2020 Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The automotive market has been growing steadily over the past few decades, with vehicles being released across a broad range of categories. While this would make the choice of which car to buy somewhat challenging, what further compounds the issue is the number of trims that are available with each of the options.

This has been true with the Chevrolet Malibu range for the past several years, with the option having quite a large number of trim levels on offer. Over the years, the specs of these trims have varied, although each has had quite a large amount to offer potential buyers. This is especially true with the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu range, which has six levels to choose from, with these ranging from the base L to the Premier and Hybrid options.

While these haven’t seen too large of an update from the previous editions of the Chevrolet Malibu range, there are still quite a large number of benefits with each. This has been the case since the range was first introduced, with the Malibu consistently out-performing many other vehicles in its class.

Much of this can be seen in the volume of technological features that the Chevrolet Malibu has always offered, as well as the smooth driving experience and high-quality handling. Despite this, the choice between trims for the 2020 edition can seem somewhat overwhelming for many, especially if they’re buying their first mid-size sedan.

Though each option can be a recommended choice for anybody looking for a high-quality mid-size sedan, some notable differences may sway your decision. While the majority of the options come with the same turbocharged 1.5 engine, it’s the powertrain and other technology that can help differentiate them.

Alongside this is the inclusion of the Hybrid trim, which can provide a wealth of benefits for anybody looking to cut down on their carbon footprint. When you’re considering the choice between which 2020 Chevrolet Malibu trim to opt for, there will be a variety of factors at play that could affect your decision.

There are quite a large number of differences between the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu trims that you’ll need to be aware of.

 

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu L vs LS Trims. What is the difference?

Since the range was first released, the Chevrolet Malibu’s base L trim has comprised the majority of features that people would want to see in a mid-size sedan, and the 2020 edition is no different. As such, there are quite a considerable number of features that come as standard that the majority of buyers may want to take advantage of.

Some of the more prominent of these include its six-way manual passenger and driver seats, which should provide a large amount of customizability in driving position. Alongside this are a variety of high-quality entertainment features, which includes an audio system with six speakers, Chevrolet’s standard three system infotainment program featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display.

There are also a variety of other features that Chevrolet fans would come to expect with the majority of the manufacturer’s vehicles. Some of the more prominent of these include a keyless open and start function, electronic braking, Connected Access, and headlights that automatically switch on and off, among other core features.

The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS, in contrast, features all of the above, plus a few key extras. Some of the most prominent of these include a compass display and an exterior temperature display and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, which is something that many potential buyers may want to look for.

The LS also features what the manufacturer calls Teen Driver tech, which should make the vehicle much easier to use for learner drivers. This could also be a benefit to people who aren’t used to driving mid-size sedans, although this use could be somewhat limited for them. However, this could be quite an advantage if you’ve got a younger family member who’s learning to drive.

This technology also means that it should be much safer for them to do so. Alongside this, it should mean that parents will be able to keep more of an eye on their teenager’s driving behavior, which is a notable benefit.

There are also a few visual upgrades when you go from the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu L to LS, with this primarily being seen in the wheels. While both have the same size wheels at 16-inches, the LS features aluminum rims in contrast to the L’s steel with painted covers. Alongside this are visor vanity mirrors that are available for drivers and the front passenger, which come with the LS but not the L.

The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS also has a few optional features that don’t seem to come with the L. Some of the more prominent of these include rear-side window sunshades, although these are manual, as well as a remote start kit. Buyers should also be able to choose between a variety of different mats with the LS that isn’t available with the base model.

The main options here are premium carpeted or all-weather floor mats, both of which have their own advantages and can be installed across the vehicle. You should also be able to choose cargo nets and rugs, which could be worth the investment. While many of these will have their benefits, the choice of which mats to pick could be driven by personal preference, although each is worth looking at.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS vs RS Trims.  What Is The Difference?

While the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS offers quite a large number of features for quite an attractive price, there are a few notable things that it’s missing out on. Many of these come with the RS trim, which isn’t much more expensive than the LS. As such, the extra cost could be worth it, depending on which features you’re looking for.

There are a few prominent features that come as standard with the RS, including everything that comes with the lower-level trims. While some of these are primarily cosmetic, they can add a much more luxurious feel to the Chevrolet Malibu. One of the largest of these superficial changes is the inclusion of a black grille, which adds a nice touch to an already stylish mid-size sedan.

Alongside this is a dual-outlet exhaust. While this mightn’t be the most visible aspect of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, it does offer a minor touch that adds to the overall feel of the vehicle. The RS trim also includes bowtie emblems at the back and front of the car, which adds another small, but appreciated touch.

Two other exterior cosmetic features are available with the Chevrolet Malibu RS, including a rear spoiler, which could be something that many people may want to look for. The last of these exterior changes are the larger wheels, which come in at 18-inches compared to the 16-inch wheels that the lower edition models offer.

The interior of the Chevrolet Malibu RS also features a few minor changes, including a shift knob that’s now wrapped in leather. The steering wheel is also leather-wrapped and comes with a tilt-and-telescopic focus. You should also be able to take advantage of an upgraded power driver seat, which is an eight-way in contrast to the lower trim’s six.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS vs LT Trims. What is the difference?

While there’s somewhat of a jump in price with the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT, the trim does come with quite a large number of features. While it includes everything you’ll get with the RS, there’s quite an extensive list of features that you wouldn’t see with any of the lower trims.

Some of the largest of these include an automatic climate control, which is spread across two zones, and driver and front passenger seats that are now heated. As such, you should be able to expect a significant amount of extra comfort when you’re driving. Illuminated visor vanity mirrors are also included for the driver and front passenger, as are LED running lamps for the daytime.

The LED also extends to the taillamps, which could mean that you’ll be using much less of the battery when you’re driving. You’ll also be able to take advantage of power windows and mirrors, the latter of which are body-color heated.

However, the wheels that come with the Chevrolet Malibu LT are slightly smaller at 17-inches compared to the lower trims’ 18-inch wheels.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT vs Premier Trims.  What Is The Difference?

Chevrolet has called this the Malibu Premier trim for a reason, as not only does it include all of the features that the other trims have, but quite a significant amount more. While this does mean that there’s a significant jump in price, the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier does a lot to make this as worth-while as possible.

Though it does downgrade to a six-way power driver seat, the majority of other features are large improvements on the previous editions. Some of the largest of these include an 8-inch HD infotainment system, driver seat memory, and a carpeted trunk mat, each of which could prove to be quite a significant advantage for the majority of drivers.

Alongside this, you can expect rear outboard seats that are now heated, outside mirrors that are both body-color heated and feature turn signal indicators, and driver seat memory. The audio system has also been upgraded to include nine speakers instead of the six that come with each of the lower trims.

The wheels have also been upgraded to be 18-inch aluminum, which is a large difference from the Chevrolet Malibu LT. Lastly is a 120-volt power outlet, which the majority of buyers may want to utlizie.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier vs Hybrid Trims. What is the difference?

With the large jump in price from the Premier to the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, many people would expect that it comes with quite a significant number of extra features. However, this mightn’t be as accurate a statement as you may think, as there are fewer additional benefits here, other than the change in engine.

While it has many of the same features as the Chevrolet Malibu Premier, the only other real changes can be seen in the seat adjustments. This is primarily because the driver seat has an eight-way power adjustment while the front passenger gets a six-way manual.

Alongside this is the inclusion of a StabiliTrak system, which helps to improve your traction control, which could be somewhat beneficial for handling. Lastly is the addition of halogen headlights, which further decreases the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid’s carbon footprint.

There are also a few additional features that are optional with these including a rear parking assist and sill plates on the front door that could be made out of stainless steel.

 

Which One To Choose?

With the variety of options that are available for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, it can be quite difficult to choose between them. However, there are a few areas where certain trims stand out from the rest.

While the majority of the more expensive trims have a variety of additional features for your money, these can often seem somewhat underwhelming. As such, many of them mightn’t feel as though they’re worth the extra money. However, the Chevrolet Malibu’s Premier trim does have quite a large number of benefits going for it.

This should mean that you’re getting your money’s worth with the investment. Much of this will be seen in the various infotainment features that come as standard with the Premium trim. While it does mean paying considerably more than the base trim of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, there’s little of a price difference between the Premier and the LT.

Despite this, the Premier does have many more features than the lower trim level, with this helping to provide a considerable amount of value for money. A lot of this could be because many of the trims can come across as somewhat pricey, which is especially true when you consider that a variety of features that come with them are optional, which further adds to the price.

As such, if you’re looking for a large number of features as standard, then the Premier trim should be worth the investment. However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly trim to choose from, then the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS may be the better choice. While the Malibu L is slightly more affordable, you’ll be sacrificing a variety of features for this saving.

Outside of these, many of the other trim options can come across as somewhat pricey. While each of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu’s trims does have a variety of features that many people may be drawn toward, some don’t warrant the additional price tag.