The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is a comfortable commuter vehicle that you can rely on. Although the mid-size car is somewhat lacking in technology and performance packages, it’s a decent family car that will fit most buyers’ budgets.
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2017 Chevrolet Malibu: A Quick Overview
- Chevrolet’s 2017 Malibu has five trim levels, with the base L going for around $16,000, and its top-tier model can be found for less than $24,000 on the used car market.
- There are only three engine options available with the Malibu. It doesn’t offer much in terms of performance or fuel economy unless you choose the Hybrid or Premier options.
- Chevy has designed the Malibu to be a comfortable and safe ride for everyone in the car, scoring high marks with both the NHTSA and IIHS.
- The 2017 Malibu won’t cost much to maintain. There aren’t many common problems with the car and maintenance bills are typically cheap, sitting at just $613 per year.
- When compared to three of its main competitors, the Malibu is just okay. Many of the other midsize sedans out there come with the same bells and whistles at a lower price.
2017 Chevy Malibu is Offered in Five Unique Trims with Various Creature Comforts and Enhanced Exterior Aesthetics
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is available in five trim levels with more creature comforts added at every step. To start the Malibu range, we have the L moving on to the LS, LT, Hybrid, and the top-of-the-line Premier.
Malibu L is as Base as the Model Comes, Mostly Reserved for Fleet Vehicles
The base model 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is named the L but don’t be fooled, it is far from luxurious. Standard interior features on the Malibu L include cloth seating for five, a six-speaker audio system, and OnStar emergency response. The Malibu L is also sporting automatic halogen headlights, 16-inch steel wheels, and keyless entry.
Think of the Malibu L as the sedan version of the standard white Chevrolet work truck. There aren’t a lot of fancy features but it will get the job done. The L trim level makes a great fleet vehicle if you need multiple cars for your business.
Malibu LS Offers More Creature Comforts, Including a 7″ Touchscreen, Apple CarPlay
The LS adds features that make the Malibu feel more like a modern sedan, including a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment center that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A WiFi hotspot is also included on the LS in addition to a backup camera and Teen Driver mode. On the outside, the Malibu LS ditches the steel police car wheels for 16-inch alloys and laminated windows.
Malibu LT Adds 17″ Wheels, Eight-way Power Driver’s Seat, and LED Runnings Lights
The upgrades found on the Malibu LT are mostly cosmetic including 17-inch alloy wheels and five new color options. On top of what you get with the LS, a few other upgrades can be found if you look hard enough. Those features are XM satellite radio and automatic folding side mirrors, LED daytime running lights, a body-colored antenna, and an eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, and more.
Malibu Hybrid is Similarly Equipped to the LT but with Dual Electric Motors for Maximum Fuel Efficiency
The 2017 Malibu Hybrid is similarly equipped as the LT model but there are a couple of things that set it apart. First, up the Malibu Hybrid is driven by a 1.8L engine, coupled with twin electric motors. While this Malibu can’t go far on electricity alone, it does improve fuel economy substantially. The second thing you should be aware of about the Hybrid is that you lose some cargo space to make way for the battery pack.
Malibu Premier Features Most Modern Tech Features, More Potent 2.0L Turbo Engine
If you want the best 2017 Malibu Chevrolet has to offer then you want the Premier. On top of all the standard features of the LT, the Malibu Premier is equipped with the top-tier 2.0L turbocharged engine. Other key amenities of the Premier trim are dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Pricing Ranges from $16,000 for a Base L to as Much as $24,000 for a Top-of-the-Line Premier Trim
The price range for used 2017 Chevrolet Malibu’s starts around $16,000 for the run-of-the-mill L and goes up to around $24,000 for the high-end Premier. With $18,500 in your pocket, you can buy a well-equipped LS, LT, or even a Hybrid model with around 60,000 miles and some optional extras.
Chevy’s CPO Program Adds Longer Warranty and Roadside Assistance
When you purchase a 2017 Malibu, consider your warranty options. If you buy the car from a certified Chevrolet dealer, you can get Chevy’s certified pre-owned coverage. This makes sure that the vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and reconditioned. It also extends the manufacturer warranty to six years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Chevrolet CPO also covers Roadside Assistance and a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
2017 Chevy Malibu is Offered with Three Engine Options, Ranging from a Fuel-efficient Hybrid to a 250-hp 2.0L
There are a total of three power options for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The most common engine is the turbocharged 1.5L found in the L, LS, and LT models which produces 163 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
Malibu Hybrids are powered by a 1.8L gasoline engine mated to twin electric motors with a combined output of 182 hp and 277 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2.0L turbocharged engine is only available at the Premier trim level and offers 250 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Both the 1.5L and Hybrid are equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions while the 2.0L uses a nine-speed automatic to improve performance.
No Matter the Engine, the 2017 Malibu Delivers Impressive Fuel Economy, Boasting up to 46 mpg Combined in the Hybrid
The fuel economy with the Chevy Malibu is comparable to its competitors. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Malibu L, LS, and LT models, get 30 mpg combined city and highway. The 2.0L engine in the Premier trades fuel economy for performance and gets 26 mpg combined. Of course, the Malibu Hybrid offers the best fuel economy with 46 mpg combined. All of these figures are right on par with how Chevrolet says the Malibu should perform.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Offers Average Driving Performance, with 2.0L Engine Being the Most Spirited (and Fun) of the Bunch
Admittedly, the 2017 Malibu doesn’t offer a lot when it comes to performance. Drivers who are looking for more exciting performance can opt for the Malibu Premier or may want to consider one of its higher-performance competitors. If you are looking for a smooth, composed ride, the Malibu is the way to go.
Autoblog’s David Gluckman plainly stated, “All models of the new Malibu are extremely quiet, with continued use of dual-pane glass to keep things hushed and relaxed. That attitude extends to the handling, it’s neither a barge nor a sports car, instead hitting an everyman sweet spot that should appeal to most buyers, which is to say not enthusiasts.” In essence, it’s good but not great.
Cargo Space & Dimensions Show 2017 Chevy Malibu to Be a Spacious Midsize Sedan with a Comfortable Cabin
The 2017 Malibu will fit in most parking spaces and garages. It has a length of 193.8 inches, is 73 inches wide, and sits 57.6 inches high. If you’re looking for something with a spacious trunk, what the Malibu has to offer is decent. Most models will provide 15.8 cu. ft. of cargo space.
You can also fold the back seats down partially to haul large items, but they will not lay completely flat. With the hybrid model, however, you only have about 12 cu. ft. of trunk space because that is where the car’s battery pack is stored. A few cubic feet of storage space is nothing when you are single-handedly saving the ozone though.
2017 Chevy Malibu is a Safe Car, Scoring Top Marks from Both the NHTSA and IIHS
When you’re looking to purchase a car, whether it is old or new, you should research the vehicle’s safety ratings. Luckily for you, we’ve done the digging. The NHTSA gave the 2017 Malibu five out of five stars for safety. Its overall crash rating is five stars as well. IIHS ratings were good too, giving the vehicle mostly “Good” markings for its crashworthiness. The only safety feature that was marked as poor was the car’s headlights.
Speaking of safety features, the 2017 Chevy Malibu doesn’t have a lot of safety technology. Perks like a rearview video system, forward collision warnings, and lane departure warnings are all optional extras on the vehicle. The safety features that come as standard include seat belts, airbags, and LATCH, which have been standard in most vehicles for decades. However, the lack of additional bells and whistles hasn’t hurt the safety of the car overall.
Technology Features in the 2017 Malibu are Scarce on L Trim but Quickly Add Up on LT Models and Above
Chevrolet was pretty stingy with its technology on the lower trims of the 2017 Malibu. The list of standard features across all models can be summed up as Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, keyless entry, and an OnStar emergency response system.
Moving to the LS and LT models adds a seven-inch Chevy MyLink display, 4G LTE WiFi Hotspot, Teen Driver technology, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Malibu Premier models are equipped with the most technology out of the box. The Premier provides drivers and passengers with heated seats, dual climate control, remote start, and a Bose sound system. Not to mention, it also comes with all of the optional safety features like forward collision warning and a rearview video system.
2017 Malibu Offers 10 Exterior Colors and Several Matching Interior Schemes, from Basic Silvers to Attention-grabbing Cajun Red
In 2017, Chevy offered the Malibu in 10 exterior colors, including the basic Summit White. Metallic colors consist of Arctic Blue, Autumn Bronze, Blue Velvet, Mosaic Black, Nightfall Gray, Pepperdust, and Silver Ice. Tri-coats include Cajun Red and Iridescent Pearl.
You also have a few different interior color combinations to choose from. Again, depending on the trim level you choose, your options will vary.
Dark Atmosphere/Loft Brown is found in LT, Hybrid, and Premier, and Jet Black is on all models except the L.
2017 Malibu is a Reliable Car with an Average Annual Maintenance Cost of just $613
How reliable is the 2017 Chevy Malibu? J.D. Power gave the Malibu four out of five for its reliability. It also ranked well overall for a total cost of ownership, which brings us to the maintenance costs.
According to Repair Pal, the annual repair cost of a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is only $613. This includes things like your regular oil change and other routine maintenance. The average repair cost if something goes wrong with your 2017 Malibu is between $551 and $674.
When it comes to consumers who actually bought the car, reviews are mixed. Some drivers seem to run into a lot of problems with the car early on. Others find it wildly reliable and will never own anything but a Chevy again. When it comes to reliability, the experts say you’re safe when it comes to owning the 2017 Malibu.
Known Issues and Recalls for 2017 Chevy Malibu Include a Shaky Drive System and Water Leaks
Repair Pal reported the most common issue with the 2017 Chevy Malibu to be a problem with the fuel gauge. The check engine light comes on as a result. Consumer Reports had several Malibu owners report other issues as well. Transmission problems can cause the gear shift lever not to work, the drive system vibrates, and water leaks are common with the Malibu. Other less-noted problems included issues with keyless entry, climate control systems, and in-car electronics.
There has been four safety recalls on the 2017 Malibu. In August 2021, GM recalled numerous Malibus because of an issue with the rear seat belts. Before this, two recalls involved the airbag system not working or not being installed properly.
2017 Chevy Malibu vs. Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and VW Passat
The Chevy Malibu faces steep competition, as just about every car manufacturer makes a vehicle in its class, each offering a little something that sets it apart from the next. Here is how the 2017 Malibu stacks up when compared to three of its top competitors.
2017 Toyota Camry Falls Short of Malibu with Lower MPG, Fewer Creature Comforts
When it comes to midsized cars, the Toyota Camry is the main contender. You can get the Camry for a bit less money, but it will cost you in other ways. The Toyota is less fuel-efficient and has even fewer bells and whistles to offer than the Malibu. It is less spacious and generally less pleasant to drive as well. However, if you aren’t interested in anything more than a commuter car to get you from point A to point B, the Camry is a fair option.
2017 Honda Accord is a Tough Competitor but Ultimately Can’t Match the Malibu’s Performance
The Malibu and Honda Accord have both been named two of the most reliable midsize vehicles in their class for years. Neither of the base models offers much in terms of technology or other features. In fact, the base model Accord has a physical key to start and stop the car. Honda is more fuel-efficient than most of its competitors but it provides the same mpg as the Malibu. All in all, the Malibu and the Accord match pretty evenly. If you’re looking for a touch more power, Honda has a slight edge on Chevy.
2017 VW Passat is Larger than the Malibu but can’t Compete with its Fuel Economy
In terms of true competition, the Volkswagen Passat is still struggling to catch its footing in the midsize sedan market. It hasn’t kept pace with Honda or Toyota in terms of sales figures. That doesn’t stop it from being a main contender against the Malibu though. While it still doesn’t beat Chevy’s fuel economy options, the interior of the Passat is larger, nicer, and the car is generally more fun to drive.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu is Fuel Efficient, Safe, Reliable, and Scores Well with Consumers, Making it a Tough Car to Beat
At the end of the day, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu is a solid option when it comes to a midsize sedan. There just isn’t much that makes it stand out. Its fuel economy, performance, and trim level options are fairly neck-and-neck with the competition. At the same time, the Chevy is generally more expensive.
If you are looking for something that will get you to where you need to go, the Malibu is drivable. Your journey won’t be very exciting, but it will reliably get you there. With a 4.4-star rating out of five across nearly 700 reviews on Vehicle History, the 2017 Malibu is clearly a solid choice that will most likely meet all your needs.
Photos by: Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen