Although Chevrolet added 3.6 inches of wheelbase (1.3 inches more rear legroom) and 2.3 inches of overall length, the new Malibu is up to 300 pounds lighter than the outgoing model. More high-strength steel in the chassis is said to contribute to about 100 pounds of the weight loss. Good thing, too, as both the 1.5T and 2.0T engines are less powerful than their base-engine and engine-upgrade equivalents in the outgoing model.
Although a turbocharged, 2.0-liter I-4 was the step-up engine in the previous Malibu, the engine has a lower power rating in the 2016 model. The 2016 Malibu sedan’s turbocharged 2.0-liter is rated 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque—that’s 9 hp and 37 lb-ft less than the 2015 model. The new model, however, gains GM’s first eight-speed automatic transmission in a front-drive application. The previous car (and the new base 1.5-liter turbo) featured a six-speed automatic.
That car accelerated to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and finished the quarter mile in 14.7 seconds at 96.2 mph. In comparison, a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo reached 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and posted a 14.9-second quarter mile at 94.3 mph. The lighter weight (3,301 pounds versus 3,625) and new transmission more than make up for the lower power rating. Fuel economy for the 2016 model is EPA-rated at 22/33 mpg city/highway to the previous model’s 21/30 mpg. The 2016 Malibu 1.5T took 8.5 seconds to reach 60 mph and 16.5 seconds at 84.6 mph to finish the quarter mile.
The 2016 Malibu 2.0T stopped from 60 mph in 117 feet. That’s 10 feet less than the car with the 1.5-liter engine but 2 feet longer than the 2015 Malibu Turbo.
Although the Malibu 1.5T effortlessly kept up with traffic on surface streets and the highways around the Bay Area, the 2.0-liter turbo offers even more passing power. No surprise considering the larger engine’s 2.3-second advantage to 60 mph. In addition to its more powerful and fuel-efficient powertrains, the 2016 Malibu also rides better and is more isolated from the outside world compared to the outgoing car. Even with 19-inch wheels, the ride was smooth and any surface irregularities were well damped.
Both engines offered plenty of low- and midrange torque and even revved smoothly to higher rpms without complaint. Chevrolet also did a good job tuning the electric power steering system, which wasn’t too heavy or too light for the segment and was linear and predictable during curves and corners. In fact, the steering feel is better than that in our long-term 2016 Nissan Maxima SR sedan.
spacious interior, as well as its more efficient powertrains, but the automaker is also touting its new active safety and connectivity technology.
Unlike the outgoing model, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Premier 2.0T sedan is now a competitive choice in the popular midsize family sedan segment. Now we just need to wrangle up its competitors with more powerful engine options to see if it finally has what it takes to be a class leader.
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