Used 2020 Chevy Malibu Sedan Trims Comparison
Trim level differences
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu is a five-seat, four-door midsize sedan that's available in five trim levels: L, LS, RS, LT and Premier. All but the Premier come with the same 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and CVT automatic combination that sends 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels.
Which Malibu trim does Edmunds recommend?
We used to recommend the hybrid as it provided the best combination of features, performance and value. But since Chevrolet discontinued it this year, the next best choice is the Premier. Yes, it's the most expensive version of the Malibu, but its more powerful engine makes daily driving a lot more enjoyable.
Compare trims side-by-side
Comparing average pricing near
Watertown, CT
Vehicle | Malibu L | Malibu LS | Malibu LS Fleet | Malibu RS | Malibu LT | Malibu Premier |
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Vehicle | ||||||
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Section Title | Features | Features | Features | Features | Features | Features |
Bluetooth | Not Available | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
Navigation | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
Satellite radio | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | standard | standard |
Keyless Ignition | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
Cruise control | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
Adaptive cruise control | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | optional |
Parking assistance | Not Available | Not Available | optional | Not Available | optional | Not Available |
Upholstery | premium cloth | premium cloth | premium cloth | premium cloth | premium cloth | leather |
Heated seats | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | standard | standard |
Cooled/Ventilated seats | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | standard |
Folding rear seats | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
Sunroof | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | optional | standard |
Section Title | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications | Specifications |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive | front wheel drive | front wheel drive | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Engine power | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 160 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 250 hp @ 5,300 rpm |
Engine torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
Engine displacement | 1.5 l | 1.5 l | 1.5 l | 1.5 l | 1.5 l | 2.0 l |
Engine configuration | inline 4 | inline 4 | inline 4 | inline 4 | inline 4 | inline 4 |
Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic | 9-speed shiftable automatic |
Tire size | 205/65R16 | 205/65R16 | 205/65R16 | 245/45R18 | 225/55R17 | 245/40R19 |
Wheel size | 16 X 7.5-in | 16 X 7.5-in | 16 X 7.5-in | 18 X 8.0-in | 17 X 8.0-in | 19 X 8.5-in |
Wheel type | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels | painted alloy wheels |
Run flat tires | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Section Title | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy | Fuel economy |
City/Hwy/Combined MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 29 / 36 / 32 MPG | 22 / 32 / 26 MPG |
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Fuel Capacity | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. |
Driving Range (city/hwy) | 458 / 569 miles | 458 / 569 miles | 458 / 569 miles | 458 / 569 miles | 458 / 569 miles | 348 / 506 miles |
Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
Section Title | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions | Dimensions |
Turning circle | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. | 37.0 ft. |
Curb weight | 3,126 lb. | 3,135 lb. | 3,135 lb. | 3,135 lb. | 3,159 lb. | 3,223 lb. |
Ground Clearance | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Overall Width with Mirrors | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Overall Width without Mirrors | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. | 73.0 in. |
Height | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. |
Length | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. | 194.2 in. |
Wheelbase | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. | 111.4 in. |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Cargo Space | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. | 15.7 cu. ft. |
Front Head Room | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. | 39.1 in. |
Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. |
Front Shoulder Room | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. | 58.5 in. |
Rear Head Room | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. | 37.5 in. |
Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. | 38.1 in. |
Rear Shoulder Room | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. | 57.1 in. |
Section Title | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs | 5-Year Ownership Costs |
True Cost to Own® | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Average Cost Per Mile | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Depreciation | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Financing | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Taxes & Fees | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Fuel | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Insurance | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Maintenance | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Repairs | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
Section Title | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors | Colors |
Interior | Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray, premium cloth | Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray, premium cloth Jet Black, premium cloth | Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray, premium cloth Jet Black, premium cloth | Jet Black, premium cloth | Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray, premium cloth Dark Atmosphere/Light Wheat, leather Jet Black, leather Jet Black, premium cloth | Dark Atmosphere/Light Wheat, leather Jet Black, leather |
Exterior | Silver Ice Metallic Summit White | Mosaic Black Metallic Black Cherry Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White | Mosaic Black Metallic Black Cherry Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White | Cajun Red Tintcoat Mosaic Black Metallic Black Cherry Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White | Cajun Red Tintcoat Mosaic Black Metallic Stone Gray Metallic Black Cherry Metallic Northsky Blue Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White | Cajun Red Tintcoat Mosaic Black Metallic Stone Gray Metallic Black Cherry Metallic Northsky Blue Metallic Shadow Gray Metallic Silver Ice Metallic Summit White |