What is the top of line Chevy Malibu?
The top trim is the Malibu Premier. As of the most recent model years, Premier represents the highest equipment level offered in the Malibu lineup. Note that Chevrolet discontinued the Malibu after the 2023 model year, so there are no new Premier trims for 2024 or later; the latest Premier models available are used examples from 2023 or earlier.
The question centers on which Malibu grade packs the most features and power, and what buyers should expect from that top tier. The Malibu Premier has traditionally combined enhanced interior luxury, technology, and a stronger powertrain with the model’s safety and convenience systems. This article explains what defines the Premier trim and how its status changes the buying approach today.
Premier features in detail
Performance
These items describe the performance-oriented aspects of the Premier trim in the Malibu’s latest generation.
- 2.0L turbocharged engine paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission
- Approximately 250 horsepower with strong highway and passing performance
- Front-wheel drive configuration (no all-wheel drive option on Malibu Premier)
The Premier trim emphasizes a capable engine and a smooth, automatic transmission to deliver confident acceleration and everyday usability.
Comfort and technology
This list covers the interior and tech features that set the Premier apart within the Malibu lineup.
- Leather-appointed seating with heated front seats
- Premium audio system (often a Bose setup) and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Dual-zone automatic climate control and memory driver seat settings
- Remote start, keyless entry, and other convenience features
- Comprehensive safety and driver-assistance suite (e.g., forward collision alert, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert)
Overall, Premier consolidates luxury, connectivity, and safety into the Malibu’s top-tier experience, distinguishing it from lower trims like LS and LT.
Availability and what it means for buyers today
Because Chevrolet ended production of the Malibu after the 2023 model year, there are no new Malibu Premier cars in showrooms. For anyone seeking a Malibu Premier today, the practical path is a used 2023 Premier—or an earlier year in the fifth generation—where the equipment and features remain the same as the top trim.
For buyers who want new Chevrolet options in the midsize sedan segment, the Malibu is no longer a current offering; shoppers often compare other brands’ latest mid-size sedans or consider used examples of the Malibu Premier in the market today.
Summary
The top-of-the-line Chevrolet Malibu is the Premier, a trim that bundles the most features in the model’s lineup. Chevrolet produced the Malibu through the 2023 model year, and there are no new Premier models for 2024 and beyond. If you’re targeting the best available Malibu experience, look for a well-preserved 2023 Premier on the used market, which includes the 2.0L turbo engine, heated leather seating, premium audio, advanced connectivity, and a full safety package.
