What year did Malibu have a V8?
The Malibu first offered a V8 in 1964.
Background: Malibu's engine options through the decades
The Malibu began life as Chevrolet's Chevelle Malibu trim for the 1964 model year, and from its inception buyers could choose a V8 engine. Over the years, engine choices evolved with the model's generations, introducing larger small-blocks and, briefly, a V8-powered performance variant in the mid-2000s.
Timeline of V8 availability
Below is a concise look at when the Malibu carried V8 power across its history. The list focuses on eras rather than every engine detail.
- 1964–1972: First-generation Malibu; V8 options available from the start as part of the Chevelle lineup
- 1973–1983: Second-generation Malibu; V8 options continued, with powertrains carried over from early Chevelle platforms
- 2004–2007: Malibu SS offered a V8 performance variant during the mid-2000s
In later years, the standard Malibu lineup shifted toward V6 power, with V8-only availability concentrated in the mid-2000s performance variant.
Conclusion
The question of when Malibu had a V8 is primarily answered by 1964 as the inaugural year for V8 availability on Malibu, with later generations offering V8s on select trims, most notably the mid-2000s Malibu SS. If you want specifics for a particular year or trim, I can drill down engine codes and displacement for that model.
Summary
Short answer: Malibu first offered a V8 in 1964. Across its history, V8 options appeared in the 1960s and early 1980s within the Malibu lineup, with a later V8-powered Malibu SS in the mid-2000s marking the last factory V8 Malibu before the model shifted focus to smaller engines.
