Chevrolet
is one of the most popular American car brands because it offers plenty of variety. From the reserved Trax SUV to the aggressively-styled Corvette, there's something for any driver. Chevy cars also have legitimately affordable car insurance
rates, as long as you know where to look.With Chevy's huge lineup, it's easy to lose track of less popular models. One of those is the Chevy Malibu, which is currently available in four different trims. We looked at Car and Driver
to determine which one offers the most value. Is the 2022 Chevy Malibu RS a good value?
The Chevy Malibu RS is just one step ahead of the base LS. Car and Driver says the average driver pays about $25,395 for a new Malibu with this trim.
Both trims come with a turbo-four engine that makes 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. Car and Driver testers found this powertrain somewhat slow compared to the competition, reporting a 0-60 time just below eight seconds. Despite this, power delivery is smooth and the CVT's noises are usually reserved.
The Malibu is only available in FWD. With the base engine, it earns a satisfying 29/36 mpg city/highway.
Only a few elements set the Chevy Malibu RS apart from the LS. It has a leather steering wheel, power-adjustability for the driver's seat, and a rear spoiler.
Both the Malibu RS and LS come with keyless entry and five cloth-upholstered seats. Car and Driver appreciated that the second row was large enough for adults, but wished that the rear seats offered more support.
The center stack houses an eight-inch touchscreen, which has wireless smartphone integration. The only advanced safety features on these trims are a seatbelt reminder and a Teen Driver mode. The optional Driver Confidence bundles provide parking sensors, lane-keeping tech, blind-spot monitors, and pre-collision warning with enhanced braking.
How the Malibu RS compares to the LT
Car and Driver says that the LT trim actually offers a better value than the Chevy Malibu RS. You won't get the leather steering wheel or rear spoiler, but you gain heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control.
This trim also comes standard with LED taillights, remote start, bigger wheels, and a noise-canceling windshield. Options include a dual-pane sunroof and a leather seating package. A Chevy Malibu LT without any add-ons costs an average of $27,745.
What about the Premier trim?
This Malibu's asking price of around $34,445 is mostly due to its powerful engine. The turbo-four inside this trim is capable of 250 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, complemented by a nine-speed automatic transmission.
While it's faster than the base powertrain, Car and Driver wasn't blown away by the bigger turbo-four's performance. The standard leather upholstery, heating for the rear seats, ventilation for the front seats, and a Bose audio system are arguably more appealing.
The 2022 Chevy Malibu RS might be one of your cheapest options in the mid-size sedan segment. Even so, the LT appears to be the better compromise if you can't afford the Premier model or one of its rivals.
MORE: What Is the Best Chevrolet Model According to Consumer Reports?
Here's the price of Chevy Malibu RS insurance in 2022
A Chevy Malibu RS usually costs an average of $3,511 in premiums, according to our latest estimates
. A lot of its biggest rivals offer much cheaper rates, including the Honda Accord Sport. Still, the three lowest trims of the Malibu are cheaper compared to most of the segment's comparable models. You can bring any car's insurance cost down to a reasonable price when you use Jerry
. After finding better quotes through an in-app search, Jerry-users save an average of over $800 a year! Even after you've already purchased your coverage, Jerry will always inform you about better deals as soon as they're available. 
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