The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu sits in the modern midsize sedan segment, where comfort, daily usability, and trim-level appearance play a bigger role in tire selection than one-size-fits-all replacement thinking. On this model, tire fitment changes noticeably by sub-model, with four primary radial sizes used across the lineup: 205/65R16, 225/55R17, 245/45R18, and 245/40R19. That means the real decision starts with confirming the exact trim and wheel diameter, then narrowing choices by sidewall style, tire series, and brand availability. For a stock Malibu, staying with the correct size is the first priority before comparing a touring-style look, a sportier presentation, or restoration-inspired sidewall treatments.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu uses four primary tire sizes, and they are tied to specific sub-models and wheel diameters rather than being interchangeable across the lineup. The first step is confirming the exact trim and whether the car is on 16-inch, 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch wheels. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to the type of radial tire you want within the correct size, including performance-oriented blackwall options and, in some cases, more appearance-driven sidewall choices.
205/65R16 is a metric radial size in which 205 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, this size is used on 16-inch-wheel sub-models and reflects a modern passenger-car fitment rather than a vintage sizing system. Its role in the Malibu lineup is straightforward: matching the wheel diameter and maintaining the intended fitment baseline. This is the size to verify when the car has the smaller factory-style wheel package and a comfort-oriented profile.
225/55R17 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 55-series profile, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. For the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, this size applies to certain LT configurations, so it should not be treated as universal across every trim. Available choices include BFGoodrich products in g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and Silvertown Radial lines, with blackwall, wide whitewall, and redline sidewall treatments. It is the right size to evaluate when the Malibu runs a 17-inch setup and the owner wants both fitment accuracy and meaningful appearance or series choice.
245/40R19 is a metric radial size in which 245 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 19 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, this size is used on specific higher-wheel-diameter configurations, including the Premier, so wheel confirmation matters before selection. Available products in this size are blackwall BFGoodrich options in the g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Comp 2 AS, and g-Force Phenom T/A series. This size belongs with a 19-inch Malibu wheel setup where preserving the intended diameter and profile relationship is more important than choosing by appearance alone.
245/45R18 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series profile, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim diameter. Within the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu range, it applies to certain trims such as the RS and some LT configurations, so it should be matched to the actual wheel package on the car. Product choices include BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and the Nitto NT555 G2, all in blackwall form. It is the right size to focus on when the Malibu has 18-inch wheels and the buyer is comparing series character, brand, and rim-width compatibility.
Tire fitment varies across the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu lineup, so identifying the exact sub-model is an important first step before choosing a replacement tire. Several trims use different wheel diameters, and the LT can appear with more than one primary size depending on its wheel setup.
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2020 Chevrolet Malibu L
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu L uses the 205/65R16 radial fitment, making tire selection relatively straightforward once the original 16-inch wheel setup is confirmed. The focus here is less about multiple fitment paths and more about staying with the correct size and checking that the car has not been changed to a different wheel package.
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LS also uses the 205/65R16 radial size, so replacement choice centers on keeping the correct 16-inch fitment rather than sorting through several primary sizes. Tire selection should begin with wheel confirmation, especially if the car has seen aftermarket wheel changes or a previous trim-based swap.
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT is the trim where fitment requires the most attention, because it can use 225/55R17, 245/45R18, or 245/40R19 radial tires. Tire selection starts with confirming the actual wheel diameter on the car, then comparing the available series, sidewall treatments, and brand choices within that exact size.
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Premier uses the 245/40R19 radial size, tying it to the 19-inch wheel package rather than the smaller Malibu fitments. Selection within this trim is mainly about choosing among the available blackwall performance-oriented radial series while keeping the correct size and wheel relationship intact.
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu RS uses the 245/45R18 radial fitment, so the key step is confirming the 18-inch wheel setup before comparing tires. Once the size is verified, the choice comes down to brand and series differences within that size rather than switching to another Malibu fitment.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Tires for Sale
Available 2020 Chevrolet Malibu tire choices center on the 17-inch, 18-inch, and 19-inch sizes, with BFGoodrich appearing across multiple g-Force and Silvertown Radial series and Nitto offered in 245/45R18. Blackwall is the dominant sidewall style, while 225/55R17 also includes wide whitewall and redline options.
These 2020 Chevrolet Malibu tire FAQs focus on exact trim-level size fitment, wheel diameter, available radial choices, sidewall and series differences, and the checks worth making before putting a modern Malibu back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu uses four primary tire sizes across its lineup: 205/65R16, 225/55R17, 245/45R18, and 245/40R19. All of them are radial sizes, but they do not apply to every Malibu trim in the same way. L and LS use 205/65R16, RS uses 245/45R18, Premier uses 245/40R19, and LT can appear with 225/55R17, 245/45R18, or 245/40R19.
The practical takeaway is that a Malibu owner should confirm the exact sub-model and actual wheel diameter before choosing a tire. Two cars from the same model year can require different sizes because their wheel packages differ. If the car has had aftermarket wheels or a previous trim-based wheel swap, checking the tire sidewall and measuring wheel diameter is especially important.
What size rim does a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu use?
A 2020 Chevrolet Malibu can use 16-inch, 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch rims, depending on the sub-model and wheel package. The 205/65R16 size uses a 16-inch rim, 225/55R17 uses a 17-inch rim, 245/45R18 uses an 18-inch rim, and 245/40R19 uses a 19-inch rim. Rim diameter is built directly into each tire size code.
That makes wheel confirmation the first fitment check whenever the car is being retired or has changed hands. A tire cannot be selected correctly by trim name alone if the wheels have been replaced. Looking at the sidewall size and matching it to the actual wheel diameter will prevent choosing a Malibu tire size that belongs to a different wheel package.
Why does the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu have more than one tire size?
The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu has more than one tire size because the lineup uses different wheel packages across its sub-models. Smaller-wheel trims use 205/65R16, while other configurations move to 17-inch, 18-inch, or 19-inch fitments. The LT is the clearest example, since it can use three different primary sizes depending on how the car was equipped.
That variation means replacement tires should be chosen by the car’s actual setup rather than by model name alone. A Malibu owner should verify the sub-model, current wheel diameter, and the size already mounted on the vehicle. That approach matters even more when the car may have had dealer-installed accessories, aftermarket wheels, or previous owner modifications.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu tire?
Start with the correct Malibu tire size for the exact trim and wheel diameter, then compare construction details within that size. All primary 2020 Chevrolet Malibu fitments here are radial, so the main variables become brand, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility. On the 17-inch fitment, appearance choices also widen with blackwall, wide whitewall, and redline options.
Selection should match how the car is actually used and presented. A stock daily-driven Malibu usually benefits most from staying with the existing size and wheel package, while an appearance-focused build may place more importance on sidewall treatment. It also helps to compare rim-width specifications and load figures where shown, especially if the car is running replacement wheels.
What sidewall styles are available for 2020 Chevrolet Malibu tires?
Sidewall style depends on the Malibu tire size you are shopping. Blackwall is the main sidewall treatment across the available 17-inch, 18-inch, and 19-inch products, but the 225/55R17 size also offers wide whitewall and redline choices in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial series. Those options create a very different visual effect from a standard modern blackwall tire.
The right sidewall style comes down to the look you want and the size your Malibu actually uses. A whitewall or redline may suit an owner after a more distinctive presentation, while blackwall keeps a more conventional modern-sedan appearance. Sidewall treatment should always be a secondary decision after confirming the correct size and 17-inch wheel fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
BFGoodrich is the main brand across the available 2020 Chevrolet Malibu fitments shown here, covering 225/55R17, 245/40R19, and 245/45R18 in several g-Force and Silvertown Radial series. Nitto also appears in the 245/45R18 size with the NT555 G2. Brand choice therefore depends partly on which Malibu size and wheel package the car uses.
Comparing brands makes the most sense after the correct tire size has been locked in. From there, the decision can shift to series character, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility instead of choosing on brand name alone. A Malibu owner with 18-inch wheels has the broadest cross-brand comparison here, while other sizes are narrower in brand variation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
A period-style 2020 Chevrolet Malibu still needs to begin with the correct trim-specific size, because the car uses four different primary fitments across the lineup. Once the size is confirmed, the 225/55R17 offerings stand out for appearance-driven selection thanks to available Silvertown Radial choices with wide whitewall and redline sidewalls. Those options create a more stylized presentation than a standard blackwall.
Appearance should be balanced against how the car is actually equipped and used. A period-style look on a modern Malibu works best when the tire size, wheel diameter, and overall stance remain consistent with the car’s setup. If exact visual authenticity matters for a custom build or show theme, comparing photos and wheel proportions before purchase is worthwhile.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
On the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, the primary fitments are all radial, so appearance differences come less from construction changes and more from tire series and sidewall style. A blackwall performance-oriented radial presents the car differently than a wide whitewall or redline radial in the same basic size family. That is especially noticeable in the 225/55R17 fitment.
For an appearance-focused Malibu, the visible sidewall treatment often matters more than the radial construction itself. The key is avoiding a style choice that conflicts with the actual wheel package or trim presentation. Keeping the correct size and proportion in place will usually preserve the car’s visual balance better than chasing a more dramatic sidewall on the wrong wheel diameter.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu even when the car started with one of the correct factory-size combinations. Wheel changes, altered offsets, suspension lowering, or body changes can all influence how a 205/65R16, 225/55R17, 245/45R18, or 245/40R19 tire sits in the wheel opening. That matters because Malibu fitment already varies by trim and wheel diameter.
A modified Malibu should be checked at the wheel itself rather than assumed to match the original trim specification. Clearance at full steering lock, fender room, and wheel-width suitability are all worth reviewing before replacing tires. Even when the sidewall shows a familiar Malibu size, the rest of the wheel and suspension setup may have changed what works safely.
What should I inspect before driving a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu on new tires?
Before driving a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu on new tires, confirm that the installed size matches the car’s actual wheel diameter and trim-level setup. Check that each tire is seated properly, inflated evenly, and free from shipping damage or mounting damage. It is also wise to look over the wheels for bends and the valve stems for age or leakage issues.
A quick walkaround after installation can prevent larger problems later. Watch for uneven clearance, rubbing during parking-lot turns, or vibration that may point to balance or wheel issues. On a Malibu that has changed wheels over time, this inspection matters even more because a correct tire size on paper still needs to work with the car’s real-world wheel and suspension condition.
How often should tires on a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu be inspected?
Tires on a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu should be inspected regularly, not just when replacement is overdue. A visual check for uneven wear, punctures, sidewall cuts, bulges, and pressure loss is worthwhile on a routine basis, especially if the car is driven daily or parked outdoors. Modern radial tires can hide early problems until ride quality or handling begins to change.
A monthly inspection habit is a sensible starting point, with another check before a longer drive. Looking at tread wear across the full width of the tire can also reveal alignment or inflation issues early. Malibu owners running larger 18-inch or 19-inch wheel packages may want to be especially attentive to impact damage from potholes and curb contact.
