Does the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu need premium gas?
It depends on the trim. Some versions take premium and some take regular — check your exact engine/transmission below.
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 30 | $2,100 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, FWD | PREMIUM | 26 | $2,950 |
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.
2 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov · retrieved 2026-06-14.