Skip to main content

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.

The L trim is the base model, but it comes with the bare necessities such as air conditioning and extras such as steering wheel controls, keyless entry and ignition, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The LS, RS and LT all feature increasing levels of content based off the L model. The LS adds some creature comforts such as noise-reducing glass and OnStar, but it really just paves the way for some option packages. The RS adds convenience amenities such as power-adjustable seats and style accessories such as a rear spoiler and unique grille. With the LT, you'll get satellite radio, front-seat heating, and dual-zone climate control with a vent for rear-seat passengers.

The Premier model upgrades to a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and a nine-speed transmission that produces 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Feature content is similar to the LT model but with the addition of built-in navigation, a nine-speaker audio system, leather seating and a sunroof, among other features.

Several driver safety aids are optional on the Malibu, including forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning.

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
Vehicle
L
1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT
See all Malibu L for sale
LS
1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT
See all Malibu LS for sale
1 for sale near you
LS Fleet
1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT
See all Malibu LS Fleet for sale
RS
1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT
See all Malibu RS for sale
LT
1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT
See all Malibu LT for sale
8 for sale near you
Hide similarities
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
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