Hey all, right now I have a 2021 Hyundai Elantra with 45K miles, and while it’s been reliable with no major issues, I’ve always been more of a Chevy guy at heart. I have a 1986 Camaro IROC Z as a street and strip car, and I learned to drive in my late grandfather’s 2008 Chevy Malibu and my dad’s 2006 Chevy Colorado. We’ve always had good luck with GMs, so I’m thinking of trading in my Hyundai and getting a 2025 Malibu RS as my daily driver.
Has anyone driven the newer models, and if so, how do they compare to the older ones like the 2008 Malibu? Anything I should know about before making the switch? How do you like yours? Any advice or insights would be appreciated!
I recently got a 2024 Malibu 2LT for my daily commute, which is about 80 miles round trip. I’m a bigger guy, so I really appreciated the larger cabin size of the Malibu compared to Hondas or Toyotas. I opted for a few extra features since I’m in the car a lot (Bose speakers, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, etc.). It’s not the quickest car, but it wasn’t meant to be. For a daily driver, it’s solid. I’m averaging about 27 mpg overall, with 35 mpg on the highway. I can’t speak to long-term reliability yet, but based on what I’ve read, people seem to get good mileage out of them with proper maintenance.
Plus, the car looks great—mine’s black on black and I love how it stands out. If you’re looking for a reliable, spacious, and stylish daily driver, I’d recommend checking it out.
@Emerson
Thanks for sharing! I’m a bigger guy too, so the extra cabin space sounds great. I’m also not too worried about speed since I’ve got the Camaro for that. How’s the handling compared to your previous cars?
@Frankie
No problem! Handling is decent, but it’s not super sporty. The steering is light, which is good for daily driving, but don’t expect it to handle like a sports car. I think it’s perfect for commuting or long drives, though.
If you’re after speed, I’d recommend looking into a model with the 2.0L engine. I’ve got a 2017 Malibu Premier with the 2.0 turbo and it’s pretty quick when you need it to be. The 8-speed auto is way better than the CVT. No issues with mine so far, just routine maintenance. I’d recommend the 2.0 if you can find one.
@Zahari
I’ve heard good things about the 2.0! I was thinking of going for the RS, but I might need to look into the Premier if the CVT isn’t great. Thanks for the tip!
I have a 2022 Malibu, and I wouldn’t recommend it. The CVT is really clunky and jerks around at low speeds. There’s also a noticeable delay when you press the accelerator. If you’re set on a Malibu, I’d suggest going for an older model with the 2.0L engine to avoid the CVT. I had a 2014 Malibu LTZ with the 2.0 and it was way better. I also learned to drive in a 2002 Malibu, and even that car drove better than my 2022.
@Quinby
I’ve heard mixed things about the CVT… seems like I should really look for a model with the 2.0 and avoid the newer ones with the CVT. Thanks for the insight!
Yeah, I second that. The 2.0L with the 8-speed is a much better combo. I’ve got 128k miles on mine and the only major repair was replacing the turbo. Other than that, it’s been solid. If you’re looking for something fun but reliable, the 2.0L is the way to go.
If you’re used to driving older models like the 2008, you’ll notice a big difference in how the newer ones drive. They’re smoother but feel less connected to the road if that makes sense. I test-drove a 2024 and ended up sticking with my 2018 because I didn’t like the CVT. Just something to keep in mind if you’re coming from an older Chevy.
@Ash
Good to know, thanks! I was wondering how they compare to the older models like the 2008. I might need to take one for a longer test drive to see if it’s the right fit.