Car financing: blue 2021 Chevrolet Malibu LT in Java

The 2021 Chevrolet Malibu LT: before you buy

CarmaCars rents cars and does not sell the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu LT; this page helps you judge it before you buy one elsewhere. We are not a lender and do not arrange loans. A monthly rental can cover the time while you arrange financing with your bank. For anyone shopping for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu LT, here are the facts that matter.

What to check on the Malibu

Look at the tires, brakes and battery; they are costly to replace. Have a mechanic inspect a used one before you buy it. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model; ask the seller for proof each one was fixed. NHTSA has 90 owner complaints on file, mostly about unknown or other, electrical system and power train.

Specs, explained

The powertrain here is the 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo with front-wheel drive and an automatic (CVT). The turbo gives a small engine the pull of a bigger one when you need it. With front-wheel drive, the weight of the engine sits over the driven wheels, which helps in winter.

For 300 km of mixed driving, expect about 22 litres, from its 7.3 L/100 km rating. That works out to about $11.32 per 100 km at our price setting. EPA puts its fuel cost at US$2,100 a year for 15,000 miles at US prices.

Who it is for

It suits a work trip where a reliable car matters more than anything else. It suits a stretch between cars, by the week or the month.

Room inside

Its car body is low and settled, with a separate trunk. The EPA measures its luggage space at 368 litres, roughly about two large suitcases and a few soft bags.

A longer test drive

If the Malibu is in our fleet, its page shows the rates; if not, a similar car helps you judge. A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent it, live with it for a week, and decide with real experience.

Picking a year and a trim

If you are unsure between two options, rent one of them for a week first. Set a budget that includes tax, licensing, insurance and the first set of tires. Write down the VIN of any car you consider; it unlocks the recall and service history.

What it costs to run

The EPA estimates US$2,100 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices. At our price setting, 100 km costs about $11.32 in fuel. A 1,000 km month costs roughly $113.20 at our price setting.

Java and the Malibu

If you need it in Java itself, send a request and we will tell you honestly whether we can help. Java is about 1,072 km from Toronto, outside our delivery area.

Ask us

Tell us the car you are considering, and we will help where we can.