Compare 2012 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2012 Nissan Altima

2012 Chevrolet Malibu
2012 Nissan Altima
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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
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 $23,096 $24,640
Altima 2-Door Coupe I4 Manual 2.5 S 23 31 $22,534 $24,040
Altima 2-Door Coupe V6 CVT 3.5 SR 20 27 $26,842 $28,970
Altima 2-Door Coupe V6 Manual 3.5 SR 18 27 $28,904 $31,200
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 23 32 $19,699 $20,550
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 S 23 32 $21,290 $22,710
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 SL 23 32 $21,290 $22,710
Altima 4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SR 20 27 $23,697 $25,570
Pricing
Invoice Price
$21,115
$23,096
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$22,110
$24,640
Monthly Payment Estimate
$369 / month
$411 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.8
7.6
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 Nissan Altima isn't as roomy as the newest mid-offerings, but as a coupe or as a sedan, it's one of the best-looking and most sporty mid-sizers.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
22 mpg 23 mpg
Highway
33 mpg 32 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Midsize Midsize
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
52.1 47.6
Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.9 53.9
Passenger Volume (ft³)
97.7 89.3
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
5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
53.0 54.2
Second Leg Room (in)
37.6 34.4
Front Head Room (in)
39.4 39.7
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Front (in)
59.6 61.0
Min Ground Clearance (in)
- TBD - 5.3
Length, Overall (in)
191.8 180.9
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
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
15.1 8.2
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.9 x - TBD - 11.5 x 0.4
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.7 x - TBD - 11.7 x 1.0
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
16.0 20.0
Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
16.4 16.2
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
39.4 34.7
Steering Type
Electric Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.7 2.83
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD -
Tires
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P225/50R17 P215/55TR17
Spare Tire Size
NA T135/90D16
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/50R17 P215/55TR17
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA 100
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA 1000
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3432 3124
Wheels
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 17 x 7.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 17 x 7.5
Front Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
NA Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
7.5 8.0
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
525 - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
- TBD - 110
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
160 @ 4500 180 @ 3900
Engine Order Code
LE5 NA
Displacement
2.4L/145 2.5L/- TBD -
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
169 @ 6400 175 @ 5600
Engine Type
Gas 4-Cyl Gas I4
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
33 32
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
22 23
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
26 26
Transmission
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.84 NA
Trans Type
6 1
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 NA
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
2.88 1.75
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.87 NA
Trans Order Code
MH8 NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.77 5.79
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.41 NA
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/manual shift Continuously Variable Ratio
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.74 NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.48 - TBD -
Summary
Vehicle Name
Chevrolet Malibu Nissan Altima
Body Style
4 Door Sedan 2 Door Coupe
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
0.87 0.86
Suspension Type - Rear
4-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut Strut
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
0.75 0.68
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
6 6
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.2 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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