Are Chevy Malibus automatic?
Yes. Modern Chevy Malibus are automatic transmissions; there are no new manual Malibu models in recent years.
Chevrolet’s Malibu has a long history dating back to the 1960s. In its early generations, manual gearboxes were available, but in the contemporary lineup and for most of its recent life, Malibus used automatic transmissions. Chevrolet ceased production of the Malibu after the 2023 model year, so there are no new Malibus for 2024 or later. If you’re shopping today, you’ll encounter used models from various years, all of which are automatic in the recent generations.
Transmission configuration across the Malibu's history
The following broad trends describe how transmissions have varied across generations of the Malibu.
- Early generations (1960s–1970s): manual transmissions were commonly offered as part of the lineup.
- 1980s–2000s: automatic transmissions became standard in most trims; manual options were rare or limited to specific markets.
- Modern generations (2010s–2023): all Malibu models used automatic transmissions, with different automatic gear counts (such as 6-, 8-, or 9-speed automatics) depending on the year and engine.
In short, today’s Malibu is not offered with a manual gearbox, and the model’s production ceased after the 2023 model year.
Current status and what it means for buyers
Here’s the latest on availability and what buyers should know when considering a Malibu purchase.
- Production ended after the 2023 model year; there is no 2024 Malibu and Chevrolet did not replace it with a direct successor in the midsize sedan segment.
- All Malibu models produced through 2023 were equipped with automatic transmissions; there were no factory-supplied manual Malibu options during that period.
- For those seeking a manual Chevrolet sedan, they would have to look to older, classic models or other GM offerings outside the Malibu line; modern Malibu buyers should expect an automatic.
Ultimately, if you want a Malibu today, you’ll be choosing from used examples with automatic transmissions, and you’ll be shopping in a market shaped by the model’s 2023 discontinuation.
Summary
The Chevy Malibu is a historically automatic-focused midsize sedan in its modern iterations, with manual options appearing only in older eras. The model was discontinued after the 2023 model year, so there are no new Malibus available. For today’s buyers, automatic transmission is the norm across the Malibu’s recent generations, and the used market represents the full scope of its transmission history.
