2021 Chevrolet Malibu

With its dynamic front-end styling, signature lighting, and sleek and muscular profile, the 2021 Chevy Malibu has an outstanding road presence. You can choose from five stylish trim levels — L, LS, RS, LT, and Premier. Go with the L trim for keyless entry and start, distinctive daytime running lights (DRL), an acoustic laminated windshield, 16-inch alloy wheels, power mirrors, and body-colored door handles. The RS trim features model-specific badging and grille, 18-inch wheels, body-colored mirrors, a rear spoiler, and a dual exhaust. Stepping up to the LT model gets you LED DRL, heated mirrors, 17-inch wheels, and LED taillights. The top-of-the-range Premier adds LED headlights, 19-inch wheels, chrome-accented door handles, mirrors with turn signals, and a dual-panel sunroof.

Most Malibu models are powered by a lively, fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. It's mated to a smooth-shifting continuously variable transmission. The Premier trim is powered by a punchy turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that generates 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Malibu offers a quiet, comfortable ride on the highway, while its nimble handling makes light work of maneuvering around the city streets. The standard engine returns up to 29 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, while the Premier gives you up to 22 and 32 mpg.

The Malibu's modern, well-crafted cabin offers comfortable seating for five along with ample luggage space in the 15.7-cubic-foot trunk. L models offer premium fabric seating, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, cruise control, a driver information display, air conditioning, a tilting-and-telescoping steering column, and a 12-volt power outlet. The standard Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system features an 8-inch touch-screen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, Bluetooth, and six-speaker audio. Steering wheel controls give you fingertip access to the system's functions. LS models add a Wi-Fi hot spot, while the RS has a power-adjustable driver's seat and a leather-bound steering wheel. The LT gives you remote start, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and satellite radio. The luxurious Premier trim features leather upholstery, driver memory functions, cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and wireless charging.

To help keep you in control, the Malibu features electronic stability control, traction control, and electronic grade braking. Other standard features include a rear-seat reminder, tire pressure monitoring, and a rear vision camera. All but the L trim offer Teen Driver functions, including the new Buckle-to-Drive feature. An available Driver Confidence Package for LT and Premier models offers rear park assist, lane change warning, and side blind-zone warning. Opting for the Driver Confidence Package II adds lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, a following distance indicator, frontal collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, and front pedestrian braking.