Chevrolet Malibu MPG by Year
Here's the official EPA Chevrolet Malibu MPG for every model year from 1997 to 2025.
Malibu MPG by Year and Version
The EPA has rated 81 configurations of the Malibu across gas and hybrid versions. Pick a year to see each engine and drivetrain.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu | 1.5L 4-cyl | Auto (CVT) | FWD | 28 | 36 | 31 | View |
Malibu MPG Over the Years
Each bar shows the range of combined MPG across every Malibu configuration the EPA rated that year, from the thirstiest version to the most efficient. Hover or tap a year to see the numbers.
Years When Malibu Fuel Economy Changed
The Malibu's ratings stay flat for long stretches. These are the model years where something changed enough to matter when you're comparing used ones.
- 1998: The top combined rating rises to 24 MPG, up from 21 MPG the year before.
- 2004: The top combined rating rises to 25 MPG, up from 21 MPG the year before.
- 2008: The first hybrid Malibu shows up in the EPA data, rated at up to 27 MPG combined.
- 2013: The top combined rating rises to 29 MPG, up from 26 MPG the year before.
- 2016: The best combined rating jumps from 29 to 46 MPG.
How the Malibu Compares
The EPA rated 31 midsize cars for 2025. The best Malibu version, at 31 MPG combined, ties for 11th with 2 other models of 31. Combined ratings in the class run from 17 to 57 MPG, with a median of 29. Plug-in hybrids and electric models are ranked separately.
| Rank | Model | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Prius | 57 MPG |
| 2 | Hyundai Elantra | 54 MPG |
| 3 | Toyota Camry | 51 MPG |
| 4 | Honda Civic | 49 MPG |
| 5 | Honda Accord | 44 MPG |
| 11 | Chevrolet Malibu | 31 MPG |
What Does a Malibu Cost to Fuel?
Pick a Malibu, then enter your gas price and how much you drive. The math uses the EPA city and highway ratings, weighted by how much of your driving happens in each.
Malibu MPG Questions
Which Malibu year gets the best gas mileage?
The 2017 to 2019 Malibu Hybrid holds the top EPA rating at 46 MPG combined (49 city, 43 highway). Among 2025 models, the Malibu is rated at 31 MPG combined.
What's the best gas mileage from a non-hybrid Malibu?
The 2019 to 2022 Malibu with the 1.5L 4-cylinder and front-wheel drive is rated at 32 MPG combined (29 city, 36 highway).
Is there still a gas-only Malibu?
Yes. The 2025 Malibu lineup includes 1 gas-only version, rated 31 MPG combined.
Why doesn't my Malibu match the EPA numbers?
EPA ratings come from standardized lab tests so every car is measured the same way. Your results depend on speed, climate, idling, cargo, tire pressure and upkeep. The ratings are best for comparing one car against another. To track your own numbers, try the MPG calculator.
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Where These Numbers Come From
This page was built by Cedrick Reese from the U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset on fueleconomy.gov, which holds 81 ratings for the Chevrolet Malibu from 1997 to 2025. Each row in the table links to the matching EPA vehicle record, so you can check any figure against the source. Ratings from before 2008 use the EPA's revised estimates, which put older vehicles on the same scale as newer ones. When the EPA posts an updated file with new model years or corrected ratings, this page is rebuilt from it. The cost calculator uses the gas price you enter rather than a national average, so the result fits where you live.
Ratings on this page come from the EPA file downloaded on October 1, 2026.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, fueleconomy.gov, U.S. DOE and EPA
- Vehicle data field definitions, including the revised 1984-2007 estimates, fueleconomy.gov
- Factors that affect fuel economy, fueleconomy.gov