2010 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2009 Ford Fusion

2010 Chevrolet Malibu

2009 Ford Fusion

Select style

4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS	22	30	$20,733	$21,825
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT	22	33	$21,579	$22,715
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT w/2LT	22	33	$23,916	$25,175
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LTZ	22	33	$25,607	$26,955

Select style

4-Door Sedan I4 S FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Fusion 4-Door Sedan I4 S FWD	20	29	$17,707	$19,035
Fusion 4-Door Sedan I4 SE FWD	20	29	$18,542	$20,175
Fusion 4-Door Sedan I4 SEL FWD	20	29	$20,464	$22,310
Fusion 4-Door Sedan V6 SE AWD	17	25	$22,295	$24,345
Fusion 4-Door Sedan V6 SE FWD	18	26	$20,631	$22,495
Fusion 4-Door Sedan V6 SEL AWD	17	25	$23,429	$25,605
Fusion 4-Door Sedan V6 SEL FWD	18	26	$21,765	$23,755

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$20,733

$17,707

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$21,825

$19,035

Monthly Payment Estimate

$364 / month

$317 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.6

Read Our Full Review

8.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu remains one of the strongest players in the mid-size sedan segments, though its rivals are certainly worth a look.

The 2009 Ford Fusion is a great choice for those who place their priorities on style and handling, but if interior space matters to you, look elsewhere.

TCC Likes

Attractive styling, inside and out
Smooth power delivery
Good fuel economy in four-cylinder models

Responsive steering/handling
Good looks
Cutting-edge entertainment systems

TCC Dislikes

No DVD-based navigation
Doesn't feel sporty, even with the V-6

No manual V-6 option
Fuel economy lags behind class leaders
Availability of stability control is limited

Fuel Economy

City

22 mpg

20 mpg

Highway

30 mpg

29 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize

Mid-Size Sedan

Interior Dimensions

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.9

57.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

97.7

100.4

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

37.8

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.9

56.5

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

42.3

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.0

54.0

Second Leg Room (in)

37.6

37.2

Front Head Room (in)

39.4

38.7

Second Hip Room (in)

52.1

53.3

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

191.8

190.2

Height, Overall (in)

57.1

57.2

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.0

61.3

Wheelbase (in)

112.3

107.4

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

28.3

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.3

80.1

Track Width, Front (in)

59.6

61.6

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.1

15.8

Brakes

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 -

- TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.65 x - TBD -

- TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

16.3

17.5

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.4

16.0

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

40.4

38.7

Steering Type

Electric Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.7

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/50R17

P205/60TR16

Spare Tire Size

- TBD -

Front Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Spare Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Rear Tire Size

P225/50R17

P205/60TR16

Rear Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3415

3181

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

- TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

16 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

16 x - TBD -

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

7.5

9.7

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Engine

Displacement

2.4L/146.5

2.3L/140

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

169 @ 6400

160 @ 6250

Engine Type

Gas 4-Cyl

Gas I4

Fuel System

MFI

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

160 @ 4500

156 @ 4250

Engine Order Code

LE5

99Z

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.23

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.76

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.14

3.17

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.62

1.84

Trans Order Code

MN5

445

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.91

4.39

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.68

0.97

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Manual

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

2.95

3.31

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Malibu

Ford Fusion

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.87

0.94

Suspension Type - Rear

4-Link Independent

Independent multi-link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Stabilizer bars

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Independent double wishbone

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.75

0.63

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Stabilizer bars

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.2

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