Used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu for Sale nearMalibu, CA

Compare 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Trims

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more feature-rich models, all with efficient fuel economy.

• Starting at $8,260
• 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

Limited LS FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LS FWD is the pick for shoppers who want essential features without paying for extras. It's a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.

• Avg. market price: $8,560 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 22 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited LS FWD listings

LS FWD — "Who It's For"

The LS FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded vehicle with modern tech features without breaking the bank. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $9,764 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 1,389 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LS FWD listings

LS Fleet FWD — "Who It's For"

The LS Fleet FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of features and affordability without the frills. It's a practical choice for fleet buyers.

• Avg. market price: $9,333 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 997 listings
• View LS Fleet FWD listings

Limited LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LT FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a touch of luxury with leather seats without the premium price tag. It's a great value option.

• Avg. market price: $8,260 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 71 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited LT FWD listings

1LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The 1LT FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of style and technology without going over budget. It's a solid mid-range option.

• Avg. market price: $10,034 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 762 listings
• View 1LT FWD listings

Limited LTZ FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LTZ FWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features at a competitive price. It's a great option for those seeking luxury without the high cost.

• Avg. market price: $8,625 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 17 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited LTZ FWD listings

2LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The 2LT FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sportier performance with added tech features without going for the top trim. It's a well-rounded choice.

• Avg. market price: $11,042 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 234 listings
• View 2LT FWD listings

Premier FWD — "Who It's For"

The Premier FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded vehicle with all the latest features. It's the top choice for those seeking luxury.

• Avg. market price: $11,423 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 246 listings
• View Premier FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LS FWD

With 1,389 active listings, the LS FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LS FWD listings

Best Budget Option — Limited LT FWD

At $8,260 avg market price — below the lineup median of $9,548 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Limited LT FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LS FWD

The LS FWD offers excellent fuel efficiency at 27/37 MPG, making it a smart choice for daily commuting.

Browse LS FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu cost?

Prices have softened 8.24% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,476 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $9,505.04, 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 — 4.33/5 from owners and 7.67/10 from our experts point to a well-liked used sedan. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Drivers repeatedly praise the smooth ride, strong features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the fuel economy. The redesign also gives you a more spacious cabin and a more modern feel than the Malibu’s older reputation suggests.

For you, that makes this model year a sensible pick if you want a midsize sedan that feels updated and easy to live with. It fits especially well as a secondary car or a practical daily driver if you value comfort and tech over excitement.

26.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so 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.

The owner feedback points to a car that many drivers find dependable enough for everyday use, with comments that emphasize a smooth, trouble-free feel and strong long-term appeal. The expert review also highlights the Malibu’s improved efficiency and its more mature, modern redesign, which supports the sense that this is a more settled version of the car.

You should still pay close attention to maintenance records and overall condition, because used examples can vary a lot depending on how they were driven and cared for.

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 prior collision. Focus on body alignment, panel gaps, tire wear, and any signs that repairs were not completed cleanly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base L trim includes 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, MyLink, 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 more upscale equipment and stronger engine choices.
• 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 with an 8-speed automatic. The lighter body and retuned suspension help the car feel more responsive than before.
• Safety package: Two Driver Confidence packages add automatic headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and a self-parking system. Some of those features are not standard across the lineup, so trim choice matters.
• Infotainment: The Malibu offers a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch touchscreen in the Premier, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and wireless smartphone charging. The larger screen is a nicer setup, though the graphics are noted as a step down.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.5-liter engine returns 27 mpg city/37 highway/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 redesigned Malibu, with keyless entry and ignition, cloth upholstery, cruise control, air conditioning, and steel wheels. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost entry point and can live without the nicer tech and convenience upgrades.
• LS: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds alloy wheels, automatic headlights, 4G connectivity, MyLink, a rear-view camera, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you want the Malibu’s modern tech without stretching too far, this is the trim to target.
• 1LT: This trim adds a more upscale feel with LED running lights, heated mirrors, an 8-way power driver’s seat, satellite radio, rear ventilation, and 17-inch alloy wheels. It suits you if comfort and convenience matter more than keeping the price as low as possible.
• 2LT: This is the step up if you want the stronger 2.0-liter engine and the 8-speed automatic, plus dual exhaust tips and 18-inch wheels. It’s the right choice if you care more about performance and a more substantial driving feel.
• Premier: This is the most luxurious version, with leather, heated and ventilated front seats, driver memory settings, remote ignition, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, wireless charging, navigation, a Bose stereo, and an 8-inch touchscreen. Choose it if you want the most upscale Malibu experience.

The safety packages add important features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, parking sensors, and self-parking, so look for those if safety tech matters to you.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 26.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,476 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.24% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,505.04, 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 $9,639 sits slightly below last year's $10,505.

That softer pricing suggests the Malibu has become more approachable for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may face a more competitive market. If you buy well now, you may benefit from the lower entry price, but resale gains are likely to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment.

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

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

Chevrolet equips the Malibu with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, dual front knee airbags, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, and OnStar with crash notification, roadside assistance, and stolen-vehicle assistance. The available Driver Confidence packages add automatic headlights, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and self-parking.

The main caveat is that some of the most useful driver-assistance features are tied to packages rather than being standard, so you should verify the exact equipment on any used example you’re considering.

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:

• 26.0% 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 8.24% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The redesign brings two new engines, stronger tech, and a more spacious interior.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $11,048, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,639 average.
• It builds on the redesign with a more polished, well-liked balance of comfort, features, and efficiency.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2016 is the smarter buy because it delivers the redesigned Malibu at a lower average price. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2017 is the cleaner follow-up path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.