How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu cost?

Prices have softened 7.27% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,458 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $9,507.62, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?

Generally — the Malibu earns a 4.33/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating, which points to a well-liked used midsize sedan with broad appeal. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Drivers commonly praise the smooth ride, strong feature content, and smartphone integration, especially Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The redesign also gives you a more spacious cabin and a more modern feel than earlier Malibus, which matters if you want a practical family sedan that feels updated. At the same time, some owners mention build-quality concerns and modest acceleration, so it fits best if you value comfort, tech, and efficiency more than outright punch.

With 24.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

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

Drivers’ feedback points to a car that can feel dependable and trouble-free in everyday use, with many owners highlighting its smooth ride and efficient operation. The expert notes also emphasize that the redesign brought more efficiency and a more modern package, which supports the case for long-term ownership if you choose carefully.

The Malibu’s stronger efficiency and updated hardware are encouraging, but used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance history and any signs of wear before committing.

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

At 51.6% 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 the car has been in a collision or shows uneven panel gaps, tire wear, or warning lights. Focus on how the car drives, how the electronics work, and whether the cabin and exterior condition match the mileage and asking price. If you’re comparing multiple listings, the cleanest example is often worth paying a little more for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim includes keyless entry and ignition, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, cruise control, air conditioning, and 16-inch steel wheels. The LS adds alloy wheels, automatic headlights, 4G connectivity, MyLink with a 7-inch touchscreen, a rear-view camera, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience features.
• 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 adds much stronger acceleration and an 8-speed automatic.
• Safety package: Two Driver Confidence packages add automatic headlights, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and self-parking capability.
• Infotainment: The Malibu offers a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch touchscreen on the Premier trim, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and wireless smartphone charging.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.5-liter engine returns 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 way into the Malibu, with the core comfort and convenience basics, but it leaves out the richer tech and convenience upgrades that make the car feel fully modern.
• LS: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a rear-view camera, MyLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• 1LT: This trim is the better pick if you want a more polished daily driver, thanks to LED lighting, heated mirrors, a power driver’s seat, satellite radio, rear ventilation, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
• 2LT: Choose this if you want the stronger 2.0-liter turbo engine and the quicker 8-speed automatic, plus larger wheels and a bigger fuel tank.
• Premier: This is the luxury-leaning choice, with leather, heated and ventilated front seats, memory settings, remote start, a heated steering wheel, an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bose audio, and wireless charging.

The safety packages are a meaningful upgrade, so prioritize a trim or listing that includes the driver-confidence features if safety tech matters to you.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 24.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,458 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.27% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,507.62, 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 $9,679 sits slightly below last year's $10,439.

That softer pricing suggests the Malibu is in a buyer-friendly phase right now, which can be a mixed signal for future resale. If you buy at a good price and keep the car in clean condition, you may be able to limit depreciation pain later. The redesign and stronger tech content help the car stay relevant, but resale will still depend heavily on mileage, condition, and trim choice.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded the 2016 Malibu a top score of five-star overall, with only the rollover test earning a lower score at four-star.

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

The Malibu includes standard 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 stolen-vehicle assistance and recovery. 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 self-parking. If you’re comparing listings, it’s worth checking whether those packages are present, since they add meaningful driver-assistance coverage.

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:

• 24.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.27% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 redesign brings a roomier cabin, stronger engines, and major tech and safety upgrades.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,983, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,679 average.
• It builds on the redesign with a more polished, refined family-sedan appeal.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2016 is the smarter starting point because it delivers the redesign benefits at a lower average price. If you’re willing to pay more for a slightly newer example, the 2017 is the cleaner follow-up choice, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2016 and shop carefully for condition and equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.