2012 Chevrolet Malibu Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Chevrolet Malibu overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Malibu, and includes Chevy Malibu safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The 2012 Chevy Malibu is a midsize family sedan with good looks and a compelling value equation. Key competitors include the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. This will be a great year to drive a bargain on a Malibu, because Chevy’s family car is getting a complete redesign for 2013.

As the Malibu enters its final year before a complete redesign, Chevy trickles equipment down to lower trim levels in the form of an LS Uplevel Package, Sunroof packages for the LT model, and V6 packages for the LT and LTZ models. Speaking of V6 engines, this might be your last chance to get a midsize Chevy with six cylinders, as the redesigned 2013 Malibu is currently planned to offer only four-cylinder powertrains.

As the current Malibu enters its final year on the market, it is offered in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels. The Malibu LS is decently equipped, featuring air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power mirrors, a power driver’s seat height adjuster with power lumbar support, cruise control, and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The stereo includes a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio input jack, and OnStar 9.0 telematics is also standard, equipped with six free months of service including Automatic Crash Notification and Turn-by-Turn Navigation. Get the new LS Uplevel Package, and the Malibu includes Bluetooth, floor mats, audio controls on the steering wheel, and a compact spare tire with a jack. Yes. You read that right. A spare tire and a jack are optional.

Step up to the popular LT model and you get 17-inch aluminum wheels, a USB port for the entertainment system, and ambient cabin lighting. That’s a short list of upgrades, but the main reason for getting the LT is to access a longer list of optional equipment, including a six-way power front seats, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, UltraLux upholstery, a power sunroof, remote engine starting, a premium sound system, a 110-volt three-prong power outlet, and other features.

The Malibu LTZ is the top-of-the-line model. Leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a six-way power front passenger’s seat, automatic climate control, a Bose audio system, a power sunroof, a rear window sunshade, premium floor and trunk mats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and remote engine starting. The LTZ is set apart from other Malibus by its mesh grille treatment, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and LED taillights.

All Malibus come standard with a 169-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with TAPshift manual gear-change capability. This engine is expected to get 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

A 3.6-liter V6 engine making 252 horsepower is available as an option on well-equipped Malibu LT and LTZ models. It, too, is bolted to a TAPshift six-speed automatic, and EPA fuel economy ratings are 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. If you want a Malibu with a V6, 2012 might be your last chance. The redesigned 2013 Malibu is currently scheduled to receive four-cylinder engines only.

Six airbags, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, and a StabiliTrak traction and stability control system come standard on every 2012 Malibu. The Malibu is also equipped with OnStar 9.0, which features Automatic Crash Response. This feature can send rescuers to the Malibu’s exact location in the event of an airbag deployment, even if the car’s occupants are unable to respond to the OnStar operator. The six-month free subscription also includes Emergency Services, Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Roadside Assistance, and hands-free calling.

Malibu safety doesn’t stop with the standard features list. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Malibu a 4-Star overall crash-test rating, with the car earning a 4-Star rating in the frontal impact test, a 5-Star rating in the side impact test, and a 4-Star rollover resistance rating. Remember, these scores are based on the NHTSA’s new, stricter guidelines. Furthermore, last year’s Malibu was called a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which has not rated the 2012 model as this review is written.

As for dependability, well, Consumer Reports expects the Malibu to return average reliability over time. J.D. Power and Associates has not rated the 2012 Malibu, but in 2011 predicted that long-term dependability would prove to be better than average.

Good looking, safe, well equipped, and reasonably reliable, the 2012 Chevy Malibu remains a compelling choice in the crowded midsize sedan class. Despite the fact that a complete redesign is on the way for 2013, we think the current Malibu is a sound vehicle, and we bet consumers can drive a hard bargain as Chevy dealers clear out inventory in advance of the all-new 2013 Malibu.

By Christian Wardlaw