Bolder looks, new light signature, better-equipped trims
Chevrolet refreshed its 2019 Malibu, Cruze and Spark with new frontal grilles and other goodies, trying to keep them appealing on a market that's currently obsessed with crossovers and SUVs
It gets more and more difficult to sell sedans and hatchbacks on the US market (or any market), so Chevrolet had to come with an extensive refresh for its small, compact and mid-size car offering. The new grilles are more sculpted, sportier and integrate new `signature headlamps`. Here's what's new for 2019:
2019 Chevrolet Malibu – the first-ever Malibu RS
You can get sporty looks with the new Malibu RS. The model features blacked-out styling cues including a black sport grille, black bowtie emblems, a rear spoiler, 18-inch machined wheels and dual-outlet exhaust. The interior features a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, black cloth seats and standard 8-inch diagonal touchscreen for the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system.
For the models with the 1.5L turbocharged engine, a new CVT transmission is now standard. The Premier trim retains its 2.0L Turbo paired to a nine-speed automatic. The Malibu RS trim is available on five Malibu models and starts at $25,000.
2019 Chevrolet Cruze – small design changes
In addition to the updated front fascia styling, the 2019 Cruze receives new interior color options, new infotainment system utilizing a standard 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen and expanded availability of remote start and automatic climate control, which are now standard on LT and Premier models.
The first-ever LS Hatch trim is added to the Cruze Hatch line. The Hatchback model claimed 20 percent of all Cruze sales in its first full year of production. The model keeps its active safety features, including It also features 4G LTE connectivity and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot (with limited service trial), and one of the segment’s biggest rosters of available active safety features, including Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Rear Park Assist, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Front pedestrian braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane, Departure Warning, and Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking.
2019 Chevrolet Spark – new grille, colors
The small Spark still dominates its segment, and the new front-end styling with cues inspired by the updated Malibu and Cruze should help it continue to sell well. It also gets new exterior colors options, revised interior trim and an additional available active safety feature: Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking.
The 2019 Spark is offered in LS, LT, 2LT and ACTIV trims, with the ACTIV featuring crossover-inspired design cues and a ride height raised by 10mm. All trims feature standard air conditioning, 10 standard airbags and a rear-vision camera system. New, segment-exclusive Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking joins the available Driver Confidence Package, complementing the package’s additional active safety features, Forward Collision Alert1 and Lane Departure Warning.
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