How Big Is A Chevy Malibu? [Dimensions And Specs Revealed]

Making yourself aware of how big a prospective vehicle is can be very useful information when it comes to determining where it can be parked, or how much cargo you can stow aboard. If you are wondering how big the Chevy Malibu is, we can help you. We researched this popular vehicle from multiple professional sources so that you will know for sure about its size.

The 2022 Chevy Malibu has the following exterior dimensions:

  • the length is 194.2 inches
  • the width is 73.0 inches
  • the height is 57.3 inches
  • the wheelbase is 111.4 inches

Know that you know how big the Chevy Malibu is, we'll break down the interior measurements and important specs in detail. You might also be wondering if the Malibu is a full-sized car, or if the Malibu has a trunk. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.

A 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Sedan at a dealership in Halifax's North End, How Big Is A Chevy Malibu? [Dimensions And Specs Revealed]

Interior measurements and important specs for the 2022 Chevy Malibu

This four-door sedan lends a decent amount of interior room for riders. Making yourself aware of them will help you decide if this vehicle is right for you and your family. The specs we'll review in this section might also weigh in on your decision-making.

Interior measurements

  • Front legroom is 41.5 inches
  • Rear legroom is 38.1 inches
  • Front headroom is 39.1 inches
  • Rear headroom is 37.5 inches
  • Front shoulder room 58.5 inches
  • Rear shoulder room 57.1 inches
  • Front hip room is 54.1 inches
  • Rear hip room 53.4 inches

Important specs to know

 
 
 
 
 
  • Curb weight is 3,135 pounds
  • Passenger capacity is five
  • Trunk volume is 15.7 cubic feet
  • Fuel tank capacity is 15.8 gallons
  • Fuel economy ranges from 22 miles per gallon to 29 miles per gallon (highway) depending upon trim level
 

Is a Chevy Malibu a full-size car?

Determining on your own what class of vehicle your car belongs in can be a little tricky. What is the difference between a compact car, a mid-sized car, and one that is full-sized? The answer was provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1977.

The EPA established standards and definitions for automobile classes based upon how much room they provide on the interior. In order for a car to be considered a full-sized one, it must have combined passenger and cargo room that exceeds 120 cubic feet for a sedan and 160 cubic feet for a station wagon. 

The Malibu falls a little short to be considered full-sized. With a passenger area of only 102.9 cubic feet and cargo room of 15.7 cubic feet, it comes in at a total of 118.6, just shy of the 120.0 cubic foot minimum established by the EPA. While you might see the Malibu listed at rental car agencies as a "full-sized" sedan, it is in fact a mid-sized car.

How spacious is a Chevy Malibu?

For a mid-sized car, the Chevy Malibu is adequately spacious. The average cubic feet for passenger and cargo room combined for a vehicle in this class is 110, which is ten cubic feet less than what the Malibu has to offer. As we noted earlier, the Malibu almost makes the cut for a full-sized car, so it will certainly be roomier than most mid-sized ones.

It's important to keep in mind that the class of vehicle should be the barometer for measuring how spacious a vehicle is. Again, this is a roomy car for one that is mid-sized. Will it be as roomy as an SUV? Of course not. Know the measurements that this vehicle has and compare that to the room that you and your passengers will need. That alone should be the deciding factor on whether or not the Malibu is spacious enough.

Chevrolet Malibu changes lanes on interstate highway

Is the Chevy Malibu suitable for tall people?

As most people who are tall will tell you, the amount of room you have in a vehicle is important. Not only for the sake of their comfort but also their safety. Getting the right fit can be a little tricky for taller people, but it's not impossible. It just requires knowing how much room you'll need for your head and legs as far as clearance goes. 

Ideally, someone over six feet tall will require headroom of at least 38 inches and legroom of at least 43 inches. This will keep the windshield visible and help people with taller legs avoid banging their knees. As the Malibu has 39.1 inches of headroom in the front, you're okay here. But the 41.5 inches of front legroom might find you a little cramped. 

For those over 6'6," you might consider a different class of vehicle. Some full-sized sedans and most crossover SUVs will be suitable, but for the tallest among us, you may need to look at full-sized SUVs for the optimum level of comfort.

Does the Chevy Malibu have a trunk?  

Empty trunk of the large white sedan

Like all mid-sized cars, the Chevy Malibu does come built with a trunk. Without one, it'd be nearly impossible for grocery trips with the kids in tow. But how much room does the Chevy Malibu's trunk offer?

With 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space, the Chevy Malibu's trunk has a decent amount of storage available. This is more than enough room for a large purchase at the grocery store, and it's more than adequate for traveling. A trunk of this size can easily fit at least four large suitcases inside of it, making it a good car for trips to the airport or longer road vacations. 

Can golf clubs fit in a Chevy Malibu?

As any avid golfer will tell you, getting a vehicle with enough room to cart their golf clubs and the bag is important. While you should be able to toss a golf bag full of clubs into most any back seat, this isn't always an option if you have passengers with you. 

Keep in mind that the standard golf bag is 36 inches tall. That will fit inside the trunk of any car. But after you add average-sized clubs into the bag, the total needed space becomes 50 inches or more. Is this something that can still be placed inside the trunk of the Malibu?

The overall width of the 2022 Chevy Malibu is 73 inches. While the trunk opening isn't this wide, there will still be room enough to gently maneuver your full golf bag inside of it, with or without your golf clubs.

Young golfer walking by carrying golf bag in golf course

Can skis fit in a Chevy Malibu?

Whether or not your skis will fit inside the 2022 Chevy Malibu will depend on the skis that you have. The best skis length for a person is based on that person's height and skill level. A beginner will want skis that are top to bottom just below eye level, while someone more experienced will want skis that are longer.

With the width of the Chevy Malibu being 73 inches, you'll need skis that are about six inches shorter than that to be able to fit them into the trunk. And if you are carrying more than one pair of skis, that trunk might not be able to accommodate.

If your skis are longer, or if you are toting around multiple pairs, it's best to look into getting a roof rack for your Malibu. This way, you'll be able to safely carry your skis on the top of your car and can save the trunk space for cargo and the back seat for passengers.

Family going home from a ski vacation

In conclusion

The Chevy Malibu remains a popular family and commuter vehicle. While it is just shy of being classified as a full-sized car, it is a rather roomy one for the mid-sized class. Even though it is smaller than a lot of other vehicles on the market, it is still capable of carrying much of what your family will need when you travel. Drive safe!

If you found this post on the Chevy Malibu to be helpful, we believe that you'll find the following posts about this popular automaker to be informative:

How to Engage 4 Wheel Drive Chevy Suburban [Do All Suburbans Have It?]

Chevrolet Silverado Gauges Not Working – What Could Be Wrong?

Are Chevy And GMC Truck Beds The Same [or Interchangable]

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