Korea was the first market to get the Malibu, in late 2011, followed by China later in 2011 and North America beginning in early 2012. The Malibu made its Middle Eastern debut in 2012 replacing the Holden VE Commodore based Lumina. In Europe, the Malibu replaced the Chevrolet Epica. The facelifted Malibu was never sold in Europe. In the Philippines, the Malibu was introduced in late 2013 for the 2014 model year, where it replaced the Chevrolet Lumina, marking Chevrolet's return to the executive sedan segment since the Lumina was discontinued in the mid 2000s. The car was sold there until 2017, and was assembled in South Korea. In North America, the eighth generation Malibu continued to be sold in 2016 as the Malibu Limited as the next generation went on sale. It was mostly identical to the 2015 model, but only featured the 2013 I4 engine variant (LCV instead of LKW) with auto stop-start. In China, the eighth generation Malibu remained in production alongside the ninth generation Malibu until 2019. It received a facelift in 2016. A 1.5-liter turbo engine was added for the 2017 model year. Powertrains The eighth generation Malibu was offered with four-cylinder engines and six-speed automatic transmissions. The North American version was offered in 2.5L. The European version was offered with a 2.4 L Ecotec engine with an aluminum block and cylinder head, and a 2.0 L Diesel (1,956 cc) VCDi developing 160 PS (120 kW). The version offered in the Middle East had the 2.4 L Ecotec engine. Also available was a 3.0 L V6 engine making 260 PS and 290 Nm. In the Australian market two Holden-badged versions were offered, the CD and the CDX, with the 2.4 L Ecotec or 2.0 L diesel. Engines Safety Standard safety features on the eighth generation Malibu include dual-stage front airbags for the driver and front passenger, along with pelvic/thorax side-impact and knee airbags up front also. Roof rail airbags with rollover protection are standard. Also available as option extras are second-row head/thorax side-impact airbags, lane departure warning system with forward collision alert and a rearview camera system. The US-made Malibu in its most basic Latin American configuration with 10 airbags received 4 stars for adult occupants and 1 star for toddlers from Latin NCAP in 2013. Reception In a March 2012 comparison test by Car and Driver, the “light electrification" Chevrolet Malibu Eco hybrid came