2021 Chevy Malibu

The overall design of the Malibu's interior is crisp and sleek, with metallic highlights accentuating the contours of the door panels, center console, and dashboard. Set into the dashboard directly in front of the driver is an easily readable and sporty analog gauge cluster, while the center of the dashboard features a large 8-inch color infotainment screen. This screen provides easy access to the Malibu's full suite of communication and entertainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the 2021 Malibu, and the vehicle also features built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi, which can provide a continuous internet connection relayed through the car itself.

Safety Systems

Of all the various technologies and features of the 2021 Chevy Malibu, the vehicle's safety features are among the most important. The Malibu includes multiple concentric levels of safety features and protections, starting with the many available driver assistance capabilities. These systems are diverse and broad in scope, starting with Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, which monitors areas around the vehicle the driver is unable to see. A related system is capable of detecting lane drift and warning the driver. Additionally, if the vehicle is about to depart the lane unintentionally, the system will assist the driver in staying in their lane.

The function of an engine can effectively be summarized as mixing air and fuel, igniting that mix, and using the resulting explosions to move the vehicle forward. However, the laws of physics and thermodynamics conspire to force engines to produce large amounts of waste heat as they generate power. But every small improvement in how air or fuel flows into the engine unlocks dramatic improvements in overall engine efficiency, which automatically boosts power and reduces fuel consumption.

For the Malibu, these improvements start at the top of its four-cylinder engines, in the valves that allow air to flow into the engine to be ignited. The dual overhead camshafts offer greater mechanical control over the valves' opening and closing than the single overhead cam system of old, which is further enhanced by the addition of variable valve timing. This control addition allows the timing of the valves' operation to be changed on the fly as the engine is running, perfectly optimizing the system depending on conditions and driver input far faster than the blink of an eye.

While the most advanced technology found in the 2021 Malibu is under the hood, the chassis components themselves are far beyond what was available even a few decades ago. The suspension systems especially have elements first found in race cars, such as hollow sway bars that limit body roll while reducing weight. The overall suspension setup is MacPherson Strut in front, with dual-path mountings, while a four-link suspension system keeps the rear well sprung. While compact, this design allows for good road-holding qualities as well as a smooth ride.

The brakes are a critical safety feature on any car, and on the 2021 Malibu, this is no exception. The Malibu utilizes FNC-treated disc brakes on all four corners, with surprisingly large 11.8-inch rotors up front and 11.3-inch rotors in the rear. The large size of the rotors helps quickly attenuate the heat caused by heavy braking. An anti-lock braking system is also standard, improving safety in slick road conditions.