2020 Chevy Malibu – Albany, NY

When it comes to sedans, many tend to be boring with little to offer in terms of power. But for the 2020 Chevy Malibu, that simply isn’t the case. This sleek beauty offers two engine options to suit your need for speed and exhilaration. 

The first option is the turbocharged 1.5L EcoTech engine that generates 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with front-wheel-drive (FWD) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it has an exceptional fuel economy set at 32 mpg combined (29 city/36 highway). It can have you rolling down the highway for 560 miles before needing to stop at a gas station to fill up again. This is mainly due to the engine’s direct injection and start/stop technology. These two features help extend the life of your fuel, which ultimately saves you time and money. 

The second option is the turbocharged 2.0L engine that produces 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Only available on the top-tier Premier trim level, this motor is coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission and has a fuel economy set at 27 mpg combined (22 city/32 highway). While it may not be as good on gas as its little brother, it does offer a more exhilarating ride and faster acceleration. 

When you slip behind the wheel of the 2020 Chevy Malibu, what you will be greeted with depends mainly on which trim level you have chosen. There are five to choose from, including L, LS, RS, LT, and Premier. 

The base L trim level offers air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, keyless ignition/entry, and smartphone compatibility via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System that is displayed on an 8-inch color touchscreen and features Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling. You can listen to music through the standard 6-speaker stereo system, and the tilt-and-telescoping steering column can be manually adjusted to suit your height. For long drives, you can easily set the cruise control. 

The LS version adds comfort and convenience features like sound-reducing glass and OnStar technology. With this system comes a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot to keep you connected everywhere you go. The outside temperature is also displayed, and the rearview camera prevents you from backing into objects while in reverse. It also assists with parallel street parking. 

Moving to the RS trim level will get you more exterior styling additions, which we will cover later. However, it does add a few enhancements to the interior, such as power-adjustable seats covered in premium cloth upholstery and elegant leather wrappings on the steering wheel and shift knob. The backseat also features an armrest for extra comfort. 

The LT trim level adds comfort features like dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and rear air vents. Convenience add-ons include satellite radio, visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, and remote start.

The top-of-the-line Premier model is similar to the LT with added leather seating and a sunroof. Technology upgrades include a built-in navigation system and a premium 9-speaker Bose stereo system to optimized music listening. A 120-volt power outlet has also been added as well as a USB port for charging your mobile device. 

Safety features many include forward collision alert, blindspot monitoring, adaptive cruise control lane-departure warning, rear parking assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and pedestrian braking. All of these operations work together to help prevent accidents on the road. They come with the Driver Confidence Package. 

For protection during a crash, ten airbags have been installed. Front and knee airbags protect the driver and passenger, while the seat-mounted side-impact airbags and head-curtain airbags protect all outboard seating positions. This also comes with the Passenger Sensing System that will turn the front passenger airbags on or off depending on whether or not there is a front passenger. 

There are also many other packages that can be added to the trim levels. Convenience Package 1 adds the remote start kit and a cargo net, and Convenience Package 2 includes all-weather floor mats and a universal tablet holder. A first aid kit can also be provided, because you never know when it will come in handy. 

The dimensions of the 2020 Chevy Malibu remain the same across all trim levels. The trunk is 15.7 cubic feet, which is ample for a mid-size model. The front headroom is measured at 39.10 inches, front legroom is 41.5 inches, and the front shoulder room is 58.5 inches. 

As a sporty sedan, the 2020 Chevy Malibu shows off its impressively sleek lines and angles. Dual exhaust tips, LED daytime running lights, and LED taillamps give it an athletic, futuristic look.

The Malibu L rides on 16-inch aluminum wheels and has a compact spare tire in the event of a flat. The LS is eligible for front and rear splash guards and unique exterior accents such as black bowtie emblems and fender hash marks in red/black, black/grey, grey/light grey color combinations. If you choose the RS trim level, you will get a black grille with chrome accents, a rear spoiler, body-colored power side mirrors, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The LT comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels and body-colored/heated side mirrors. If you don’t like those standard LT wheels, you can choose from an array of other sizes and colors, including 18-in aluminum wheels with Lunar Gray pockets or 19-in black wheels. This level is also eligible for the Appearance Package, which includes glossy black side mirror caps, the sport pedal kit, and a grille with dark chrome accents. Stainless steel front door sill plates are also available for the LT. The final Malibu Premier offers 19-inch aluminum wheels that can come in black. The body-colored/heated side mirrors have integrated turn signals, and the door handles are chrome with body-colored inserts. A tire inflator kit and sunroof are standard on the Premier. 

As for the exterior paint colors, there are six options. These classic colors include Mosaic Black Metallic, Black Cherry Metallic, Shadow Gray Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, and the spicy Cajun Red Tintcoat. The entire length of the vehicle is 194.2 inches (over 16 feet), and it stands 57.9 inches tall (almost 5 feet).