The 2023 Chevrolet Malibu is heading toward an uncertain future. Now in its seventh year after a 2016 redesign, it’s one of the oldest cars on the market. It’s also the last midsize domestic car standing as Ford, Stellantis, and even other GM brands move away from the segment.

But while the midsize car market has dwindled, most of the remaining players are at the top of their game. Cars like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Camry offer a lot for buyers and leave the Malibu with very stiff competition.  

Yet it can compete with its low price. Leave the options off, and you can get a decently equipped car for less money than its competitors. The problem comes when you add features and safety equipment, some of which are standard on other cars. Check a few boxes for option packages, and Malibu’s price advantage is eliminated.        

Does Chevrolet Make a 2023 Malibu? 

According to Chevrolet, the Malibu could be on its way to being discontinued, but it is available as a 2023 model on Chevrolet’s website. This year Chevrolet dropped the 2.0-liter four-cylinder, making the 160 hp 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder the only engine. Four trim levels are available, starting with the entry-level LS, mid-level RS and LT, and the top-level LT2.   

The 2023 Malibu LT starts at just under $24,000. You get a well-equipped car with a good list of standard equipment for that price, but safety features like automatic emergency braking or blind-spot monitoring are not available. To get those items, you have to tack on option packages. 

The mid-level Malibu LT builds off the LS model and begins at about $27,000 and adds things like satellite radio, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and remote start. 

Topping the range is the Malibu 2LT. Here’s where you get leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, wireless charging, and a Bose audio system. It’s not cheap at $34,000, the starting point of many well-equipped entry-level premium cars.  

2023 Chevrolet Malibu Specs and Performance

Edmunds recorded the following specs for the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, which should be unchanged for 2023: 

Dimensions: 

• Wheelbase: 111.4 in
• Length: 194.2 in
• Width: 73.0 in
• Height: 57.9 in

Engine/Drivetrain Specs: 

• 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
• Horsepower: 160 hp
• Torque: 184 lb-ft
• Transmission: Front-wheel drive CVT automatic 
• Fuel Economy: 29/36 MPG

Is a Chevrolet Malibu Worth Buying? 

U.S. News summed up its 2022 review with, “The Chevrolet Malibu sits near the back of our midsize car rankings. It has an outdated interior design, and it struggles to match the power and comfort that you’ll find with class rivals.” The company has not bothered to review the 2023 Malibu, which would likely sink further in its rankings.

However, U.S. News isn’t the only company that hasn’t covered the 2023 Malibu. Edmunds said much of the same things in 2022, adding, “the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is the only new family car that still wears a bow-tie badge, and it’s now a 7-year-old design with no direct replacement in sight. The 2022 Malibu is also the only midsize sedan made by a traditional domestic automaker, though numerous rivals are also built in the United States.”

From my standpoint, there are three things the Chevy Malibu has going for it: It’s got a cheap base price. It’s got a storied name that goes back 50 years. And it’s the last midsize car sold by an American company. It’s not a bad car. But compared to the Kia K5 or Hyundai Sonata, both of which are newer, have more features, and are comparably priced, the Malibu is not a good car either. That said, if you are set on buying a brand new Chevrolet Malibu, check out the 2022 model. Dealers have plenty of inventory and should be looking to deal.