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2009 Chevrolet Malibu Bottom Line

July 19, 2009

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

 Editors at TheCarConnection.com have driven the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and spent a lot of time with several of the variants, from basic to luxurious, to compile their overall impression in this Bottom Line. Then TheCarConnection.com combed the Web to gather insight and input from other driving opinions to create a review that covers all the bases.

Likes:

  • Elegant interior styling and top-tier materials
  • Refined, responsive powertrains
  • Four-cylinder fuel economy
  • Feels different than rivals
  • Good roadholding

Dislikes:

  • Not very sporty
  • No screen-based nav system

Buying Tips:


There's a pretty significant difference in ride quality between the four-cylinder and V-6 versions of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu; the two versions get completely different steering systems as well. Make sure you take them both out for a longer drive if you're split between the two.

The mid-size Chevrolet Malibu sedan was completely redesigned for 2008, and most of the changes hold over into 2009. In 2008, all the proportions and interior/exterior styling were reworked, so 2009 sports the newly upscale appearance. At the top of the Malibu line, an available 252-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 provides a lot of kick and refinement for picky drivers.

The most popular engine choice for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu lineup is the economical 169-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is rated at a frugal 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway. For 2009, every Chevy Malibu gets the top-notch six-speed automatic transmission. Performance in the 2009 Malibu is good enough with the four-cylinder engine, but if you plan to haul full loads or take on mountain passes, you may prefer the V-6, which is very responsive and better suited to sporty driving.

The cabin is very well designed, with an attractive instrument panel and materials that are pleasing to the touch. Front seats were among the most comfortable in the mid-size sedan class, and the backseat is quite roomy. The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has a very smooth, well-controlled ride and handles securely, though without much performance flair. If equipped with the four-cylinder engine, the Malibu has a fuel-saving electric power steering system, but V-6 versions come with hydraulic power steering, which provides a bit more road feel. For 2009, stability control is standard across the line.

Three models grace the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu lineup: the base LS, midrange LT, and luxury-laden LTZ. The LS includes power accessories, keyless entry, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. By the time drivers make it to the top LTZ model, however, the list gets much longer. It includes features such as remote start, automatic climate control, a universal remote, and power-adjustable pedals, plus a number of appearance extras like LED tail lamps and interior ambient lighting. For 2009, the OnStar system has been revamped to include Bluetooth (features like navigation remain intact). The Malibu comes with a one-year subscription, but after that the owner must pay a fee.

Safety is a strong point for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Front side thorax airbags and side curtain bags that cover front and rear occupants are standard, plus anti-lock brakes. The Malibu earns the top five-star rating in all of the federal government's crash tests, along with top "good" ratings from the insurance industry in frontal offset and side tests.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Fusion and the Altima are more fun to drive than the Malibu, but neither of them is as roomy and comfortable inside. Backseat room is another big differentiator; the Malibu and Camry both have very spacious rear seats, as does the Accord, but the Altima's is especially tight. And the Malibu's interior puts Toyota to shame; its attractive interior is well styled and has better-looking and better-feeling materials than much of the class. The Fusion has by far the boldest, most aggressive styling, while the Accord arguably looks the most elegant. The Sonata is more comfort-oriented, but its interior isn't quite up to the standards of the Malibu or Accord, and it's not as quiet inside.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is a top contender in its class in almost every way.

 Editors at TheCarConnection.com have driven the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and spent a lot of time with several of the variants, from basic to luxurious, to compile their overall impression in this Bottom Line. Then TheCarConnection.com combed the Web to gather insight and input from other driving opinions to create a review that covers all the bases. Likes:Elegant interior styling and top-tier materialsRefined, responsive powertrainsFour-cylinder fuel economyFeels different than rivalsGood roadholdingDislikes:Not very sportyNo screen-based nav systemBuying Tips: There's a pretty significant difference in ride quality between the four-cylinder and V-6 versions of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu; the two versions get completely different steering systems as well. Make sure you take them both out for a longer drive if you're split between the two. The mid-size Chevrolet Malibu sedan was completely redesigned for 2008, and most of the changes hold over into 2009. In 2008, all the proportions and interior/exterior styling were reworked, so 2009 sports the newly upscale appearance. At the top of the Malibu line, an available 252-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 provides a lot of kick and refinement for picky drivers. The most popular engine choice for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu lineup is the economical 169-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is rated at a frugal 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway. For 2009, every Chevy Malibu gets the top-notch six-speed automatic transmission. Performance in the 2009 Malibu is good enough with the four-cylinder engine, but if you plan to haul full loads or take on mountain passes, you may prefer the V-6, which is very responsive and better suited to sporty driving. The cabin is very well designed, with an attractive instrument panel and materials that are pleasing to the touch. Front seats were among the most comfortable in the mid-size sedan class, and the backseat is quite roomy. The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has a very smooth, well-controlled ride and handles securely, though without much performance flair. If equipped with the four-cylinder engine, the Malibu has a fuel-saving electric power steering system, but V-6 versions come with hydraulic power steering, which provides a bit more road feel. For 2009, stability control is standard across the line. Three models grace the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu lineup: the base LS, midrange LT, and luxury-laden LTZ. The LS includes power accessories, keyless entry, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. By the time drivers make it to the top LTZ model, however, the list gets much longer. It includes features such as remote start, automatic climate control, a universal remote, and power-adjustable pedals, plus a number of appearance extras like LED tail lamps and interior ambient lighting. For 2009, the OnStar system has been revamped to include Bluetooth (features like navigation remain intact). The Malibu comes with a one-year subscription, but after that the owner must pay a fee. Safety is a strong point for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. Front side thorax airbags and side curtain bags that cover front and rear occupants are standard, plus anti-lock brakes. The Malibu earns the top five-star rating in all of the federal government's crash tests, along with top "good" ratings from the insurance industry in frontal offset and side tests. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, also consider:Ford FusionHonda AccordHyundai SonataNissan AltimaToyota CamryReason Why:The Fusion and the Altima are more fun to drive than the Malibu, but neither of them is as roomy and comfortable inside. Backseat room is another big differentiator; the Malibu and Camry both have very spacious rear seats, as does the Accord, but the Altima's is especially tight. And the Malibu's interior puts Toyota to shame; its attractive interior is well styled and has better-looking and better-feeling materials than much of the class. The Fusion has by far the boldest, most aggressive styling, while the Accord arguably looks the most elegant. The Sonata is more comfort-oriented, but its interior isn't quite up to the standards of the Malibu or Accord, and it's not as quiet inside. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is a top contender in its class in almost every way.  Editors at TheCarConnection.com have driven the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and spent a lot of time with several of the variants, from basic to luxurious, to compile their overall impression in this Bottom Line. Then TheCarConnection.com combed the Web to gather insight and input from other ...

Other Choices:

The Fusion and the Altima are more fun to drive than the Malibu, but neither of them is as roomy and comfortable inside. Backseat room is another big differentiator; the Malibu and Camry both have very spacious rear seats, as does the Accord, but the Altima's is especially tight. And the Malibu's interior puts Toyota to shame; its attractive interior is well styled and has better-looking and better-feeling materials than much of the class. The Fusion has by far the boldest, most aggressive styling, while the Accord arguably looks the most elegant. The Sonata is more comfort-oriented, but its interior isn't quite up to the standards of the Malibu or Accord, and it's not as quiet inside.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu from a dealer near you

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for the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu

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for a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu near you

See the Chevrolet Malibu in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (6 total)

  1. By  Automobile Mechanics #1, Posted: 7/22/2009

    nice post having good information.
    Thanks.

  2. By Jaxon #2, Posted: 8/4/2009

    Is the all-new Chevrolet Malibu ready to win the head-to-head competition with perennial favorites like Honda Accord and Toyota Camry? It's a tall order, but the just-introduced Malibu is poised to steal back the popularity it once enjoyed. Watch video: http://tinyurl.com/mta8x8

  3. By M Taylor #3, Posted: 9/15/2009

    We just purchased a new malibu ltz v-6 with 6 speed transmission. A major problem I have with this vehicle is that when you decelerate at any speed, the vehicle jerks and jumps simular to a miss-firing spark plug. Two dealers have told me this is normal for this transmission.

  4. By Janko H #4, Posted: 10/21/2009

    I have not driven new Malibu yet. Just one observation: Car of that size/weight built with McPherson Strut in the front CANNOT handle as good as Honda's or Toyota's fine tuned double-wishbone suspension. Sorry, chevy is once again trying to pull a quick one consumers that don't do their homework prior to purchase.

  5. By Ben #5, Posted: 10/24/2009

    We just purchased a new malibu. A major problem I have with this vehicle is that when you accelerate from a stop, the vehicle jerks and jumps ahead similar to a car which run out of gas. Two dealers have told me this is normal for this transmission. At $30,000 Canadian I am not a happy camper. No wonder their reputation slumped along with sales. I will not make this mistake again.

  6. By Lola #6, Posted: 10/26/2009

    I was in a wreck, my 08 Malibu was totalled, but my 18month old was scratch/hurt free. She was perfectly untouched. Safety is a concern of mine and Malibu performed well. I purchased another 09 Malibu. Consumers and critics should give this car much credit. If people gripe about the economy and go buy a honda, what does that fix? Support your own country and help someone keep their job. GREAT CAR inside and out and great value

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