2019 Chevrolet Malibu MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu gets up to 32 mpg combined with a gas engine and up to 46 mpg as a hybrid, across 3 EPA-tested versions.
EPA fuel economy
2019 Chevrolet Malibu · 3 EPA-tested versionsBest gas version
32MPG combined
29 city 36 highway
$1,950 a year to fuel
1.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · CVT
Best hybrid version
46MPG combined
49 city 43 highway
$1,350 a year to fuel
1.8L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · CVT
Best version saves $4,250 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $1,350 to $3,000 a year. Compared with 2018, the best gas version is up 2 mpg.
Fewer complaints than a typical Malibu year
The 2019 drew 41 owner complaints in its first three years, against 65 for a typical Malibu year (43 for a typical year since 2016).
Years to avoid: 2013 and 2016 to 2018; best years: 2021, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Every Malibu year rankedThe 2019 Malibu's recalls and problems
Every 2019 Malibu version
EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.
| Version | Combined | City / Hwy | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | |||
1.8L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · CVT Best
EPA listing: Malibu Hybrid |
46 mpg | 49 / 43 | $1,350 |
| Gas | |||
1.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · CVT
EPA listing: Malibu |
32 mpg | 29 / 36 | $1,950 |
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic
EPA listing: Malibu · Premium fuel |
26 mpg | 22 / 32 | $3,000 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas and $5.01 a gallon for premium gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
1.8L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · CVT | $1,304 | $6,522 |
1.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · CVT | $1,875 | $9,375 |
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 9-speed automatic | $2,890 | $14,452 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.
Does the hybrid pay for itself? See the payback for every model sold both ways.
Chevrolet Malibu MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 26 to 32 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2025); highest in 2019. Hybrid: 46 mpg (2016 to 2019).
- Best gas version
- Best hybrid version
2019: gas 32 mpg · hybrid 46 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid version |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 29 | – |
| 2011 | 26 | – |
| 2012 | 26 | – |
| 2013 | 29 | – |
| 2014 | 29 | – |
| 2015 | 29 | – |
| 2016 | 30 | 46 |
| 2017 | 30 | 46 |
| 2018 | 30 | 46 |
| 2019 | 32 | 46 |
| 2020 | 32 | – |
| 2021 | 32 | – |
| 2022 | 32 | – |
| 2023 | 30 | – |
| 2024 | 31 | – |
| 2025 | 31 | – |
Every Malibu year's ratings in one table
How the 2019 Malibu compares
2019 midsize sedans covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.
| 2019 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: hybrid |
52 mpg | 34 mpg | $1,200 |
Best: hybrid |
48 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,300 |
Chevrolet Malibu This page Best: hybrid |
46 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,350 |
Best: hybrid |
42 mpg | 31 mpg | $1,500 |
Best: hybrid |
41 mpg | 31 mpg | $1,500 |
Best: gas |
32 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 |
2019 Malibu recalls and complaints
Questions
How much fuel does the 2019 Malibu hybrid save?
Comparing two-wheel-drive versions at EPA's assumptions (15,000 miles a year, $4.00 a gallon), the hybrid costs $1,350 a year to fuel against $1,950 for the gas model: $600 a year, or $3,000 over five years.
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu need premium gas?
Some versions do. EPA lists the 2.0L turbo 4-cyl on premium, the rest use regular.
How does the 2019 Malibu's MPG compare with the 2018?
For 2019, the best gas version is rated 32 mpg, up 2 from 30 and the best hybrid version is rated 46 mpg, the same as the year before.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.
Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.