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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $34,060–$40,042 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu SL at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10, while Performance at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.4/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.1/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.6/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.5/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $34,060–$40,042, 32 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Malibu SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The 7.7/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 2 years old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu SL is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2024 Chevrolet Malibu SL ranks #585 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $34,060 starting price is about 23% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu SL scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2024's 7.5 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $34,060 | |
| 2023 | 7.3/10 | $33,038 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $32,016 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.3/10 | $30,994 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $29,972 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $28,951 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.0/10 | $27,929 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.0/10 | $26,907 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $25,885 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $24,863 | Read review → |
We rate the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu SL's reliability 7.4/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu SL starts at $34,060 and ranges up to $40,042 across trims (MSRP when new). At 32 MPG, expect roughly $1,641/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
