While certain car manufacturers gave up on the mid-size sedan segment, others remain committed to this class. GM's Chevrolet is on the list, and the model in question is called the Malibu.
Launched in 2015 and facelifted three years later, the ninth-generation Chevrolet Malibu is an old product. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean it's not popular, as the bowtie brand managed to shift over 130,000 copies last year and more than 115,000 the year before, data published by GoodCarBadCar reveals.
Obviously, the mid-size sedan segment still has a future in North America, so Chevy is reportedly planning a new generation Malibu. The next one will reportedly share many components with the Trax, Trailblazer, Buick Encore GX, and Envista, as it is rumored to utilize the same VSS-F construction. It's too early to speak about the details, including the powertrain family, but the model might not be far away.
If the latest reports are accurate, then the all-new Chevrolet Malibu might celebrate its unveiling in 2025. It might launch either as a 2025 or a 2026 model in our market, depending on when it will be presented. The current one has an MSRP of $25,000 and comes with a 1.5L turbo-four making 160 hp (162 ps/119 kW) at 5,700 rpm and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) of torque from 2,500 to 3,000 rpm and mated to a CVT.
Photo: Chevrolet
Nevertheless, despite being around a year or so away from showing its redesigned face, the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu has already been rendered. In fact, we've seen several unofficial takes on the bowtie brand's upcoming mid-size sedan these past few months, and that list has now grown to include the virtual model shared in the image gallery above, which came from vburlapp on social media.
The styling differences are obvious, as this CGI-infused machine does not look anything like its predecessor. It has a very sporty profile with a sloping roofline that makes it look more like a four-door coupe than a traditional sedan. The face is on the futuristic side, with its slender LED headlights, minimalist grille decorated by the corporate logo, and aggressive bumper with multiple air intakes.
The rendering artist behind this digital illustration has gone the extra mile by also imagining this hypothetical next-gen Chevy Malibu with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. We can see it being digitally charged via the socket mounted on the right rear quarter panel.
We cannot say that we're fans of this rendering, but then again, we don't hate it either. If anything, we think the car world needs more traditional models, regardless of whether they're partially electrified or not, and we're excited by the rumor that the GM-owned company will keep the Malibu around for at least another generation.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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