Unfortunately, the American sedan market is a shadow of what it once was. If we turn back the clock 20-odd years, US roadways were still awash with domestically produced four-door models, and they were still the preferred choice for many Americans. However, a combination of less-than-favorable things like poor build quality in some cases, fierce competition from foreign automakers, and a general cooling to the sedan market as a whole has led to domestic automakers' decision to cut production in a major way.However, while some American-made sedans were on-the-outs when it came to build quality and reliability, others continued to shine, even near the very end. For example, the eighth-gen Chevrolet Malibu, particularly the 2015 model-year iteration, is considered one of the most reliable American sedans produced during the last two decades. While it's a bit humdrum, the '15 Malibu's penchant for reliability is joined by an extremely cheap price. A Long-Standing Chevy Nameplate ChevroletLong before the eighth-gen iteration hit the road in 2013, the Chevy Malibu was once one of the most popular nameplates to come out of the Detroit Giant. It was introduced in 1964 as a top-trimmed Chevelle, and was slotted into the lineup as a mid-size model. From 1964 until 1965, a Malibu SS model was offered, which boasted some performance-oriented upgrades and produced up to 375 horsepower courtesy of a 396 CID V8 in 1965. The SS iteration was replaced by the Chevelle SS in 1966.The second-gen Malibu entered the fold in 1968 sporting a much more youthful look to match its more-athletic sibling, the Chevelle. However, once the golden era of classic American muscle ended around 1972, the third-gen Malibu, released in 1973, received a much more grown-up look. It was during this generation that the Malibu became an entry-level model, and the Chevelle took the spot as the top-dog.Classic Auto Mall General Motors began its massive downsizing campaign in the late 1970s, leading to the Malibu getting another generational refresh for the 1978 model year. The Chevelle was no more, leaving the Malibu as the sole entrant. By this point, the Malibu had maintained a bestselling spot in Chevrolet's lineup. Unfortunately, Chevrolet would end up discontinuing the Malibu namesake in 1983, as the brand wanted to shrink its car lineup, while also focusing on pickup truck production. Re-emergence ChevroletIn 1997, Chevrolet decided to resurrect the Malibu after a 14-year hiatus. This fifth-gen iteration was smaller and more economically focused than its older predecessor, and showed the world a new direction for the nameplate. Its sixth-gen debuted in 2004 with an all-new design and a platform shared with the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra, both of which are Euro-market GM products. In 2008, the Malibu was refreshed yet again for its seventh generation, growing in size and price in an attempt to capitalize on a slightly higher-end portion of the US market. The Eighth-Gen: Malibu's King Of Reliability ChevroletCome 2013, the Malibu was ready for yet another generational refresh. A new platform awaited the new model, called the GM Epilson II vehicle architecture. However, when it comes to why the eighth-gen is so reliable, it boils down to a few key aspects, chief among which is its base engine option: a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder.Chevrolet The mill, part of GM's Ecotec engine family, takes advantage of a rather simple build, which is already a great indicator of reliability. It boasts variable valve timing, dual-overhead camshafts, and variable cam phasing. Each of its pistons is also treated to an oil squirter of its own, which helps keep the mill's bottom end lubricated, as well as cool. Its crankshaft is also forged, rather than cast, which helps with overall durability.Chevrolet Its transmission and front-wheel-drive drivetrain are also cited for providing a good bit of reliability. Its gearbox is a 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission built by GM. It utilizes something called a "clutch-to-clutch" configuration, which negates the need for more traditional bands during the shifting process. Its independent suspension setup is simple, consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link configuration at the back. So, Just How Reliable Is It? ChevroletAccording to JD Power, quite reliable. The site features four distinct categories in which to rate cars, those being quality & reliability, driving experience, resale, and dealership experience. In the reliability section, the 2015 Malibu scores a 92 out of a possible 100 points, an overwhelmingly positive score, earning it a "Best" rating. In addition, RepairPal.com reports the Malibu's average annual maintenance cost to be around $460 per year, lower than most other models in its class.Now, let's compare the '15 Malibu's JD Power rating with a few of its competitors, those being the Ford Fusion, the Toyota Camry, and the Nissan Altima. In the table below, we'll lay them all out, and see if any of them can hold a candle to our Malibu.As it turns out, they can't. Here's How Much You'll Pay For One ChevroletThis is where the next great aspect of the 2015 Malibu comes into play. At over a decade old, it's no surprise for any model – let alone a regular family sedan – to lose a good amount of its value. When it was new, Chevrolet slapped a $22,465 sticker price on the base, LS-trimmed Malibu. The top-spec LTZ grade was priced at $28,320 before any destination fees, taxes, or other costs were factored in. If we factor inflation into the equation, an LTZ-spec'd 2015 Malibu would cost about $39,500 today.As of this writing, a 2015 Chevy Malibu tends to fetch between $8,764 and $9,235 on the used market, depending on trim level. On average, Chevrolet models tend to depreciate a bit faster than others. While this is bad news for folks who may have bought a brand-new Chevy, it's great news for those who are interested in picking up a '15 Malibu second-hand. In the table below, let's take a look at how its current, base-level used price compares to the same competitors listed above:Typically, brands or specific models carrying high rates of depreciation do so for some specific reason, mainly poor build quality or, simply, a bad reputation. Chevrolet, to its credit, managed to right the ship somewhat when it comes to overall brand reliability. However, the Bowtie still sits at 20th out of 32 brands ranked by reliability by RepairPal.com. The 2015 Malibu found itself in a unique position, being an extremely reliable model sold by a brand that, at the time, was generally known for unreliable models. Caveats And Should You Buy One? ChevroletAfter reviewing the evidence, there isn't much preventing someone from picking up a well-sorted 2015 Malibu for themselves. But, there is something to keep in mind.While it is considered one of, if not the most reliable American sedans for its time period, it's still known for having one or two issues. For starters, the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine is considered generally unreliable, so be sure to stay away if you can live without forced induction. Not to mention, there have been issues reported regarding its electric power steering, which can fail and require a steering column replacement. The 2.5-liter, base engine is also known to blow intake gaskets, which can cause coolant leaks, oil leaks, or both.Chevrolet However, with a 92 out of 100 reliability rating from JD Power and an extremely low price, even with the few potential issues, it still seems like a good used buy in our book.