2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

Just one year after a complete redesign, the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu receives numerous enhancements designed to keep it competitive in the midsize family sedan segment. Highlights include revised styling, greater rear seat room, new infotainment and safety technologies, modified ride-and-handling characteristics, and a more fuel-efficient standard 4-cylinder engine. Prices start at just over $22,000 for the Malibu LS model and rise to more than $36,000 for a Malibu LTZ with all the trimmings.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

As shown in the photograph on the previous page, the 2014 Malibu gets a nose job this year, one designed to bring it into closer alignment with the rest of Chevy’s sedan lineup. New wheel selections are also available for 2014, and this Malibu 2LT test vehicle wears the silver 18-inch wheels that are standard for that trim level. If you’re wondering, the Malibu seen here is painted Atlantis Blue Metallic.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

Generally, the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu’s interior is rendered in decent quality materials with refined textures and tones, though the car’s silver plastic trim is a bit too obvious about its plasticity. As for the control layout, it is fairly straightforward, though some control markings are difficult to decipher at a glance. The stereo tuning knob is not much fun to use, though, requiring three steps and two different motions to switch from one station to the next.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

This 2014 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT test vehicle included an 8-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and optional leather upholstery. These features, in combination with soft-touch surfaces on the upper door panels, the door armrest, and the center console armrest, made the Malibu quite comfortable for the driver.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

For 2014, Chevrolet has added more legroom for the Malibu’s rear seat occupants. Accommodations remain snug, but four adults can ride in this midsize sedan without complaint, in part because the front seatbacks are covered in soft material that is kind to the longer-limbed members of the species. If you have younger children, be sure to install their car seats to ensure that proper clearance exists, whether you’re measuring for a reverse-facing infant seat or the kicking legs of a kindergartener riding in a booster seat.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

The 2014 Chevy Malibu is equipped with a large, 16.3 cu.-ft. trunk. The space is usefully shaped, the trunk hinges are enclosed to make sure they don’t crush luggage, and there’s a handle to use for swinging the lid shut. Space can be expanded, too, thanks to a 60/40-split folding rear seat. Note that I could slide a compact folding stroller into the trunk, wheels first. That’s a rarity.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

A new 196-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine debuts in the 2014 Malibu, equipped with automatic stop/start technology designed to improve fuel economy. The EPA says this test vehicle should have returned 29 mpg in combined driving. I averaged 23.4 mpg, with half the test miles covered on the highway. That’s 1.6 mpg short of the official 25-mpg city rating, and that’s not good.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

According to Consumer Reports, the latest Malibu is expected to return average levels of reliability over time. J.D. Power is more optimistic about the Malibu’s likely long-term dependability, and the research firm also rates the redesigned Malibu’s quality as better than average.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu demonstrates impressive crash-test ratings. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Malibu receives a 5-star overall rating, the highest one possible. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Malibu its highest rating of “Good” for the car’s performance in four key occupant protection tests. The IIHS had not assessed the 2014 Malibu in the tough new small overlap frontal-impact test as this photo gallery was compiled.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

This year, Chevrolet adds a new Side Blind Zone Alert system and a Rear Cross-Traffic Alert system to the Malibu’s optional Advanced Safety Package. They join a Forward Collision Warning system and a Lane Departure Warning system that carry over from the previous year. As standard equipment, the Malibu offers six free months of OnStar telematics service including Automatic Crash Response service and FamilyLink service, the latter an opt-in feature that allows the car’s owner to track its whereabouts from a smartphone or home computer.

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Photo Gallery

Most versions of the 2014 Chevy Malibu are equipped with a MyLink infotainment system that has been upgraded this year. New features include available hands-free texting capability and, when an iPhone is paired to the system, Siri Eyes Free technology.