2022 Chevrolet Malibu RS

Overview
In the world of family sedans, the 2022 Chevy Malibu gets lost in the crowd. Its design is handsome enough and its driving demeanor is pleasant enough, but nearly all of its rivals are better equipped and more desirable, particularly the ever-excellent Honda Accord and the eye-catching Kia K5. Buyers of the Malibu are getting a perfectly fine sedan, it's just not the one we'd pick. Most models come with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); the top Premier model comes with a gutsier turbo 2.0-liter. No matter the engine, all models come with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is not an option. Driver-assistance features are available, but unlike nearly all of its rivals, the Chevy doesn't offer these features as standard.

What's New for 2022?
The base L trim has been eliminated. Otherwise, the Malibu carries over into 2022 with no significant changes.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
LS $24,495
RS $25,495
LT $27,895
Premier. $34,595

We recommend buying the LT trim, as it comes with more standard features than the lowly LS. The LT comes standard with 17-inch wheels, LED taillights, an acoustically laminated windshield, remote engine start, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. If driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist are on your list of must-haves, the Driver Confidence I and Driver Confidence II packages add those features and more.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Like many family sedans, the Malibu offers several powertrains. Most Malibu models are propelled by a dutiful 163-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through a CVT. When we tested the car with the new CVT, we recorded a wholly average 7.8-second zero-to-60-mph time. This combination is slower than similar rivals in our acceleration tests, but it delivered a smooth, even pull. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four—which is exclusive to the top-tier Premier trim—makes 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The last Malibu 2.0T we tested ran well enough, but neither its real-world fuel economy nor its performance bested those of its competitors, many of which made do with V-6 engines rather than turbochargers.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
In terms of EPA fuel-mileage estimates, the Malibu's smallest engine underperforms the equivalent base powertrains in the Accord and the Toyota Camry. The Malibu's 2.0-liter turbo engine, however, has thoroughly competitive government ratings compared with the optional powerplants in the Honda and Toyota, but we haven't tested its real-world fuel economy. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine managed a respectable 34 mpg over the course of our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route. For more information about the Malibu's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
While the Malibu's interior is not the fanciest or the quietest, it is comfortable and ergonomically friendly. The cabin has competitive passenger space and options, but most alternatives have better outward visibility. The Malibu's symmetrical dashboard and the large opening beneath the center stack make the cockpit feel spacious. The front seats have a wide base and supportive side bolsters, but their back cushions are too narrow for some occupants. The back seat has less legroom than the Accord's back seat, but it still fit our adult frames. The Malibu boasts a big trunk with ample carry-on capacity; it also has plenty of interior storage space even though it doesn't lead the class.