2009 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
Following a redesign in 2008, the Chevrolet Malibu changes little for 2009. The Malibu still competes against a fearsome foursome of...
Following a redesign in 2008, the Chevrolet Malibu changes little for 2009. The Malibu still competes against a fearsome foursome of midsize cars, including the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, the Nissan Altima, and the Ford Fusion. But in its favor, the Malibu rolls into 2009 with a lot of momentum, thanks to a long list of awards and acclaim garnered in 2008. It was named the North American Car of the Year, for instance, and one of Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars for 2008. It also received J.D. Power's highest quality rating for a midsize car, and excelled in frontal and side-impact crash tests. What's more, critics and drivers gave it high marks overall.
Small wonder, then, that Chevy hasn't made many changes to the Malibu for '09. Expect to see wide availability of the Malibu Hybrid, introduced in '08 and powered by an Ecotec four-cylinder, 2.4-liter Hybrid engine with a four-speed automatic Hybrid transmission. You can also expect to see Chevy pushing the non-hybrid but still fuel-efficient Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which links to a four-speed automatic transmission. Available on both the LS and LT trims, the Ecotec four-cylinder manages 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway, which nears the Hybrid engine's 24 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.
For those who prefer a bit more power, the top-of-the-line Malibu LTZ again comes with a 3.6-liter V6 that links to a six-speed automatic transmission. Naturally, fuel efficiency suffers just a bit, clocking in at 17 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
The 2009 Malibu rides on the same platform as the Pontiac G6 and the new Saturn Aura, among other GM cars. Chevy has upgraded the platform to improve the Malibu's crash performance, and added insulation to make the Malibu quieter. According to drivers and reviewers, the Malibu rides and handles well, and features such as StabiliTrak with traction control and panic brake assist help ensure a safer driving experience.
The Malibu's interior swirls and curves around the driver and passengers. Features for the entry-level LS trim are sparse (remote keyless entry comes standard), but the LT2 trim adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a remote vehicle starter, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Ultralux heated front bucket seats also come standard with the LT2.
What owners say
"The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has received mixed reviews from owners. Many appreciate its reliable performance, stylish design, and decent gas mileage, especially for family use. However, common complaints include issues with power steering, build quality, and a lack of acceleration in the four-cylinder model. Overall, it seems to be a good, practical choice for drivers seeking comfort and safety over sporty performance."
Overall performance, looks, style and safety are a big plus. Very dependable vehicle, Quiet and smooth ride. Acceleration and braking power cant be beat. Fun to drive, gets a lot of looks. Modern designing makes this a timeless classic. You will enjoy.
March 22, 2012My new 2009 Malibu LTZ is a joy to look at both inside and out. Beautifully designed and appointed. It has all the bells and whistles. From a performance standpoint it is smooth, solid, and quiet. The six speed transmission gives this car a lot of pep. You can feel and smell (yes smell) the quality of this car. GM and the Chevy engineers appear to have gotten dead serious about making the Malibu a very competative high quality mid size package. This car is the real deal. Most of my driving has been city with a few 30-50 mile highway trips. I've been averaging around 29.8 mpg since my March 18th purchase.
April 29, 2009I have the 4cyl. 6 speed. The acceleration, while not stunning, can only be explained as smooth. The brakes instill a lot of confidence. The build quality is fantastic and the ride is nothing short of luxurious. I'm still getting used to the car, so the fun factor is still increasing. It handles much better than I originally realized. The electrically assisted steering was odd at first, but I've found it to be very responsive. It carves out curves with poise for a family sedan.
February 11, 2009What owners say
Overall performance, looks, style and safety are a big plus. Very dependable vehicle, Quiet and smooth ride. Acceleration and braking power cant be beat. Fun to drive, gets a lot of looks. Modern designing makes this a timeless classic. You will enjoy.
March 22, 2012My new 2009 Malibu LTZ is a joy to look at both inside and out. Beautifully designed and appointed. It has all the bells and whistles. From a performance standpoint it is smooth, solid, and quiet. The six speed transmission gives this car a lot of pep. You can feel and smell (yes smell) the quality of this car. GM and the Chevy engineers appear to have gotten dead serious about making the Malibu a very competative high quality mid size package. This car is the real deal. Most of my driving has been city with a few 30-50 mile highway trips. I've been averaging around 29.8 mpg since my March 18th purchase.
April 29, 2009I have the 4cyl. 6 speed. The acceleration, while not stunning, can only be explained as smooth. The brakes instill a lot of confidence. The build quality is fantastic and the ride is nothing short of luxurious. I'm still getting used to the car, so the fun factor is still increasing. It handles much better than I originally realized. The electrically assisted steering was odd at first, but I've found it to be very responsive. It carves out curves with poise for a family sedan.
February 11, 2009Open two now. I drove the first one to 432,000 miles. That speaks for itself. Take care of it and it will last very well!
November 29, 2021Great little car, handles like it is on rails, has the power and acceleration of an 8 but gas mileage of a 6 clynder flashy yet family friendly easy to maintain would reccomoned this one to everyone. Great car for the money.
November 15, 200950K+ miles so far. Maintenance has been good but not stellar. The radio antenna is very weak. The key fob wore out and cost $200 to replace. There is a small rattle in the suspension on bumpy roads. On the other side the gas mileage on the road has been great. Handling is good once I replaced the lousy hankook tires. The car is quiet and comfortable even over long hauls. I have driven all over the country and it performed well.
July 28, 2013The 3.6 V6 Engine gives great performance. The car accelerates and brakes smoothly. Takes curves nice and smooth. Gas mileage is okay. Could be better. But its not horrible. It is very fun to drive especially during the summertime when its perfect to open the sunroof(which slides on top of the car for a more sporty look instead of inside of the roof like most cars).
March 27, 2012Love this car, but lacks the acceleration with the 4cyl, city mpg only 20, highway 31. Have only 1700 miles right now, hopefully performance and gas mileage get better. Seems to fall on its face when you accelerate.Back to dealer??
September 5, 2009Great car! Some have a very fair price! Have always liked this body style since it came out!
November 25, 2020The car is a good one to own as it doesn't cost much to maintain it. When you do need power, you can switch it to semi-manual and have some serious fun. Overall it is a nice car but I just want to get the 2013 now :-)
October 5, 2012Trims & specs
Base MSRP $20,825 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.4L 169 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $20,745 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.4L 169 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $21,645 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.4L 169 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $23,845 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.4L 169 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 27 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $26,020 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.4L 169 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.1 cu ft |
Combined MPG 27 | Drivetrain FWD |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$20,745 - $26,020
Current avg. market price
$5,830
Trending up by 6.6% this month
May 2026 - October 2026
