Does the 2018 Malibu have adaptive cruise control?
Adaptive cruise control was not standard on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. It was available only when the car was equipped with the optional Driver Confidence Package on certain trims.
In detail, the 2018 Malibu lineup offered Adaptive Cruise Control as part of an optional Driver Confidence Package on LT and Premier models. The package commonly bundled ACC with other safety technologies such as Forward Collision Alert and, in some configurations, Front Automatic Braking, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Availability varied by market, production run, and individual vehicle, so a given Malibu may or may not have ACC even if the package was selected on some models. Always verify with the original window sticker or build sheet to confirm the exact equipment.
Availability by trim
Here's how Adaptive Cruise Control could appear across the Malibu lineup for 2018. The specifics depend on the market and the vehicle's option codes.
- LS: Adaptive Cruise Control was not offered on the base LS model.
- LT: ACC could be added through the Driver Confidence Package, along with other safety features.
- Premier: ACC could be included via the Driver Confidence Package or related safety bundles, depending on the build.
In short, Adaptive Cruise Control was not a standard feature on the 2018 Malibu; it required the Driver Confidence Package on LT or Premier, and you should verify the exact configuration for any specific used car.
How to verify on a used 2018 Malibu
To confirm ACC on a used Malibu, check the window sticker or build sheet for the Driver Confidence Package or Adaptive Cruise Control option. If the sticker is unavailable, request the RPO codes from the dealer or look up the VIN-based equipment report. The owner's manual and Chevrolet’s official documentation can also confirm how ACC functions on that specific vehicle.
What to look for on the window sticker
Look for the Driver Confidence Package or an Adaptive Cruise Control listing in the package details. The RPO code for Driver Confidence Package typically begins with "UDD" or similar in GM vehicles of that era, but codes vary by production date and market.
Testing the feature safely
When testing ACC, ensure you are in a safe, legal environment with appropriate traffic conditions. Follow the vehicle’s manual instructions for enabling ACC, set an appropriate following distance, and be prepared to take over manually at any time.
Summary
The 2018 Malibu can have Adaptive Cruise Control, but it is not a standard feature. It is available only with the Driver Confidence Package on LT and Premier trims, and you should verify the exact configuration for any given used car via the window sticker or dealer documentation.
How to tell if your Chevy has adaptive cruise control?
The icon on the dash for adaptive is different from the regular cruise icon. That's the only tell, and long pressing the cruise cancel and seeing if ``adaptive cruise mode'' text come up is the only way to see if you have it installed, other than the sticker or running the VIN/door tag for option codes.
Does the 2018 Chevy Malibu have cruise control?
Research Chevy Malibu
The Malibu is available with driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and forward automatic braking.
Does the Chevy Malibu have an adaptive cruise?
Yes, the Chevy Malibu has adaptive cruise control, but availability depends on the model year and trim level. It is either a standard feature on certain top trims or available through an optional package on other trims for recent model years.
You can watch this video to see a demonstration of how to use the adaptive cruise control in a Chevy Malibu: 54sNimnicht ChevroletYouTube · Feb 19, 2016
- Availability: For models like the 2025 Malibu, adaptive cruise control is available with the Driver Confidence & Cruise package, which is added to the 2LT trim. For the 2023 model, it's listed as an available feature depending on the trim and options.
- How it works: The system automatically adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a set following distance from the vehicle ahead. When the car in front speeds up, the Malibu accelerates to the set speed. If it slows down, the Malibu slows down as well to match, freeing the driver from constantly adjusting the pedals.
- How to activate: You can turn on the system by pressing the ON/OFF adaptive cruise control switch on the steering wheel.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Chevy Malibu?
Some Chevy Malibu models are known to have engine problems, like oil leaks, whistling, low idling, extreme vibration and even fires. Malibu engines in 2016 and 2018 models are known to experience a sudden loss of engine power from a defective accelerator position sensor.
