2011 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2011 Nissan Altima

2011 Chevrolet Malibu

2011 Nissan Altima

Select style

4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS	22	33	$20,876	$21,975
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT	22	33	$21,826	$22,975
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT w/2LT	22	33	$24,115	$25,385
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LTZ	22	33	$25,806	$27,165

Select style

2-Door Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Altima 2-Door Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S	23	32	$22,385	$23,880
Altima 2-Door Coupe I4 Manual 2.5 S	23	31	$21,917	$23,380
Altima 2-Door Coupe V6 CVT 3.5 SR	20	27	$26,139	$28,210
Altima 2-Door Coupe V6 Manual 3.5 SR	18	27	$28,294	$30,540
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5	23	32	$19,431	$20,270
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 S	23	32	$21,028	$22,430
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 SL	23	32	$21,028	$22,430
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 eCVT Hybrid	33	33	$25,116	$26,800
Altima 4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SR	20	27	$23,272	$25,110

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$20,876

$22,385

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$21,975

$23,880

Monthly Payment Estimate

$366 / month

$398 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.8

Read Our Full Review

7.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu isn't edgy or high-performance, but it has everything that most mid-size sedan shoppers seek.

The 2011 Nissan Altima isn't quite as roomy as some mid-size rivals, but it's one of the sportiest-driving choices.

TCC Likes

Handsome styling inside and out
Smooth, isolated powertrains
Good fuel economy (four-cylinder)

Fuel efficiency (Hybrid or four-cylinder)
Responsive handling
Simple but comfortable interior

TCC Dislikes

No on-screen navigation
Doesn't feel sporty, even with the V-6

Tight backseat
Mandatory keyless ignition
Hybrid powertrain uneasy in highway cruising

Fuel Economy

City

22 mpg

23 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

32 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

35.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.9

52.4

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

42.5

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.0

54.2

Second Leg Room (in)

37.6

34.4

Front Head Room (in)

39.4

39.7

Second Hip Room (in)

52.1

47.6

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.9

53.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

97.7

89.3

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

57.1

55.9

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.0

61.2

Wheelbase (in)

112.3

105.3

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

26.2

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.3

70.7

Track Width, Front (in)

59.6

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

5.3

Length, Overall (in)

191.8

180.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.1

8.2

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.87 x - TBD -

11.5 x 0.35

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 -

11.7 x 1.02

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

16.4

20.0

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

39.4

34.7

Steering Type

Electric Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.7

2.83

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.4

16.2

Tires

Spare Tire Size

T135/706

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/50R17

P215/55TR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/50R17

P215/55TR17

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3432

3124

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

17 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

17 x 7.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

7.5

8.0

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

110

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

169 @ 6400

175 @ 5600

Engine Type

Gas 4-Cyl

Gas I4

Fuel System

SFI

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

160 @ 4500

180 @ 3900

Engine Order Code

LE5

QR25DE

Displacement

2.4L/145

2.5L/- TBD -

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.88

1.75

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.87

Trans Order Code

MH8

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.77

5.80

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.41

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Continuously Variable

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.74

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.48

2.35 - 0.39

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.84

Trans Type

Summary

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

2 Door Coupe

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Malibu

Nissan Altima

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.87

0.86

Suspension Type - Rear

4-Link Independent

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Stabilizer Bar

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Independent Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.75

0.68

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Stabilizer Bar & Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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

7.2

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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