Does the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu need premium gas?
Fuel grade varies by trim — see the breakdown below.
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl, S6 automatic, FWD | REGULAR | 26 | $2,400 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 25 | $2,500 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 22 | $2,850 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl, S6 automatic, FWD | REGULAR | 20 | $3,100 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, FWD | FLEX-FUEL | 23 | $2,700 |
The EPA records the fuel each version was tested on. Whether premium is strictly required or just recommended is an owner's-manual detail the EPA dataset doesn't include — so we don't guess it.
5 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov · retrieved 2026-06-14.