To me, when I hear “Chevy Malibu,” the first thing that comes to mind is the car driven by a pizza delivery guy. To be honest, I’m not sure if that’s because I saw it in a movie, if the local pizza guy drove a Malibu when I was in my 20s, or if my brain is just wired strangely, but that’s what I think of. That was, however, until I saw the 2019 Chevy Malibu. The first thing I thought when I saw the new model was, “Wow!”
The 2019 Chevy Malibu is definitely not the car I envision when I hear that name, and that’s probably a good thing. The all-new design looks fantastic, much sleeker and sportier than I expected, and the options are a thing of beauty. It seems Chevrolet is serious about making the Malibu a real contender for people interested in sporty 4-door cars, and the new Malibu RS definitely looks like it’s ready to turn some heads. But don’t just take my word for it; check out what the new Malibu has to offer.
1. The Engine Options
If you’re going to talk about a car, then you have to talk about its engine. It’s the heart of the whole thing, and if a car has a weak heart, then you’re not going to get very far. When the heart is strong, however, then you know it will get you where you’re going for years to come. That metaphor ran away for a moment there, but the point is this: the engine matters.
The 2019 Chevy Malibu comes with a standard turbocharged 1.5L ECOTEC 4-cylinder engine that provides 160-hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, while still giving you excellent fuel economy. That means you can roar through town while getting 29 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. The large tank gives you a maximum highway range of up to 560 miles on a single tank of gas.
If that’s not good enough, then you can step things up with an available 2.0L turbocharged ECOTEC 4-cylinder engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission that gives you 250-hp and up to 260 lb.-ft. of torque. And yet you don’t have to sacrifice excellent fuel economy, as this engine still gets 22 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. If you want better fuel economy, then there’s a third option… but you’ll have to keep reading to learn about that down below.
2. The Latest Technology
Chevrolet is definitely leading the industry in terms of integrating technology and smart connectivity in their new vehicles. The 2019 Chevy Malibu is no exception and includes an Infotainment system with an 8-inch reconfigurable display that provides the driver with all sorts of information. This includes things like streaming audio, working as an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and getting directions and other navigation information.
All of this works beautifully with your smartphone or similar device thanks to the myChevrolet mobile app that lets you connect to your car remotely and control a range of different functions. You can lock and unlock doors, and even start or stop the Malibu’s engine remotely through the app, which is great for warming up the car in the morning or turning it off if you realize your quick run inside is going to take longer than you expected. The app even lets you check diagnostic information and send navigation information to your car without being in it.
The 2019 Chevy Malibu is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so it works with whatever platform you prefer. Of course, you also get Bluetooth connectivity with this whole setup, so you can easily stream your favorite audio from your phone or other device. You can also use voice commands to control your entertainment system without ever taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.
3. The All-New Malibu RS
The new 2019 Chevy Malibu already looks great at first glance, but the RS trim level really takes things up another level. When you think 4-door sedans, you probably don’t picture something sleek and sexy, yet the Malibu RS delivers just that. It includes a black sport grille and bowtie emblems, with 18-inch machined wheels that certainly make an immediate impression. It’s a 4-door, but it looks more like a sports car.
There’s also an exposed dual exhaust design and a rear spoiler, so people will definitely remember this car when it drives away. Inside is a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, along with the rest of the luxurious interior that just begs for you to get in and ride. The 8-way power driver seat, including power lumbar, ensures you get the perfect feel to keep you comfortable even on long drives.
4. The Great Safety Features
I don’t care how great your car looks or how fuel efficient the engine is, if it’s not safe, then it’s a failure. Fortunately, the 2019 Chevy Malibu is loaded with all sorts of safety features to help prevent collisions from happening, and protect you if the unthinkable does occur. It starts with StabiliTrak, which is designed to help keep the Malibu stable and ensure excellent traction.
Daytime running lamps ensure visibility at dusk or in poor weather and there are a total of 10 airbags. TEN. That includes frontal airbags, knee and seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and curtain airbags to protect your head. It also has a rear vision camera to provide greater visibility behind the Malibu.
One of the most interesting and unique features is a new Teen Driver system that provides an in-vehicle report card to show issues or errors a driver makes. This lets a parent review how their teen driver has been driving even when he or she isn’t in the vehicle with them. It seems Chevrolet thinks it’s important not only to prevent collisions and protect passengers in an accident but to also help raise the next generation of safe drivers. I agree.
5. The “Oh By-the-Way It’s Available as a Hybrid!”
Remember that third engine option I mentioned? It’s an available 1.8L 4-cylinder hybrid propulsion system that provides greater fuel efficiency than you could ever achieve with a standard engine. As a hybrid, this combines both traditional gasoline power with an electric power system, so while you still have to fill up at the pump, you will do so much less often.
With this engine, you get 49 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway, for nearly unmatched levels of fuel efficiency from a similar-class sedan. This is available exclusively in the new Malibu Hybrid model that includes all of the great features of the standard Malibu with the environmental-consciousness of a hybrid.
This includes features like an HD rear-vision camera, a 6-speaker audio system, the standard 8-inch touchscreen display as part of the Infotainment system, and included built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The display is also reconfigurable so you can customize it to provide you with the information you find most useful. The 2019 Chevy Malibu Hybrid also includes keyless open and keyless start, which lets you unlock or lock the vehicle’s doors and even start the ignition without actually using the keys.
It’s more than clear, this isn’t your delivery drivers Chevy Malibu. Instead, this Chevy offers a level of refinement, tech-savvy, and eco-friendly often reserved for some called “premium” brands… Well, perhaps its time to consider not only the Malibu but Chevy as within the ranks of a premium automaker.
