2012 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2012 Nissan Altima

2012 Chevrolet Malibu

2012 Nissan Altima

Select style

4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS	22	33	$21,115	$22,110
4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT	22	33	$22,296	$23,470
4-Door Sedan LT w/2LT	22	33	$24,985	$26,300
4-Door Sedan LT w/3LT	17	26	$26,885	$28,300
4-Door Sedan LTZ w/1LZ	22	33	$27,027	$28,600
4-Door Sedan LTZ w/2LZ	17	26	$28,539	$30,200

Select style

4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5	23	32	$19,699	$20,550
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 S	23	32	$21,290	$22,710
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 SL	23	32	$21,290	$22,710
2-Door Coupe I4 Manual 2.5 S	23	31	$22,534	$24,040
2-Door Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S	23	32	$23,096	$24,640
4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SR	20	27	$23,697	$25,570
2-Door Coupe V6 CVT 3.5 SR	20	27	$26,842	$28,970
2-Door Coupe V6 Manual 3.5 SR	18	27	$28,904	$31,200

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$21,115

$19,699

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$22,110

$20,550

Monthly Payment Estimate

$369 / month

$343 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.8

Read Our Full Review

7.6

Read Our Full Review

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

Nicely underplayed look
Powertrains are smooth
Four-cylinder's good fuel economy

Still one of the best-looking mid-sizers
Responsive handling
Simple, comfortable interior

TCC Dislikes

Navigation isn't on-board
Even V-6 lacks sporty feel
V-6 gas mileage lags

Back seat can seem tight
Pushbutton start, whether you want it or not
Some interior materials look drab

Fuel Economy

City

22 mpg

23 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

32 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

52.1

52.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.9

55.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

97.7

100.7

Second Head Room (in)

37.2

36.8

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.9

55.5

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

44.1

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.0

56.8

Second Leg Room (in)

37.6

35.8

Front Head Room (in)

39.4

40.6

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

59.6

61.0

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

5.4

Length, Overall (in)

191.8

190.7

Height, Overall (in)

57.1

58.0

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.0

61.0

Wheelbase (in)

112.3

109.3

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

27.6

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.3

70.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.1

15.3

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.9 x - TBD -

11.5 x 0.4

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

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

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

16.4

16.2

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

39.4

36.1

Steering Type

Electric Pwr Rack & Pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.7

2.83

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/50R17

P215/60TR16

Spare Tire Size

T135/90D16

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/50R17

P215/60TR16

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

3180

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

16 x 7.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

16 x 7.0

Front Wheel Material

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

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

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.74

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.48

- TBD -

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.84

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.88

1.78

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.87

Trans Order Code

MH8

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.77

5.79

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.41

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/manual shift

Continuously Variable Ratio

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Malibu

Nissan Altima

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.87

0.86

Suspension Type - Rear

4-Link

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.75

0.68

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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

7.2

6.9

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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