Get the free Car Buyer’s Cheat Sheet, 7 things to know before you sign anything. The numbers that matter, in plain English, on one page.
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Cost example updated November 4, 2026
What it costs to keep a Malibu running
About $532 a year, or $2,660 over five years. That is the maintenance number in this page's example. The table below shows where it comes from, service by service, and the schedule after it shows when the factory says each job is due.
| Service | What it typically costs |
|---|---|
| Oil change, oil and filter | $76 to $135 |
| Brake pads, one axle | $327 to $399 |
| Engine air filter | $109 to $131 |
| Cabin air filter | $100 to $120 |
| Tires, set of 4, parts only | $600 to $1,400 |
| Battery | $377 to $412 |
| Spark plugs, set of 4 | $249 to $333 |
Prices are RepairPal 2023 estimates except tires, which are derived from a dealer per-tire range, parts only. No RepairPal rotor price is published for the 2023 Malibu, so the table leaves it out. Edmunds puts 5-year maintenance alone higher, at $5,138, at dealer prices and 15,000 miles a year. This page uses RepairPal's $532 a year average. Schedule from the 2023 Malibu Owner's Manual, GM-hosted PDF. Prices checked November 11, 2026.
When the factory says each job is due
| When | What is due |
|---|---|
| Per the Oil Life System, at most 7,500 miles, at least yearly | Oil and filter |
| Every 7,500 miles | Tire rotation, inspection |
| When the air-filter life system says so | Engine air filter |
| Every 22,500 miles or 24 months | Cabin air filter |
| 60,000 miles | Spark plugs |
| 45,000 miles, severe service only | Transmission fluid and filter |
| 150,000 miles or 6 years | Coolant, drain and fill |
| Every 5 years | Brake fluid |
Start with the price you will actually pay
For a representative example, use a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT at $16,300 (Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for a dealer sale in typical condition, updated weekly). The example car has about 45,000 miles on it, in line with current listings, which cluster around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. The 1LT runs the 1.5 liter turbo four cylinder with 163 horsepower and a six speed automatic. Chevrolet ended Malibu production in the United States in November 2024, and the 2025 model year was the last one sold new. New stock is nearly gone, 24 new units were left on dealer lots across the country in June 2026, per GM Authority's check of Chevrolet's inventory search, so a new car example would be stale. The used market is where Malibus live now, and this example prices that market. Replace this starting point with a written quote for the exact car you are considering.
The down payment does not make the Malibu cheaper; it changes how much you finance. With 10% down ($1,630), 11.19% APR (the yearly interest rate on the loan, the Experian second quarter 2026 average for used cars) and 60 months, and with the 7% sales tax ($1,141, an example rate, since rates run from 0% to over 10% depending on where you register) and $900 in title and dealer fees rolled into the loan rather than paid up front, this example finances $16,711 at $365 a month, and the loan costs about $5,184 in interest over five years.
Fuel: a midsize sedan's middle of the road gas bill
The 1LT is rated 30 mpg combined (27 city, 35 highway, per EPA figures for the 2023 Malibu). At 12,000 miles a year that is 400 gallons annually, roughly $1,661 a year, $8,306 over five years at $4.153 a gallon, the EIA national average, week ending November 2, 2026. Real world results move with driving style and weather. The method is simple: miles divided by mpg, times price, times years.
Depreciation is still the biggest bucket
Depreciation is the value a car loses over time, the gap between what you paid and what it is worth later. This example assumes the Malibu is worth $7,000 after five more years, at about 8 years old with about 105,000 miles, so the value lost is $9,300, about $155 a month.
That $7,000 is a stated example assumption, not a published price, and it sits on the conservative side on purpose. Kelley Blue Book puts a 2023 Malibu's current resale value at $15,000 and its trade in value at $11,800, and 8 year old Malibus today, the 2018 models, run $9,750 to $13,200 on Kelley Blue Book. The example uses $7,000, below today's 8 year old range, so the total does not depend on an optimistic used market. Kelley Blue Book also notes the 2023 Malibu depreciated 26% in its first three years, which puts it in the 75th to 100th percentile for depreciation among 2023 sedans, meaning it lost value faster than most sedans its age.
Insurance runs midsize sedan money
Full coverage averages for a Malibu run from about $2,482 a year (CarEdge, national average for a 40 year old driver with full coverage, a good driving record and good credit) to $2,496 a year (Insurify, full coverage average). This example uses $2,490 a year, or $12,450 over five years, the middle of that range rounded to the nearest $5. Premiums depend heavily on the driver, ZIP code, coverage and insurer, so get a quote on the exact car with matching deductibles and limits before treating any average as yours.
Malibu maintenance costs: average, not scary
RepairPal's average annual repair cost for the Malibu is $532, which over five years is $2,660. RepairPal rates the Malibu 4.0 out of 5.0 for reliability, 9th out of 24 midsize cars, with unscheduled shop visits averaging 0.3 times a year and 11% of repairs rated severe. That average covers repairs and maintenance across model years. The shape matters: some years are oil and filters, and other years are brakes, a battery, or a tire set, and a single big repair lands on top of the average in real life.
The full five-year example
Every figure below comes from the site's own calculator math. The stated inputs are: 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT, about 45,000 miles, $16,300 price, 10% down ($1,630), 11.19% APR, 60 months, 7% sales tax, $900 in title and dealer fees, 12,000 miles per year, 30 mpg, $4.153 per gallon, $2,490 per year insurance, $532 per year maintenance and repairs, $7,000 resale value after five years as a stated assumption.
- Depreciation: $9,300 ($16,300 minus $7,000 resale)
- Insurance: $12,450 ($2,490 x 5 years)
- Fuel: $8,306 (12,000 / 30 x $4.153 x 5 years)
- Maintenance and repairs: $2,660 ($532 x 5 years, RepairPal average annual repair cost)
- Tax, fees and interest: $7,225 ($1,141 sales tax, $900 fees, $5,184 loan interest)
That totals roughly $39,941, or about $666 a month. Notice what that says about the $365 payment: on this car the payment is not the whole story, it is about 55% of the average month's true cost, and during the loan years the cash actually going out is about $755 a month, the payment plus insurance, fuel and upkeep.
Formula
The five-year total is the sum of five buckets: depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and tax, fees and interest. Depreciation is the $16,300 price minus the $7,000 resale value after five years, which is $9,300. Insurance is $2,490 a year times 5 years, which is $12,450. Fuel is 12,000 miles a year divided by 30 miles per gallon, times $4.153 a gallon, times 5 years, which is about $8,306. Maintenance and repairs are $532 a year times 5 years, which is $2,660. Tax, fees and interest is 7% sales tax on $16,300, which is $1,141, plus $900 in title and dealer fees, plus about $5,184 of loan interest, which is $7,225.
Added together, $9,300 plus $12,450 plus $8,306 plus $2,660 plus $7,225 equals $39,941, or about $666 a month. The amount financed is the $16,300 price plus $1,141 sales tax plus $900 in fees, minus the $1,630 down payment, which is $16,711. At 11.19% APR over 60 months, the payment on $16,711 is $365 a month, and the loan costs about $5,184 in interest over five years.
Why used is the Malibu story
Chevrolet built its last US Malibu in November 2024, and the 2025 model year was the last one sold new. What is left is a deep used market: more than 7,000 2023 Malibus were listed on CarGurus in October 2026 at an average price around $16,600, and the iSeeCars 2026 study lists a 3 year old Malibu average of $17,275. The example price of $16,300 for a 1LT sits below both averages, which fits a mid trim car against all trim averages. One check before money changes hands: the 2023 to 2025 range carries a rearview camera recall (NHTSA campaign N262551720) that was still being remedied in 2026, so confirm the repair is done on the exact car.
What these numbers do not settle
Honest gaps, stated here rather than settled quietly. First, resale: the $7,000 resale is a stated example assumption, not a published price, and it sits below today's 8 year old Malibu range on purpose. A different condition or mileage moves it. Second, price: the $16,300 is Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price for a dealer sale in typical condition, updated weekly; private party prices run lower, and any one car's price moves with condition, mileage, and location. Third, gas price: $4.153 a gallon is the EIA national average, week ending November 2, 2026, a dated snapshot, not a five year promise, and pump prices where you live will differ. Fourth, fees: the $900 covers title and dealer fees at purchase only; yearly registration and renewal fees are not in this example and vary by state. Fifth, maintenance: RepairPal's $532 is an average across model years, and a tire set or one real repair adds to it in real life. Sixth, insurance: published averages span $2,482 a year to $2,496 a year, so the $2,490 example sits inside the range, not at its edge, and your quotes will move with driver, ZIP code, and coverage. Seventh, mileage: the about 45,000 miles is example input; listings cluster around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. Dealer add ons, options, and anything above the price are not included.
Sources: Kelley Blue Book 2023 Chevrolet Malibu pricing and depreciation pages, accessed November 4, 2026; CarGurus 2023 Chevrolet Malibu analysis, October 2026 market data; EPA fuel economy figures via Kelley Blue Book and CarGurus; Experian State of the Automotive Finance Market, second quarter 2026; CarEdge Chevrolet Malibu insurance; Insurify Chevrolet Malibu insurance; RepairPal Chevrolet Malibu reliability; EIA national average regular gas, week ending November 2, 2026; MotorTrend, May 2024, and GM Authority, 2025 and 2026, on the end of Malibu production; iSeeCars 2026 study of 3 year old averages, August 11, 2026; NHTSA campaign N262551720. Figures checked November 4, 2026.
Calculation transparency
Jurisdiction. United States. Sales tax, titling, registration and insurance rules are set by your state, so your exact numbers depend on where you buy and register the car. The 7% sales tax and $900 in fees in this example are planning figures, not any one state's actual rates.
Rules and time period. Five years, 12,000 miles a year, gas at $4.153 a gallon (EIA national average, week ending November 2, 2026), 11.19% APR (Experian second-quarter 2026 average for used-car loans), 60 months, 10% down. The resale value is a stated example assumption, not a forecast.
Scope and limitations. Educational estimate only. Insurance and maintenance are planning figures, not quotes. Get a real quote for the same trim, coverage and loan before you decide.
Source links checked November 6, 2026. Figures: Kelley Blue Book 2023 Malibu 1LT Fair Purchase Price (updated weekly); Experian second-quarter 2026 average used-car loan rate, 11.19%; RepairPal Malibu average annual repair cost, about $532; CarEdge Chevrolet Malibu full-coverage average, $2,482 a year; Insurify Chevrolet Malibu full-coverage average, $2,496 a year; iSeeCars 2026 study 3-year-old Malibu average price, $17,275; EIA weekly gas prices (week ending November 2, 2026).
Primary sources: Kelley Blue Book, 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT; Experian, used-car loan rates; RepairPal, Chevrolet Impala vs Chevrolet Malibu comparison; CarEdge, Chevrolet Malibu insurance; Insurify, Chevrolet Malibu car insurance; iSeeCars, used cars under $20,000 study; EIA, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update. How the numbers are calculated is written down on the methodology page, and every source is listed on the sources page.
Definitions
Depreciation. The value a car loses over time. On this page, the $16,300 price minus the $7,000 resale value after five years, which is $9,300.
Resale value. What the car is worth after five years in this example, $7,000. A stated example assumption, not a published price and not a promise.
APR. Annual percentage rate, the yearly cost of borrowing before fees. This example uses 11.19%, the Experian second-quarter 2026 average for used-car loans.
Down payment. The cash paid up front. Here it is 10%, or $1,630.
Combined mpg. The EPA city and highway ratings blended into one figure. It is 30 for the 2023 Malibu, 27 in the city and 35 on the highway.
Full coverage. Insurance that covers damage to your own car as well as damage to others. This example uses $2,490 a year.
Fair Purchase Price. Kelley Blue Book's price for a dealer sale in typical condition, updated weekly. The $16,300 price in this example is that figure for a 2023 Malibu 1LT.
Questions people actually ask
How much does a Chevrolet Malibu cost per month?
About $666 a month over five years in this example: a $365 monthly loan payment plus insurance, gas, and upkeep, with the car's loss in value spread across the same five years. During the loan years the cash going out each month is about $755, because the payment, insurance, gas, and upkeep are all paid at the same time.
Is the Chevrolet Malibu still being made?
No. Chevrolet ended Malibu production in the United States in November 2024, and the 2025 model year was the last one sold new. New stock is nearly gone, and the used market is where Malibus live now.
How much does a Chevrolet Malibu cost in gas?
About $1,661 a year, or $8,306 over five years, at 12,000 miles a year, 30 miles per gallon, and $4.153 a gallon. Drive more miles, or pay more at the pump, and that line rises in direct proportion.
Does a Chevrolet Malibu hold its value?
Faster down than most sedans its age, by the published data. Kelley Blue Book says the 2023 Malibu depreciated 26% in its first three years, with a current resale value of $15,000 and a trade in value of $11,800. This example assumes $7,000 after five more years, which is a planning assumption, not a promise.
What does the five-year Malibu example assume?
A 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT with about 45,000 miles at $16,300, 10 percent down, 11.19 percent APR over 60 months, 7 percent sales tax, $900 in title and dealer fees, 12,000 miles a year, 30 miles per gallon, $4.153 a gallon, $2,490 a year for insurance, $532 a year for maintenance and repairs, and a $7,000 resale value after five years as a stated assumption. Change any input and the total moves with it.
Related: Can this Malibu fit $400 or $600 a month, month to month?
Related: See the Nissan Altima, the midsize sedan most Malibu shoppers also price
Related: See the Hyundai Elantra and its five year cost
Related: See every model with a true cost page
The calculator is where the Malibu price, insurance quote, real annual mileage, local fuel price, and conservative resale value replace every input above. Then change only the inputs that differ to test a lower mileage car, a shorter loan, or a lower rate.
Shopping the Malibu against another midsize sedan? The Car Showdown runs any two vehicles through the same five buckets side by side. Cross-shopping a Camry too? See what a Toyota Camry really costs over 5 years. Cross-shopping an Accord too? See what a Honda Accord really costs over 5 years. Shopping used in general? See the true cost of a used car.