What is GM replacing Malibu with?
There is no direct replacement for the Chevrolet Malibu. GM discontinued the Malibu after the 2023 model year, and the brand has not announced a single successor. The company is instead leaning into SUVs and trucks, with the closest Chevrolet alternatives being the Equinox, Blazer, and Traverse.
GM's decision reflects broader market trends toward SUVs and crossovers, as sales of mid-size sedans have declined for years. While Chevrolet continues to expand its electrified SUV lineup—such as the Equinox EV and Blazer EV—there is not a sedan slated to directly replace the Malibu.
What happened to the Malibu?
In a move that underscored GM's shifting priorities, Chevrolet confirmed that the Malibu would end production after the 2023 model year. There is no one-to-one sedan replacement planned for the Malibu; instead, GM's strength in the US market now rests with larger, more versatile utility vehicles.
Closest options in Chevrolet's current lineup, which fill spaces for customers who previously chose the Malibu for seating, comfort, and highway manners, are listed below.
- Chevrolet Equinox — a compact SUV offering practical space and efficiency.
- Chevrolet Blazer — a midsize crossover with a more premium feel and sporty styling.
- Chevrolet Traverse — a three-row SUV providing more interior space for families.
These SUVs are not a direct match for a mid-size sedan, but they represent GM’s recommended alternatives for customers who previously opted for a Malibu.
Why GM is shifting away from sedans
Several factors explain why GM didn’t replace the Malibu with another sedan. The primary reasons are market dynamics, profitability, and a strategic pivot toward SUVs and trucks. Consumer demand for sedans in the United States has declined relative to crossovers and trucks, making sedans a smaller share of GM’s profitability and production volume.
- Falling sedan sales in the US, pressuring manufacturers to prioritize SUVs and trucks with higher margins.
- Product redundancy and platform consolidation, enabling GM to streamline engineering and manufacturing around fewer architectures.
- Electrification and product cadence, with GM focusing on electric crossovers that align with consumer trends and regulatory goals.
- Dealer network and service economics, where SUVs and trucks drive higher service demand and profitability.
In practice, this means no single mid-size sedan is slated to replace the Malibu. The market is moving toward larger, more versatile vehicles and electric crossovers instead.
Electrified options and future plans
Chevrolet is expanding its electrified lineup in the crossover space, with models like the Equinox EV and Blazer EV offering all-electric options that cover similar passenger capacity and cargo versatility as a Malibu, but in a different body style. These vehicles reflect GM’s commitment to electrification while acknowledging that a one-to-one Malibu successor does not exist in the current plan.
Summary
GM does not have a direct Malibu replacement. The Malibu was discontinued after the 2023 model year, and GM is leaning into SUVs and electric crossovers instead. For buyers seeking a Malibu-like utility and space, the Equinox, Blazer, and Traverse are the closest Chevrolet options, with electrified crossovers positioned to fill the broader market niche in the years ahead.
What is going to replace the Chevy Malibu?
The Chevy Malibu is being replaced by the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV at the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas, where both vehicles will be produced. The next Bolt EV is expected to be a compact SUV or crossover, not a direct sedan successor to the Malibu, and will be built on GM's Ultium platform.
This video discusses the future of Chevy in NASCAR after the Malibu discontinuation: 1:34brakehardTikTok · May 9, 2024
- Vehicle Replacement: The production line for the Malibu is being converted to build the new Bolt EV. The Cadillac XT4 will also be produced at the same plant.
- Body Style: The new Bolt EV is expected to be a compact SUV or crossover, filling a gap in Chevy's electric lineup, rather than being an all-electric sedan replacement for the Malibu.
- Production Timeline: Production of the next-generation Bolt EV is anticipated to begin in 2025 or 2026.
Is there going to be a 2025 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes, a 2025 Chevy Malibu is available, though it is the final model year for the sedan, with production ending in 2025. It is offered in four trim levels (LS, RS, 1LT, and 2LT) and is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.
- Trim levels: The 2025 Malibu is available in four trims: LS, RS, 1LT, and 2LT.
- Engine: All models feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 163 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
- Final model year: The 2025 model year will be the last for the Chevy Malibu, which will be discontinued after its long run.
- Production: Production of the 2025 Malibu began in July 2024 and is expected to conclude around July 2025, with all North American models being produced at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas City, USA.
Is there going to be a 2026 Chevy Malibu?
No, there will not be a 2026 Chevrolet Malibu; production of the current generation ended with the 2025 model year, and the vehicle was officially discontinued. Chevrolet is shifting its focus to electric vehicles, and the Malibu's role is being replaced by models like the upcoming Bolt EV.
This video explains why the Chevy Malibu was discontinued: 52sCar Dealership GuyYouTube · May 10, 2024
- The final model year for the Malibu was 2025, with production concluding in late 2024.
- Production of the Malibu has ended at the Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City.
- The discontinuation is part of General Motors' strategy to move away from gasoline-powered sedans and towards an electric vehicle lineup.
- The Chevrolet Bolt EV is set to take the Malibu's place and will be produced at the same plant.
Why is GM discontinuing Malibu?
Chevy is discontinuing the Malibu primarily because of a company-wide shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and the declining popularity of sedans in favor of SUVs and trucks. The production plant where the Malibu is built will be retooled to produce more EVs, like the next version of the Bolt.
- Shift to EVs: Chevrolet's and other sources indicate a strategic move to focus on electric vehicles. The Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas is being retooled to prepare for the return of the Bolt EV.
- Declining sedan demand: There has been a significant decline in consumer demand for sedans as many buyers have moved toward larger, more profitable vehicles like SUVs and trucks.
- Increased focus on trucks and SUVs: As consumer preferences have changed, Chevy has prioritized the production of SUVs and trucks, which have become more profitable and popular.
