2020 Chevy Malibu Review
Price Range: $12,495 - $22,998





+113
2020 Chevrolet Malibu Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Several optional packages have been renamed
- The Malibu Hybrid has been discontinued
- Part of the ninth Malibu generation introduced for 2016
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.37 per gallon for regular unleaded in Illinois.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
$131/mo for Malibu L
Malibu L
vs
$170/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#10 out of 28 among Midsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Chevrolet Malibu from 2008-2022.$446/yr
vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.8x/yr
vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).11.4%
vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Chevrolet Malibu Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(35%)
4(11%)
3(14%)
2(3%)
1(37%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Surprisingly Nice!
4 out of 5 starsCory, 09/09/2019
2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
I rented a 2020 Malibu with the base 1.5L engine and the CVT transmission which I had initially expected to perform horribly on the highway. I was wrong and this car was a pleasant surprise in almost every regard. I averaged 37 MPG in mixed city/highway driving, the car rode very smoothly and handled better than expected. The seats were comfortable, even on a 5 hour drive and there was … enough space for 4 adults to be comfortable the whole time. The android auto worked flawlessly and the heated seats were quick to warm up and the settings allowed for optimal comfort. Overall, I was highly impressed with this car, particularly because I expected to be disappointed. My lease on my Terrain ends in a few months and I may replace it with a new Malibu. The Malibu handles better, gets better MPG and overall was more fun to drive.
Sticking with the Malibu
4 out of 5 starsRick katai, 01/31/2021
2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
I am a car guy. I absolutely do not like, or need an SUV. It is getting more and more difficult to find a car made by an American manufacturer. That being said, I am very pleased with my Chevy Malibu with the top of the line Premier trim package. It basically loads up the car with all the goodies. I chose the black cherry metallic color with a black and gray interior that garners … many compliments. The 4 cylinder turbo along with the 9 speed transmission gives good performance along with about 30mpg combined city/highway mileage. It is a very comfortable long distance road car. The Bose sound system is very good.
My only complaint and warning to new car buyers is the totally worthless spare tire inflater system instead of an actual spare tire. It does NOT work. My dealer quickly got me an actual tire and jack at no charge.
Love my Malibu
5 out of 5 starsBarry Cantor, 02/05/2021
2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
Bought a 2020 RS, the gas mileage is amazing (37 on the highway), the 1.5L engine has plenty of power and the cvt tranny is very smooth. The black bow ties, grill, and spoiler are a great addition to this model. This car looks sharp. The Apple CarPlay is great for all iPhone users. I would recommend this to anyone as a daily commuter.
Wow!
5 out of 5 starsGary Gottschalk, 11/19/2020
2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
I recently rented a vehicle for an extended trip. Given the option of three different makes and models I ultimately selected a Chevrolet Malibu.
I’m a SUV owner and haven’t purchased a sedan in quite sometime.
I was extremely impressed with the Malibu. The driver’s seat was one of the most comfortable I’ve experienced in some time. My last day of driving was approximately 13 hours … in duration with minimal short breaks. I was more relaxed after that drive than I was a week later in my own car after two drives of three hours in duration with an extended lunch break.
I was also very impressed with the gas mileage. While most of my driving was “Highway” driving I was getting 36+ miles per gallon. Amazing!
Comfortable and fuel efficient both.
2020 Malibu Highlights
L
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $22,095 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 32 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $131/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Malibu models:
- Forward Collision Alert
- Warns the driver of potential obstacles ahead. (Automatic braking is available as an optional extra.)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Informs the driver of vehicles in perpendicular motion behind the car when reversing.
- Pedestrian Detection
- Warns the driver of pedestrians in the roadway and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not take action.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall4 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat3 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover10.3%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedPoor
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
4.5 average Rating out of 40 reviews. |
Starting at $20,500 |
4.1 average Rating out of 62 reviews. |
Starting at $28,700 |
4.6 average Rating out of 25 reviews. |
Starting at $28,600 |
Related Used 2020 Chevrolet Malibu info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Toyota Avalon 2020 Review
- Audi Q7 2020 Review
- GMC Sierra 3500HD 2020 Review
- Infiniti Q50 2020 Review
- Rolls Royce Cullinan 2021 Review
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2010
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2011
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2012
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2013
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2014 For Sale
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2015
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2016
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2017
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2018
- Used Chevrolet Malibu 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 S5
- 2024 Polestar 2
- New Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- New Toyota Tundra
- New Volvo XC40
- 2026 Chevrolet Trax News
- 2024 Subaru Impreza WRX
- New Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
- New Genesis G80
- 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia
Research other models of Chevrolet
- 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
- 2024 Equinox
- Chevrolet Camaro 2024
- 2025 Chevrolet Traverse
- New Chevrolet Colorado
- New Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2024 Chevrolet Camaro
- New Chevrolet Suburban
- 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
- 2025 Blazer
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used Infiniti J30 in El Cerrito, CA 1997
- Used Smart Fortwo in Royersford, PA 2018
- Used Hyundai Veracruz in Old Saybrook, CT 2012
- Used Nissan Frontier in Vienna, VA 2025
- Used Chevrolet Ck-1500-Series in Yankton, SD 1999
- Used Mercedes-Benz Eqs in Winchester, KY 2025
- Used Ford E-Transit-Cargo-Van in Springfield, OR 2025
- Used Chrysler 300M in Smyrna, DE 2004
- Used Ford Transit-Passenger-Van in Oroville, CA 2025
- Used Mazda B-Series in Palmetto, FL 2001