Do Chevy Malibus come with leather seats?
Yes. Leather seating has been offered on higher Malibu trims, while base models typically used cloth upholstery.
The Malibu lineup varied by year, with leather typically available on mid- to high-level trims such as LT (often through a leather or premium seating package) and Premier. Chevrolet generally described the seats as leather-appointed rather than full leather, a distinction that appeared across several model years. Importantly, GM discontinued the Malibu after the 2023 model year, so new purchases are not available; leather seats are something to look for on used models or in earlier years, with availability dependent on trim and optional packages.
Leather seating by trim and year
Leather seating availability is tied to the model year and trim level. Here is a general guide based on how Chevrolet packaged the Malibu interior over its production run.
- Base LS: typically offered with cloth seats; leather seating was not standard and not commonly available as an option.
- LT: standard cloth upholstery, with leather-appointed seating often available as part of a Premium or Leather Seating package on certain years.
- Premier: frequently featured leather-appointed seating as standard or as part of the top-tier package, with heated front seats in many years.
Because features and terminology evolved by year and regional market, always verify the exact upholstery on a specific car using the window sticker, brochure, or dealer build sheet.
How to verify leather seating when shopping for a Malibu
If you’re evaluating a used Malibu, use these steps to confirm upholstery before buying.
- Inspect the seat material in person to determine if it’s genuine leather or leatherette (leather-appointed surfaces will often feel different from full leather).
- Check the vehicle’s feature list or window sticker for mentions of "leather-appointed seating" and for heated front seats, which commonly accompany leather interiors.
- Look for the specific trim name or package on the build sheet or brochure to confirm whether leather was included.
- Ask the seller for the original window sticker or the vehicle’s documentation to confirm upholstery details.
- Compare photos of the interior with year-specific dealership images to spot variations in leather configurations.
By following these steps, you can reliably confirm whether a particular Malibu has leather seats before purchasing.
Summary
The Chevrolet Malibu offered leather seats on higher trims and via optional packages, with base models typically featuring cloth upholstery. Leather was described as “leather-appointed” in many years, rather than full leather. The model was discontinued after the 2023 model year, so leather-equipped Malibus are encountered only in used inventories or earlier production years.
