Compare 2012 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2012 Ford Fusion vs 2012 Hyundai Sonata

2012 Chevrolet Malibu
X
2012 Ford Fusion
X
2012 Hyundai Sonata
X
Select style
4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS 22 33 $21,115 $22,110
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT 22 33 $22,296 $23,470
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT w/2LT 22 33 $24,985 $26,300
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT w/3LT 17 26 $26,885 $28,300
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LTZ w/1LZ 22 33 $27,027 $28,600
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LTZ w/2LZ 17 26 $28,539 $30,200
Select style
4-Door Sedan Hybrid FWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Fusion 4-Door Sedan Hybrid FWD 41 36 $26,437 $28,775
Fusion 4-Door Sedan S FWD 22 29 $19,381 $20,705
Fusion 4-Door Sedan SE FWD 23 33 $21,217 $22,975
Fusion 4-Door Sedan SEL AWD 17 25 $26,613 $28,970
Fusion 4-Door Sedan SEL FWD 23 33 $23,423 $25,425
Fusion 4-Door Sedan SPORT AWD 17 25 $26,797 $29,175
Fusion 4-Door Sedan SPORT FWD 18 27 $25,043 $27,225
Select style
4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic Limited
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic Limited 22 34 $26,345 $28,195
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic Limited w/Wine Int 22 34 $26,345 $28,195
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic SE 22 34 $23,400 $24,745
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic GLS 24 35 $19,916 $20,795
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic GLS PZEV 24 35 $19,916 $20,795
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Hybrid 34 39 $24,434 $25,850
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Limited 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Limited PZEV 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Limited PZEV w/Wine Int 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Limited w/Wine Int 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic SE 24 35 $21,952 $23,195
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual GLS 24 35 $18,971 $19,795
Pricing
Invoice Price
$21,115
$26,437
$26,345
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$22,110
$28,775
$28,195
Monthly Payment Estimate
$369 / month
$480 / month
$470 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.8
8.2
8.6
TCC’s Bottom Line
It's one of GM's best-executed products of the past few years, and even in its final year on sale, the 2012 Chevy Malibu still ranks highly for its spacious cabin, smooth performance and handsome silhouette. The 2012 Ford Fusion stays at the top of its game, especially as a Hybrid, with perky handling and its cut-above looks. After more than a decade on the market, the latest Hyundai Sonata's an overnight success--thanks to great gas mileage, grabby styling, and exceptional value for the dollar.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
22 mpg 41 mpg 22 mpg
Highway
33 mpg 36 mpg 34 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Midsize Mid-Size Sedan Large Cars
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
52.1 53.3 54.9
Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.9 57.4 57.9
Passenger Volume (ft³)
97.7 99.8 103.8
Second Head Room (in)
37.2 37.8 37.2
Second Shoulder Room (in)
53.9 56.5 56.7
Front Leg Room (in)
42.2 42.3 45.5
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
53.0 54.0 55.2
Second Leg Room (in)
37.6 36.7 34.6
Front Head Room (in)
39.4 38.7 38.2
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Front (in)
59.6 61.7 62.5
Min Ground Clearance (in)
- TBD - - TBD - 5.5
Length, Overall (in)
191.8 190.6 189.8
Height, Overall (in)
57.1 56.9 57.9
Track Width, Rear (in)
60.0 61.3 62.5
Wheelbase (in)
112.3 107.4 110.0
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
70.3 72.2 72.2
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
15.1 11.8 16.4
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.9 x - TBD - - TBD - 11.2 x 0.4
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr Pwr-Assisted
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.7 x - TBD - - TBD - 11.8 x 1.1
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
16.0 17.5 18.5
Steering
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
16.4 16.0 14.5
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
39.4 37.7 35.8
Steering Type
Electric Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.7 - TBD - 2.94
Tires
Rear Tire Order Code
NA T7C NA
Front Tire Size
P225/50R17 P225/50VR17 P225/45R18
Spare Tire Size
NA Compact T125/80D16
Front Tire Order Code
NA T7C NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA - TBD - NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/50R17 P225/50VR17 P225/45R18
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3432 3720 3452
Wheels
Spare Wheel Material
NA Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 17 x - TBD - 18 x 7.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 17 x - TBD - 18 x 7.5
Front Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum Aluminum
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
7.5 - TBD - 2.8
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
525 - TBD - - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
- TBD - - TBD - 110
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
160 @ 4500 - TBD - 269 @ 1750-4500
Engine Order Code
LE5 993 NA
Displacement
2.4L/145 2.5L/152 2.0L/122
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
169 @ 6400 191 combined 274 @ 6000
Engine Type
Gas 4-Cyl Gas/Electric I4 Turbocharged Gas I4
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection Direct Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
33 36 34
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
22 41 22
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
26 39 26
Transmission
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.74 NA 0.77
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.48 - TBD - 4.65
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.84 NA 1.84
Trans Type
6 1 6
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 NA 1.00
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
2.88 - TBD - 3.39
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.87 NA 2.83
Trans Order Code
MH8 44H NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.77 2.57 2.89
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.41 NA 1.39
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/manual shift Continuously Variable Ratio Automatic w/manual shift
Summary
Vehicle Name
Chevrolet Malibu Ford Fusion Hyundai Sonata
Body Style
4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sedan
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
0.87 0.9 0.94
Suspension Type - Rear
4-Link Multi-link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut Short-Long Arm MacPherson
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
0.75 0.6 0.59
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA NA NA
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
6 9 6
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.2 4.7 7.1
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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