Chevrolet Malibu: Third Redesign's the Charm
Redesigned for the third time in eight model-years, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu adds 3.6 inches to the wheelbase and has an engine lineup including two turbocharged four-bangers and a hybrid option.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

2016 Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu has been redesigned for the third time in eight model-years. The 2016 sheds 300 pounds, adds 3.6 inches to the wheelbase and boasts an engine lineup that includes two turbocharged four-bangers and a hybrid option.
Three years ago, the eighth-generation Malibu gained enough size and power to compete with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and a host of others, including the newly redesigned Kia Optima in the midsize sedan category. The new car brings added rear legroom and styling borrowed from the larger Impala.

Specs for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2016 also includes “Teen Driver,” a built-in telematics system designed to allow parents (and fleet owners) to set alarms off above a certain speed, limit stereo volume and track speed and miles driven, among other features.
The base L, LS and 1LT get a 1.5-liter turbo that delivers 160 horsepower (hp) and 184 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. The 2LT and Premier (née LTZ) get a 2.0-liter turbo that carries over with some refinements, upping the ante to 250 hp and 258 lb.-ft. EPA testing was not complete at press time, but General Motors projects 27 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway for the 1.5-liter and 32 mpg for the 2.0-liter.
The Malibu Hybrid features a 1.8-liter inline four paired with an electric drive unit with two electric motors to deliver 182 hp and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. GM estimates 48 mpg in city driving and 45 on the highway.
The L comes with push-button start, A/C, cruise control, a six-speaker stereo and (gasp) no USB ports. The LS adds a 7-inch touchscreen, a stereo with USB inputs and a rearview camera. The LT and Premier editions bring bigger touchscreens, eight- and nine-speaker audio, dual-zone climate control, driver memory and more. Teen Driver is optional on LT and standard on Premier.
The exterior styling is a step up from the 2015’s comparatively cartoonish mug. The Impala’s visage and sheet metal fit the smaller car well, and the Malibu adds wave-like sculpting to the side panels. The bubbly interior doesn’t quite match the more refined exterior, but it does away with the prior-generation’s cumbersome, flight deck-inspired center console.
The gas-powered 2016 Malibu will be available by year’s end. Prices will start at $22,500 for the base L and top out somewhere north of $33,000 for a Premier. Pricing is not yet available for the Hybrid, which goes into production in the spring.
Originally posted on Work Truck Online
More Vehicle Research

EV Realty Names Henrik Holland President as Charging Platform Expands
The former Prologis Mobility and Shell executive will help expand EV Realty’s truck charging business and move its power-first infrastructure model into autonomous vehicle depots and other fleet sectors.
Read More →
Mercedes-Benz Introduces Electric GLC With Up to 350 Miles of Range
The GLC 400 4MATIC Electric features an 800-volt architecture, 330-kW DC fast charging and a 94-kWh battery, along with Mercedes-Benz's new MB.OS operating system.
Read More →
Fleet Has a Talent Pipeline Problem, not a Talent Problem
Where will the next generation of fleet leaders come from, and what does the industry need to do differently to find them?
Read More →
Fleet Hacks: What Are You Still Doing Manually?
From daily recaps to repeatable workflows, fleet professionals share how AI can cut through busywork while keeping human judgment at the center.
Read More →
How One Fleet Manager Put a New Spin on Safety Training
Joe Lewis turned a pre-trip inspection lesson into an AI-assisted song, then four safety albums. The experiment also revealed why human oversight matters when AI enters driver training.
Read More →
2027 Ram ProMaster City Starts Under $40K
Ram is returning to the smaller commercial van market with a new ProMaster City aimed at delivery, service, trade, and passenger applications. Starting at $39,995 with destination, the 2027 van offers up to 2,000 pounds of towing capacity, more than 2,000 pounds of payload, and multiple cargo and passenger configurations.
Read More →
New Tariff Threats & a Leadership Change at Wheels | AF News Recap
A new tariff threat is creating more uncertainty for fleet ordering, Wheels has named a new president, and we’re asking whether certification is really worth the investment.
Read More →
Certification: What’s in It for the Fleet Manager?
From smarter fleet decisions to stronger career credibility, certification can give fleet managers knowledge they may never gain inside a single operation.
Read More →
Wheels Names Matthew Cole President
Cole brings more than 30 years of automotive and technology experience to the fleet management company, including leadership roles at Aptiv, Visteon and Johnson Controls.
Read More →
AI is changing what fleet managers can build & 849,000 vehicles recalled | AF News Recap
Fleet managers are learning how to build their own AI-powered tools, Stellantis is recalling nearly 849,000 vehicles, and this year’s Fleet Manager of the Year finalists have been revealed. Additionally, we’re examining how to identify repairs that warrant a second look. Here’s what you need to know this week.
Read More →