The Chevrolet Malibu does 27.3 mpg combined (24.3 city, 32.4 highway), which works out to about $1,407 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.8L 4-cyl Hybrid does 46 mpg while 3.6L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $1,085 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Malibu engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl Hybrid | 48.5 / 43.8 | 2016–2019 | $835 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 28 / 35.9 | 2016–2025 | $1,239 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 25 / 34.2 | 2008–2014 | $1,352 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 24 / 35 | 2013–2015 | $1,371 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 21 / 31 | 1998–2012 | $1,542 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 21 / 30.8 | 2004–2007 | $1,548 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19.3 / 29.1 | 2004–2010 | $1,677 | |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 17.7 / 26.3 | 1997–2003 | $1,829 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 17 / 25 | 2011–2012 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.117 |
| Fuel per year | $1,407 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,035 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$105 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,387 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 24.3 mpg | $1,580 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.4 mpg | $1,185 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.1 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Malibu changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2024 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2023 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2022 | 29 / 36 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2021 | 29 / 36 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2020 | 29 / 36 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2019 | 39 / 39.5 | 2 | $985 | |
| 2018 | 38 / 39.5 | 2 | $1,011 | |
| 2017 | 38 / 39.5 | 2 | $1,011 | |
| 2016 | 37 / 41 | 2 | $1,011 | |
| 2015 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2014 | 24.5 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2013 | 23.5 / 34.5 | 2 | $1,396 | |
| 2012 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2011 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2010 | 22.3 / 32 | 3 | $1,477 | |
| 2009 | 22.3 / 32 | 3 | $1,477 | |
| 2008 | 21.3 / 31 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2007 | 20 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2006 | 20.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2005 | 20.5 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2004 | 20.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2000 | 18.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1999 | 18 / 27 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1998 | 18.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1997 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Malibu get?
27.3 mpg combined on average — 24.3 in the city and 32.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1997–2025.
How much does a Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel per year?
About $1,407 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,035 over five years, or 0.117 dollars a mile.
Which Malibu engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl Hybrid at 46 mpg, against 20 for the 3.6L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,085 a year.
Is the Malibu good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.