Used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu for Sale nearColumbus, OH

Compare 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Trims in Columbus, OH

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu offers a range of trims that balance affordability and efficiency, with the LS FWD being the most popular choice.

• Starting at $6,499
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Most Popular: LS FWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

LS FWD — "Who It's For"

The LS FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-equipped sedan without breaking the bank. It's the most popular trim for good reason.

• Avg. market price: $9,143 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 103 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LS FWD listings

LS Fleet FWD — "Who It's For"

The LS Fleet FWD is ideal for buyers seeking a reliable vehicle with essential features, perfect for business or personal use.

• Avg. market price: $9,143 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 78 listings
• View LS Fleet FWD listings

Limited LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LT FWD is for those who want a budget-friendly option with a few more luxury features, though availability is limited.

• Avg. market price: $6,499 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 8 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited LT FWD listings

1LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The 1LT FWD is perfect for shoppers who desire a blend of technology and comfort without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $10,864 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 83 listings
• View 1LT FWD listings

2LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The 2LT FWD caters to those who want a more powerful engine and additional luxury features, making it a solid mid-range choice.

• Avg. market price: $9,143 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 20 listings
• View 2LT FWD listings

Premier FWD — "Who It's For"

The Premier FWD is for buyers seeking a fully loaded sedan with all the latest tech and luxury features for a premium experience.

• Avg. market price: $8,597 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 26 listings
• View Premier FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LS FWD

With 103 active listings, the LS FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LS FWD listings

Best Budget Option — Limited LT FWD

At $6,499 avg market price — below the lineup median of $9,143 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Limited LT FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LS FWD

The LS FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 27/37 MPG/MPGe.

Browse LS FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu cost?

Prices have softened 4.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,432 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu earns a 4.33/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Drivers repeatedly praise the smooth ride, modern tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the good fuel economy. The redesign also gives you a more spacious cabin and a more practical everyday setup, which fits shoppers looking for a comfortable midsize sedan. At the same time, the user feedback points to some concerns about build quality and acceleration, so it works best if you want a well-equipped daily driver rather than a sporty one.

With 26.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Owners rate it 4.33/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a car that many drivers find dependable enough for everyday use, with a smooth ride and features that make it easy to live with over time. The expert evaluation also describes the Malibu as a more convincing and better-equipped version of the nameplate, with improved efficiency and a stronger overall package than before. The performance notes add that the redesigned car benefits from a lighter body and a retuned suspension, which supports a more composed driving experience.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that some examples may show the build-quality and acceleration complaints mentioned by owners, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

At 51.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with a price that looks unusually low. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s features and electronics work as expected. Because this model year was redesigned, it’s worth making sure the car still feels tight, quiet, and well put together on a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base L trim keeps things simple with keyless entry and ignition, cloth upholstery, cruise control, air conditioning, and 16-inch steel wheels, while the LS adds alloy wheels, automatic headlights, 4G connectivity, the MyLink system, a rear-view camera, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 1LT adds LED running lights, heated mirrors, an 8-way power driver’s seat, satellite radio, rear ventilation, and 17-inch alloy wheels, while the 2LT and Premier bring the more upscale equipment and larger wheels.
• Powertrain: The base 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pairs with a 6-speed automatic and is tuned for efficiency, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the 2LT and Premier adds much stronger acceleration and an 8-speed automatic. The smaller engine is rated at 27 mpg city/37 highway/31 combined, while the larger engine returns 22/33/26.
• Safety package: Two Driver Confidence packages add automatic headlights, parking sensors front and rear, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and a self-parking system. Some of those features are package-dependent, so don’t assume every used Malibu has them.
• Infotainment: The LS uses a 7-inch touchscreen with MyLink, rear-view camera support, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the Premier upgrades to an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, a color driver information display, a Bose stereo, extra USB ports, and a 120-volt outlet. Wireless smartphone charging is also available on higher trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine is rated at 27 mpg city, 37 highway, and 31 combined, while the 2.0-liter turbo returns 22/33/26.

Which 2016 Chevrolet Malibu trim should I buy?

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is offered in 5 trim levels: L, LS, 1LT, 2LT, Premier.

Here's the short version:

• L: This is the simplest Malibu, so it makes sense only if you want the lowest-cost entry point and can live without the nicer convenience and tech upgrades found higher up the range.
• LS: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the MyLink system, a rear-view camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, alloy wheels, and automatic headlights without jumping too far up in price.
• 1LT: Choose this if you want a more polished daily driver, since it adds LED lighting, heated mirrors, a power driver’s seat, satellite radio, rear ventilation, and larger wheels.
• 2LT: This is the better pick if you want stronger performance, because it upgrades to the 2.0-liter turbo engine and 8-speed automatic while also adding dual exhaust tips and 18-inch wheels.
• Premier: This is the most luxurious Malibu, with leather, heated and ventilated front seats, memory settings, remote ignition, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, wireless charging, navigation, and the upgraded audio and display setup.

The safety-package trims are worth seeking out if you want blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and parking sensors.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 26.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,432 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,500, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu's resale value?

The current average of $9,748 sits slightly below last year's $10,193.

That softer pricing suggests the Malibu has already absorbed some of its depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you shop carefully now, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss later because the market is already pricing in the model year’s age and history. Stronger-equipped examples and cleaner-condition cars should be easier to move than rougher ones.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.33/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu safe?

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu earns five-star ratings overall from NHTSA, with a four-star rollover rating.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, dual front knee airbags, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, and OnStar with automatic crash notification, roadside assistance, and remote services. The available Driver Confidence packages add automatic headlights, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and a self-parking system. That package content is a major reason to look for a better-equipped example if safety tech matters to you.

Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 26.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The redesign brought two new engines, stronger tech, and more safety features.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,744, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,748 average.
• It builds on the redesign with a more refined, well-rounded family-sedan feel.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2016 is the smarter buy because pricing has softened and the redesign gives you the modern Malibu experience without paying next-year money. If you’re willing to spend more for a slightly newer example, the 2017 is the cleaner alternative, but price-sensitive shoppers should focus on the 2016 and look for a well-kept, well-equipped trim.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.