTE connectivity exists but does not deliver feature updates.

The myChevrolet app covers lock/unlock, remote start (LT and up, with factory remote start), parking reminders, diagnostics and send-to-nav. Remote commands after the trial require a paid OnStar plan; the free Basic Plan covers diagnostics and limited app features only.

One front USB data port plus a 12-volt socket on volume trims. The two rear charge-only USB ports, the 120-volt outlet and the wireless charging pad come with upper-trim equipment (Premier, LT options), so rear passengers in most 2018 Malibus have nowhere to charge. USB-A only; no USB-C.

Keyless Open and Start with push-button start and extended-range remote is standard on every 2018 Malibu, and remote start comes on LT and up. No hands-free or power trunk and no phone-as-key.

A rear vision camera is standard from the LS up; front and rear park assist and rear cross-traffic alert come only in optional Driver Confidence packages (standard on the Hybrid). No surround-view camera, which hurts given the thick rear pillars.

No head-up display was offered on any 2018 Malibu trim or package, or anywhere in the ninth generation.

Physical fit is good: 38.1 in of rear legroom takes a rear-facing seat without shoving the front passenger forward, the rear doors are wide, and a 15.8 cu ft trunk with a standard 60/40 fold swallows a stroller. Held mid-band by IIHS's Marginal LATCH rating, Rear Seat Reminder notwithstanding, and no rear USB on volume trims.

Crash protection is solid on paper — NHTSA 5 stars overall and a 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick — but the award needs optional front crash prevention, the headlights are rated Poor, and AEB, lane keep, blind-spot and cross-traffic alerts are all optional packages on the volume LT. The 2018 Camry and Accord made AEB, lane keeping and adaptive cruise standard.

The chassis does the road-trip work — a comfortable ride, decent rear legroom and a big trunk — and the LT adds rear console vents. The rear cabin is otherwise bare: no heated rear seats on any 2018 trim, rear USB and 120V outlet on upper trims only, and cloth seats that lack long-drive support; road noise intrudes on coarse surfaces.

Commute manners are easy: 184 lb-ft from low revs, a smooth conventional 6-speed automatic, a soft ride, physical controls, keyless start and CarPlay on every touchscreen trim. Held back by no adaptive cruise below the Premier package, no lane centering, wired-only projection and a small 7-inch screen.

Cheap per mile on regular fuel — the volume 1.5T/6-speed returns 30 MPG combined and EPA estimates $2,250/yr — with inexpensive tires and parts and two years of included maintenance. Mid-band because hybrid rivals (and the Malibu's own Hybrid at 46 MPG) do far better in town and the powertrain warranty ends at 60,000 miles.

A full mid-size footprint with a reasonable 37 ft turning circle and a rear camera from LS up. Park assist is only in optional packages, there's no surround view, and the fastback's thick pillars limit sight lines.

A token 1,000 lb trailer rating with no factory trailering package, FWD only, a 160-hp 1.5T on volume trims, and a sealed trunk. The Premier's 250-hp 2.0T adds grunt but not capability. Not a work vehicle.

Heavy fleet/rental use and durable cloth interiors support it, and the conventional 6-speed avoids the later CVT's complaints, but the 1.5L LFV carries an oil-consumption/turbo complaint history and 2018 has six recalls including an ECM stall fault. Powertrain cover ends at 60,000 miles.

A 120V outlet exists only on upper-trim cars; there are no factory roof rails, crossbars or hitch, no washable flooring and no upfit ecosystem. A 60/40 fold and trunk hooks are the whole list.

A comfortable ride and 36 MPG highway on a 15.8-gal tank give long legs between stops. Held back by plain cruise on volume trims (ACC Premier package only, no lane centering), cloth seats that lack long-drive support, road noise on coarse surfaces, and a 1.5T that strains on passes and grades.

No AWD on any trim (the 2018 Fusion offered it), ~6 in ground clearance, token towing, no roof rails, and an AC outlet only on upper trims. Pavement-bound.

An above-average 15.8 cu ft trunk and a standard 60/40 fold for long items, but a sedan trunk opening limits bulky gear and there's no underfloor storage, roof rails or hitch. The Hybrid's trunk shrinks to 11.6 cu ft.

The lightweight ninth-gen chassis corners with more composure than most family sedans and stays predictable when pushed, though the all-season tires howl early and the soft tune keeps it short of the redesigned 2018 Accord.

The electric rack is quick and accurate enough to place the car confidently, but road feel is thin — the most-cited reason the Malibu never feels sporty.

Edmunds' non-hybrid test car stopped from 60 mph in 113 ft, excellent for the class, with a linear pedal and no regen blending on gas models. Duralife rotors are standard.

The volume 1.5T pulls cleanly at low revs and the conventional 6-speed shifts smoothly without CVT drone, but there's mild turbo lag, the transmission is slow to kick down, and the engine runs short of breath for highway passing; auto stop/start is fairly smooth. The Premier's 2.0T/9-speed is strong but low-volume.

Engine noise is well muted at part throttle, helped by Active Noise Cancellation; under hard acceleration the 1.5T turns raspy, and stop/start restarts are noticeable but not harsh.

37 ft curb-to-curb on a 111.4 in wheelbase is mid-pack for a mid-size sedan, marginally tighter than the Camry.

The LT's 8-way power driver seat and a steering wheel with generous telescoping range suit tall drivers, and physical climate and audio controls are simple to use. The fastback roofline limits outward visibility and makes entry awkward.

The volume 1.5T, numb steering and comfort chassis are pleasant but forgettable. The 250-hp 2.0T Premier (~6 s to 60) and a reasonably agile chassis lift the nameplate slightly.

The 2018 Malibu came standard with a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a rear camera and Teen Driver. Automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise were packaged options at the upper trims. The redesigned 2018 Camry and Accord made AEB and lane-keep standard, so the Malibu lagged on essentials.

Prices were low: the LT stickered at $26,095, and $2,500–3,250 discounts were common, which made a roomy mid-size sedan with a 1.5T very cheap to buy. The 2.0T Premier offered strong performance per dollar. Missing standard safety tech and a modest base engine keep it at fair value rather than a bargain.

Five trims (L, LS, LT, Hybrid, Premier) span about $9,300, with three powertrains: the 1.5T with a 6-speed automatic, the 2.0T with an 8-speed, and the 1.8L Hybrid. That is broader than the 2020 car, which had lost the Hybrid, but there was no AWD and option packaging was rigid.

Calendar 2018 sales fell about 22% to 144,542. That was still a top-five mid-size seller, but well behind the Camry, Accord and Altima, and the decline was steep as buyers moved to crossovers.

Chevrolet is a familiar mass-market brand with the densest dealer network, but the Malibu carries rental-fleet associations and soft resale. The image is neutral rather than a draw.

In the pre-shortage 2018 market the Malibu carried large national incentives: $2,500 customer cash plus $750 GM Financial cash, $3,250 in total. The Premier could reach about $6,084 off with employee pricing.

2018 is the third model year of the ninth generation, which launched for 2016, and a carry-over year whose only addition was the Redline Edition appearance package. The platform was still reasonably current, but the Camry and Accord were fully redesigned for 2018, and the Malibu's own mid-cycle refresh arrived for 2019.

Reviewers credit the roomy cabin, simple infotainment and solid handling, but call the 1.5T underpowered and standard equipment thin. US News ranked it #9 of 15 affordable mid-size cars, and it was a finalist (not a winner) for Best Midsize Car for the Money and for Families.