Used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu for SaleNationwide

Compare 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Trims

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, all with efficient FWD performance.

• Starting at $7,895
• 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 at a budget-friendly price without paying for luxury extras.

• Avg. market price: $8,647 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 20 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 sedan with modern tech features without stepping up to a higher price point.

• Avg. market price: $9,626 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 1,439 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 practical sedan with fleet-oriented features without sacrificing comfort.

• Avg. market price: $9,877 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 1,030 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• 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 breaking the bank.

• Avg. market price: $7,895 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 56 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 stylish sedan with a sunroof option without opting for the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $9,902 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 781 listings
• View 1LT FWD listings

Limited LTZ FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LTZ FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded sedan with premium features without going for the top-tier model.

• Avg. market price: $8,592 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 24 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 the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $10,069 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 228 listings
• View 2LT FWD listings

Premier FWD — "Who It's For"

The Premier FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully equipped sedan with all the latest features without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $11,825 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 247 listings
• View Premier FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LS FWD

With 1,439 active listings, the LS FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LS FWD listings

Best Budget Option — Limited LT FWD

At $7,895 avg market price — below the lineup median of $9,751 — 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 at 27/37 MPG.

Browse LS FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu cost?

Prices have softened 6.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,437 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare on price and condition.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu earns 4.33/5 from owners and 7.67/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Drivers repeatedly praise the smooth ride, modern tech, and strong fuel economy. The Malibu also fits well if you want a comfortable, feature-rich midsize sedan with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, especially if you value everyday usability over a sporty personality. At the same time, some owners note build-quality concerns and modest acceleration, so it makes the most sense if you want comfort and efficiency first.

Only 27.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may still require quick action.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience for many drivers, with comments that it feels like a solid choice for a secondary car. The expert commentary also emphasizes that the Malibu was redesigned to be more efficient and better suited to modern use, which supports the sense that it’s built to be a practical long-term commuter. It also benefits from a broad set of standard safety systems and OnStar support, which can add peace of mind over time.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that condition can vary, so you should pay close attention to maintenance history and how well the car has aged.

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

At 52.3% 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 thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on signs of uneven wear, repair quality, and whether the features you care about still work properly. Because this model year was redesigned, it’s especially worth checking that the car feels tight, quiet, and well assembled on a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base L trim keeps things simple with 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, the MyLink infotainment system, a rear-view camera, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, so it’s the first trim that feels fully modern.
• Powertrain: The base 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic makes 160 hp and 184 lb-ft and returns 27 mpg city/37 highway/31 combined. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder in the 2LT and Premier makes 250 hp and 260 lb-ft, uses an 8-speed automatic, and returns 22/33/26.
• 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 on every trim, so verify exactly what the car has.
• Infotainment: The LS uses a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Premier upgrades to an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a 9-speaker Bose stereo, and additional USB ports plus a 120-volt outlet. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the tech story here, but the system can be finicky with some phones.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 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 Malibu, but it’s mostly about basic transportation. You get the core comfort and convenience features, yet it lacks the tech and camera equipment that make the car feel current.
• LS: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 7-inch touchscreen, rear-view camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic headlights, and alloy wheels. If you want the Malibu’s modern tech without stretching too far, this is the one 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 you want more comfort and polish than the LS.
• 2LT: This is the step up if you want the stronger 2.0-liter turbo engine and 8-speed automatic, plus 18-inch wheels and dual exhaust tips. It’s the right pick if you care more about performance and stronger passing power.
• Premier: This is the most luxurious Malibu here, with leather, heated and ventilated front seats, memory settings, remote ignition, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, wireless charging, navigation, and the upgraded audio system. Choose it if you want the most comfort and the richest feature set.

The safety packages add meaningful equipment, but you should confirm whether a given car has the Driver Confidence features you want.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting every car to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 27.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,437 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,505, 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 $9,739 sits slightly below last year's $10,410.

That decline suggests the Malibu has become more affordable for buyers, which can help you if you’re shopping now but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. The current pricing also shows that the market has already adjusted downward, so future resale will likely depend more on condition, mileage, and equipment than on broad market momentum. Well-kept examples with desirable features should still hold attention better than stripped or heavily worn cars.

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 a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four-star ratings in rollover and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests.

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

The Malibu includes a standard safety suite 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 automatic crash notification, roadside assistance, and remote services. Available Driver Confidence packages add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, parking sensors, and self-parking assistance. That said, some of those advanced features are trim-dependent, so you should verify the exact equipment on any used example.

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:

• 27.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.45% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The redesign brings stronger engines, more space, and a big tech upgrade.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,972, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,739 average.
• It refines the redesign into a more polished all-around package.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2016 is the smarter buy because it delivers the redesigned Malibu experience at a lower price. If you’re willing to spend more for a slightly more refined follow-up, the 2017 is the secondary path to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.