carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $19,912–$24,057 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.0/10, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Base earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 7.8/10, while Performance at 6.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.1/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.5/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.0/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.4/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $19,912–$24,057, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Malibu Base sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value lands at 7.8/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Base, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Base ranks #1048 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 20% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $19,912 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 28%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Malibu Base model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $27,086 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $26,200 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $25,414 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $24,628 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.3/10 | $23,842 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $23,056 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $22,270 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $21,484 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $20,698 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.0/10 | $19,912 | |
| 2015 | 6.9/10 | $19,126 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.