Chevrolet understood that the new Malibu has to come with some major improvements in order to convince the public searching for a medium segment car. So it tried to make its best Malibu ever. So they started with the main problem of the old model: weight.
 
Engineers developing the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu put the new midsize sedan on a strength-training program and achieved a weight reduction of 300 pounds, which contributed to an estimated 48 mpg in city driving for the hybrid model and 37 mpg highway for the 1.5L turbo base engine.
 
More than a third of the 2016 Malibu’s mass savings, approximately 120 pounds (54 kg), comes from its all-new body structure, which features greater use of high-strength steels, enabling the use of thinner components in some areas, while delivering comparable or better crash performance.
 
Light and strong, the incorporation of more aluminum in the 2016 Malibu contributes significantly to its lower weight. Examples include an aluminum hood that is 6.6 pounds (3 kg) lighter than current model’s steel hood, and aluminum suspension knuckles and chassis components, as well as lighter mounts.
 
New power window regulators collectively save 4.2 pounds (1.9 kg) – a 34-percent reduction over the current model, while another 2.2 pounds (1 kg) was saved by reducing the complexity of components within the instrument panel.
 
The Malibu’s available leather seats are collectively 40.6 pounds (18.4 kg) lighter than the current model. Additionally, about 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg) was saved with new trunk liner material and another 1.1 pounds (0.5 kg) was shaved with new, proprietary interior carpet material that also is more durable than the current model.
 
Finally, the Malibu’s all-new, standard 1.5L turbo engine is 86 pounds (39 kg) lighter than the current model’s standard 2.5L engine, while delivering comparable performance. 
 
The 2016 Malibu goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2015. It will be offered in L, LS, LT and Premier trims, as well as a Hybrid model