The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu is a four-door family sedan that can carry up to five passengers. It is essentially the same model as last year and is available in the same four trims. These trims are the LS, LT1, LT2, and the LTZ.

Malibu LS - The LS trim comes with an Ecotec 2.4L DOHC four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (VVT) that produces 169 hp. This engine comes standard paired to a four speed automatic transmission with overdrive. In the case of the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu with this engine and transmission have received a fuel economy rating of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway. This offers a combined fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon overall.

Malibu LT1, LT2 - The LT1 trim offers the same engine and transmission as the LS trim. This means it also achieves the same fuel economy rating of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway with a combined rating of 25 miles per gallon. However, a different transmission is an option for the LT1. This is a six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, which together with this engine is capable of some of the best fuel economy ratings of any midsize sedan. This is the standard transmission for the LT2 trim.

To go with the six-speed transmission, the LT2 models have the same powerful 2.4L DOHC four-cylinder engine. The EPA fuel economy rating for this vehicle transmission combination is 22 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon when driving on the highway. These ratings create a combined fuel economy rating of 26 miles per gallon.

Malibu LTZ - When looking at the top of the line trim – the LTZ – we find the same powerful engine paired with the same six-speed automatic transmission to produce the same healthy fuel economy ratings of the LT2 model of 22 and 33 miles per gallon. The combined rating is therefore also the same at 26 miles per gallon.