2008 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2008 Nissan Altima

2008 Chevrolet Malibu

2008 Nissan Altima

Select style

4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS	22	30	$18,805	$19,900
4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT	22	30	$20,019	$21,185
4-Door Sedan LT w/2LT	22	30	$21,772	$23,040
4-Door Sedan Hybrid	24	32	$22,580	$23,895
4-Door Sedan LTZ	17	26	$25,604	$27,095

Select style

4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.5

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.5	23	32	$18,243	$18,620
4-Door Sedan I4 Manual ULEV 2.5	23	31	$18,243	$18,620
4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.5 S	23	32	$19,196	$20,470
4-Door Sedan I4 Manual ULEV 2.5 S	23	31	$19,196	$20,470
2-Door Coupe I4 Manual 2.5 S	23	32	$19,644	$20,950
2-Door Coupe I4 Manual ULEV 2.5 S	23	32	$19,644	$20,950
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 S	23	32	$19,663	$20,970
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 SL	23	32	$19,663	$20,970
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT ULEV 2.5 S	23	31	$19,663	$20,970
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT ULEV 2.5 SL	23	31	$19,663	$20,970
2-Door Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S	23	31	$20,112	$21,450
2-Door Coupe I4 CVT ULEV 2.5 S	23	31	$20,112	$21,450
4-Door Sedan V6 Manual 3.5 SE	19	27	$22,681	$24,470
4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SE	19	26	$23,142	$24,970
2-Door Coupe V6 Manual 3.5 SE	19	27	$23,495	$25,350
4-Door Sedan I4 eCVT Hybrid	35	33	$23,881	$25,480
2-Door Coupe V6 CVT 3.5 SE	19	26	$23,956	$25,850
4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SL	19	26	$26,565	$28,670

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$18,805

$18,243

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$19,900

$18,620

Monthly Payment Estimate

$332 / month

$310 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.6

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

After years of being a second-stage alternative, the Malibu is a legitimate contender for best-in-class.

The 2008 Nissan Altima is a little sportier, though not less sensible.

TCC Likes

Smooth responsive engines and transmissions
Good fuel efficiency from four-cylinder models
Surprisingly elegant interior styling and materials

Base four-cylinder model is peppier than rivals
Very fuel-efficient with four-cylinder and CVT automatic
Especially torquey V-6 can keep up with some sports-cars

TCC Dislikes

Doesn’t feel very sporty
No Bluetooth hands-free interface
No screen-based nav system

Back-seat not especially roomy
No way to avoid gimmicky keyless ignition system
Four-cylinder models don’t include stability control

Fuel Economy

City

22 mpg

23 mpg

Highway

30 mpg

32 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

37.6

35.8

Front Head Room (in)

39.4

40.6

Passenger Volume (ft³)

97.7

100.7

Second Hip Room (in)

52.1

52.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.9

55.7

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

36.8

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.9

55.5

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

44.1

Front Hip Room (in)

53.0

56.8

Exterior Dimensions

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

27.6

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.3

70.7

Track Width, Front (in)

59.6

60.9

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

191.8

189.8

Height, Overall (in)

57.1

57.9

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.0

60.8

Wheelbase (in)

112.3

109.3

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.1

15.3

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.65 x - TBD -

11.7 x 1.02

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.87 x - TBD -

11.5 x 0.35

Brake Type

Pwr

Power

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

20.0

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.4

16.2

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

40.4

36.1

Steering Type

Electric Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.7

2.83

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P215/60R16

Rear Tire Order Code

QPE

Front Tire Size

P215/60R16

Spare Tire Size

Compact

T135/90D16

Front Tire Order Code

QPE

Spare Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3415

3112

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

16 x 7.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

16 x 7.0

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

7.5

8.0

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

550

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

110

Engine

Displacement

2.4L/146

2.5L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

169 @ 6400

175 @ 5600

Engine Type

Gas 4-Cyl

Gas I4

Fuel System

MFI

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

160 @ 4500

180 @ 3900

Engine Order Code

LE5

QR25

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.81

Trans Description Cont. Again

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.14

3.37

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.62

1.95

Trans Order Code

MN5

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.91

3.81

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.68

1.06

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Manual w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

First Gear Ratio (:1)

2.95

3.50

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.39

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Malibu

Nissan Altima

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.75

0.68

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.87

0.86

Suspension Type - Rear

4-Link Independent

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Independent Strut

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