Chevrolet Malibu.
Last Updated:
Unfortunately, GM stopped production of the Chevrolet Malibu sedan last November. While it still sold over 130,000 units in 2023. Or about 15,000 more than the previous year. That was also more than the Nissan Altima.
The illustrations above show 3 possibilities of what a next-generation Malibu could have looked like. Including a PHEV version and a slightly raised hatchback model.
While GM was rumored to be working on a next-generation Malibu, based on an updated platform, it seems a new EV version of the Chevrolet sedan based on the Ultium platform could actually make more sense. It would basically be a much sleeker sedan version of the Chevrolet Equinox EV with an even longer range. The Equinox EV currently starts at around $34,000. This means an EV sedan for a price that would be very close to a mainstream ICE model. And quite a bit cheaper than the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
However, the Fairfax plant where the sedan was built is now getting ready to produce the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV. And not a new Malibu. Of course, an all-new Bolt with a much more modern Ultium battery with faster charging and more range than the previous generation has the potential to be quite a hit for GM. Much more so than a regular sedan.
There could have been a new Hybrid Malibu based on that updated platform mentioned earlier. Or it could have easily switched to the new Equinox VSS-S platform. And offer a PHEV model just like the PHEV Equinox already on sale in China (And probably in the US soon).
The Kia EV4 sedan is coming very soon and will be sold in the US as well. It will be interesting to see if the rumored mid- $30,000 EV sedan does well in North America. Either way, I think GM might have missed an opportunity by not having a new Malibu at all.
The last Malibu drove pretty well and had decent mileage for a non hybrid car. Its big problems were it was too low and cramped inside (like a lot of sedans anymore) and the cheapness of the interior held it back. I’d prefer to see Chevy make it a hybrid, sedan form, taller roofline for decent headroom front and back, and slightly raised suspension. Not everything needs to be a hatchback or SUV. But it should have enough room and be reasonable to get in/out of.