2013 Chevrolet Malibu vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 7.8 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Mar 7, 2013

The 2013 Chevy Malibu enters a dogfight with a host of family sedans that offer better interior space, quicker acceleration, higher fuel economy, or more dazzling infotainment features--sometimes all of those things combined.

The latest Toyota Camry really doesn't advance the argument that it should be the best-selling car in America, but it is, as much due to its reputation for longevity as for its smooth, unremarkable performance and its high-economy Hybrid companion.

The new Nissan Altima is a formidable piece of work, rated at 38 mpg highway in base trim, and offered with a powerful V-6.

Its CVT is better than ever, and so are its front seats and ride quality, though it's no longer the most sporty family sedan.

The Sonata and Optima are twins under the skin, with similar turbo and hybrid drivetrains on offer; they're the most audacious-looking vehicles in the segment, and have strong value in all versions but especially in base trim.

Finally, the Volkswagen Passat is now made in America, and it's taken on some local color; it's bigger than ever, with an immense back seat; the turbodiesel is by far the version we'd recommend for responsiveness and 43-mpg highway fuel economy, but some safety and infotainment features haven't made their way into the portfolio as of yet.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Hyundai Sonata Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Kia Optima Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Nissan Altima Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Toyota Camry Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Volkswagen Passat Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
7.8 Thinking small makes the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu a more sporty sedan, but doesn't help its rear-seat space at all.	8.6 With a standout design; perky performance; great gas mileage; and exceptional value for the money, the 2013 Hyundai Sonata is one of the best buys among mid-size sedans.	8.6 The 2013 Kia Optima adds generous dashes of style and sophistication to what's otherwise a sensible, frugal, and spacious mid-size sedan.	8.2 Briskly updated in the right ways, the 2013 Nissan Altima sedan promises good looks and great gas mileage for those who don't mind a CVT.	7.6 The 2013 Toyota Camry is no standout for design, but it's more than ever the sensible pick for those who value comfort, value, and frugality above all else.	7.8 Marginally less refined than the last version, today's VW Passat hits important marks with excellent diesel fuel economy, superior passenger space and top safety scores.
MSRP From
$21,995	$20,895	$21,350	$21,760	$22,235	$20,845
Gas Mileage
21 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy	21 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy	20 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I5
EPA Class
Midsize Cars	Large Cars	Midsize Cars	Midsize	Midsize	Mid-Size
Style Name
4dr Sedan LS w/1LS	4dr Sedan 2.4L Auto GLS Ltd Avail	4dr Sedan LX	4dr Sedan I4 2.5	4dr Sedan I4 Auto L (Natl)	4dr Sedan 2.5L Manual S
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
4	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	4 Door Sdn
Transmission
Automatic	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Automatic w/manual shift	Continuously Variable Ratio	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Manual