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 featuring FWD for confident handling.

• Starting at $7,480
• 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 great value option for budget-conscious buyers.

• Avg. market price: $7,480 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 16 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 breaking the bank. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $9,249 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 1,453 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 reliable sedan for business use without unnecessary frills. It's a solid choice for fleet buyers.

• Avg. market price: $9,114 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 953 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 without the high price tag. It offers good features at an affordable price.

• Avg. market price: $7,568 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 64 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 technology and comfort without going over budget. It’s a well-rounded option with modern features.

• Avg. market price: $9,630 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 734 listings
• View 1LT FWD listings

Limited LTZ FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LTZ FWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features at a budget price. It combines comfort and technology for a great driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $7,922 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 18 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 sporty performance with advanced tech features. It’s a great choice for those seeking a more dynamic driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $10,393 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 194 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 2LT FWD listings

Premier FWD — "Who It's For"

The Premier FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded sedan with all the bells and whistles. It offers the most premium features in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $11,013 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 260 listings
• View Premier FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LS FWD

With 1,453 active listings, the LS FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LS FWD listings

Best Budget Option — Limited LS FWD

At $7,480 avg market price — below the lineup median of $9,181 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Limited LS 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 November 5, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu cost?

Prices have softened 5.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,385 listings available, which suggests you have a decent amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu earns 4.3/5 from owners and 7.7/10 from our experts. The redesign gives you a roomier cabin, smoother ride, and a stronger feature set than older Malibus, which fits well if you want a practical midsize sedan with modern tech. Owners repeatedly point to the smooth ride, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, strong performance, and good fuel economy. The model’s Technology score of 9/10 backs up that appeal. Good and great deals make up 27.5% of listings, so there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner feedback also points to a car that feels dependable and good for everyday use, with several drivers describing it as a solid choice for a secondary car. Our experts note that the Malibu’s redesign brought a more capable package, and the efficiency-focused powertrain helps it feel like a sensible long-term commuter. Chevrolet also includes maintenance-friendly ownership support through OnStar-connected services and standard safety systems. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that build-quality concerns and acceleration complaints can show up depending on how the car was maintained and driven.

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

At 49.2% 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 had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on panel alignment, tire wear, brake feel, and how the transmission and electronics behave on a test drive. Because this model leans heavily on its tech and safety equipment, you’ll want to confirm that every feature works as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim is more basic, while higher trims add features like alloy wheels, automatic headlights, a rear-view camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED lighting, heated mirrors, power-adjustable seating, and larger wheels.
• Powertrain: You get a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic, and higher trims add a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic for stronger performance.
• Safety package: Available 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 upper trims, plus Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi.
• 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 Malibu, with keyless entry and ignition, cloth upholstery, cruise control, air conditioning, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost entry point and can live without the nicer tech and convenience upgrades.
• LS: This trim adds alloy wheels, automatic headlights, 4G connectivity, a rear-view camera, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It is the best-value choice for most shoppers because it brings the core modern features you’ll actually use every day.
• 1LT: This trim adds 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 a more polished daily driver without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims.
• 2LT: This trim upgrades to the 2.0-liter engine and 8-speed automatic, plus dual exhaust tips and 18-inch wheels. Choose it if you want the stronger powertrain and are willing to trade some efficiency for more punch.
• Premier: This is the luxury-focused trim, with leather front seats, full power adjustment, heat and ventilation, driver memory settings, remote ignition, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, a Bose stereo, extra USB ports, and a 120-volt outlet. It is the right pick if you want the most comfort and tech.

The available Driver Confidence packages add important safety tech, so check whether a used example has them before you buy.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and enough deal activity to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,385 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 49.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,482, 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 $9,482 sits slightly below last year's $10,028.

That softer pricing suggests the Malibu is still a value-oriented used buy, but it also means future sellers may need to stay competitive on price. If you buy well now, you may have less room for appreciation later, so condition and trim matter a lot. A clean history and desirable equipment can help protect your exit value when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, 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.

Chevrolet equips the Malibu with 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 crash notification, roadside assistance, and stolen-vehicle recovery support. 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 shopping a lower trim, make sure the safety package you want is actually included.

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:

• 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 49.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.45% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The redesign brings stronger engines, a roomier cabin, and major tech and safety upgrades.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,665, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,482 average.
• It builds on the redesign with a more refined, current-feeling package.

The bottom line: If you want the best value, the 2016 is the smarter buy because it captures the redesign benefits at a lower price. If you’re willing to spend more for a slightly newer example, the 2017 is the cleaner follow-up path.

How does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu compare to the 2016 Toyota Camry?

Our experts score the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 7.7/10 and the 2016 Toyota Camry 7.2/10. The Malibu gives you the stronger value proposition here, with a much lower average used price and a more modern tech story. The Camry counters with a larger engine and stronger resale-oriented market presence, but it costs more on the used market. If you want the better bargain with solid features, the Malibu is the more compelling pick.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.