2027 Chevy Malibu Review, Engine, Configurations
2027 Chevy Malibu Review, Engine, Configurations – The 2027 Chevy Malibu marks a striking return with a complete redesign aimed at revitalizing Chevrolet’s midsize sedan lineup. This isn’t a light refresh—it’s a full-scale evolution. The exterior, platform, cabin, and tech stack have been comprehensively reworked to bring the Malibu into a new era of smart, connected, and efficient sedans. Built on GM’s latest D2XX+ architecture, the new Malibu gains better rigidity, more refined ride comfort, and increased safety performance. Its proportions are sleeker, with a lowered roofline and longer wheelbase, giving it a sporty silhouette that blends sophistication with modern edge. 2027 Chevy Malibu Review
2027 Chevy Malibu Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
The 2027 Chevy Malibu is bold from every angle, adopting a more expressive design language that reflects Chevrolet’s shift toward premium styling. Up front, the grille is larger and sharper, flanked by slim matrix LED headlamps with sequential turn signals. The lower fascia has a wide-mouth air intake with integrated aero blades, while the hood features subtle character lines that emphasize a more muscular stance. The fastback-style roofline flows seamlessly into the rear deck, where new wraparound LED taillights and a clean bumper treatment complete the look.
Wheel options now range from 17-inch standard alloys up to 20-inch diamond-cut performance wheels on RS and Premier trims. Chrome detailing is reserved for the upper-end trims, while the RS version carries a blacked-out aesthetic with smoked lighting elements, gloss-black mirrors, and a subtle rear spoiler. New exterior colors like Midnight Bronze Metallic, Arctic Blue Tintcoat, and Summit Red give buyers more personalization choices. The Malibu’s updated proportions also help with aerodynamics, achieving a drag coefficient as low as 0.26, one of the best in its class.
Inside, the transformation is even more pronounced. The cabin ditches the previous conservative layout for a driver-focused digital environment. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster joins a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, both housed in a unified floating display panel. Soft-touch materials cover most of the dashboard, center console, and doors, with optional contrast stitching and ambient lighting. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard on higher trims, while rear passengers benefit from more legroom and USB-C ports. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-In are standard across the lineup, and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system rounds out the tech-forward package.
Design changes go beyond just aesthetics. The 2027 Malibu now incorporates active aerodynamic elements, including a shuttered front grille and underbody air channels that reduce drag and improve highway fuel economy. The new body shell features a mix of ultra-high-strength steel and aluminum to reduce weight without compromising structural integrity. Chevrolet has also focused on noise isolation, adding acoustic glass, sound-deadening materials in the firewall, and new subframe bushings that reduce vibration from the road. The overall result is a quieter, smoother driving experience that feels class-above.
From a digital standpoint, the 2027 Malibu brings a higher level of connectivity and vehicle intelligence. It supports GM’s latest Ultifi software architecture, enabling over-the-air updates, remote diagnostics, and customizable driver profiles. This digital chassis forms the basis for a more refined driving experience, integrating features like adaptive cruise, dynamic steering assistance, and multi-mode driving personalization. Chevy has positioned the new Malibu not just as a commuter’s choice, but as a daily driver with real-time adaptability and long-haul comfort. 2027 Chevy Malibu Review
2027 Chevy Malibu Specs
Engine & Performance
The 2027 Chevy Malibu offers two revised engine options, each optimized for smooth power delivery and improved fuel economy. The base engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 paired with a new-generation CVT, delivering 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This setup focuses on quiet, efficient commuting while offering refined acceleration for everyday driving. A new low-inertia turbo and revised transmission tuning have eliminated the “rubber band” feel often associated with CVTs, resulting in more direct throttle response.
For buyers looking for more spirited performance, the RS and Premier trims come equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 mated to a reworked 9-speed automatic transmission. Output is rated at 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, making the new Malibu feel brisk without compromising efficiency. The 9-speed shifts are crisp, especially in sport mode, and paddle shifters now come standard on the upper trims. Engineers have revised the suspension geometry and added a new dynamic ride damping system that adjusts shock stiffness in real time based on road conditions and drive mode selection.
All Malibu trims feature front-wheel drive, but Chevrolet has improved cornering grip through new chassis reinforcements and a stiffer rear torsion beam. Steering has been recalibrated for more linear input and better on-center feel, giving the Malibu a planted demeanor even at highway speeds. Braking performance has also improved with larger rotors and electronic brake force distribution. While not marketed as a performance sedan, the 2027 Malibu has evolved into a surprisingly engaging drive—precise, smooth, and confident under all road conditions.
2027 Chevy Malibu Fuel Economy
Fuel economy in the 2027 Chevy Malibu sees meaningful gains thanks to both weight savings and smarter engine tuning. The 1.5-liter turbo model achieves an estimated 31 MPG city and 41 MPG highway, a best-in-class figure for non-hybrids in the midsize sedan segment. The more powerful 2.0-liter variant posts 26 MPG city and 37 MPG highway, still competitive among rivals with larger displacement engines. Auto start-stop is standard but has been refined to activate with less vibration and quicker restart. A regenerative braking feature has been introduced for coasting deceleration, even on non-hybrid models.
2027 Chevy Malibu Safety Features
The 2027 Malibu comes equipped with Chevy Safety Assist 2.0 as standard across the lineup, introducing a more comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids. Features include forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and IntelliBeam auto high beams. New for 2027 is intersection collision assist, which helps prevent side-impact crashes at turns, and evasive steering assist, which gently guides the driver away from a detected obstacle if a collision is imminent.
Optional on higher trims or bundled in the Driver Confidence III package is GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system, which brings hands-free highway capability to the Malibu for the first time. Super Cruise uses LiDAR map data, radar sensors, and a driver attention system to allow hands-free operation on compatible highways. Parking assist features include automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, front and rear sensors, and a 360-degree camera on Premier models. The vehicle also includes rear cross-traffic braking and blind spot alert as standard equipment.
Passive safety has been upgraded too. A high-strength safety cage surrounds the cabin, and the vehicle now comes with 10 standard airbags, including a front-center airbag for side-impact mitigation. OnStar Safety & Security, including automatic crash response and emergency services, is included for the first three years. Rear seat reminder and buckle-to-drive features ensure child safety is prioritized. The 2027 Malibu has already passed internal testing for NHTSA 5-star ratings and is expected to score well in IIHS evaluations as well. 2027 Chevy Malibu Review
2027 Chevy Malibu Release Date & Price
Pricing is aimed to remain aggressive. The base LS model starts at approximately $26,500, while the LT sits around $29,000. The RS trim, with sporty styling and the larger engine, will begin near $32,000, and the Premier tops out around $36,500 with every option included. Optional packages like the Technology Package, Premium Driver Assist, and Sport Appearance Package can push the price above $38,000 when fully loaded. Despite this, the Malibu remains one of the best-equipped and most affordable sedans in its category.
The 2027 Chevy Malibu is set to debut officially at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2026. Production begins in Q1 2027 at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, with dealership deliveries expected by March 2027. Pre-orders will open shortly after the debut, with early buyers gaining access to exclusive color options and free connectivity services for the first 12 months. Chevrolet expects the new Malibu to reclaim its place as a volume leader in the shrinking sedan segment by focusing on refinement, tech, and strong value.
