2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Kia Optima

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

2018 Kia Optima

Select style

4-Door Sedan Hybrid w/1HY

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Malibu 4-Door Sedan Hybrid w/1HY	49	43	$26,803	$27,920
Malibu 4-Door Sedan L w/1VL	27	36	$21,571	$21,680
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS	27	36	$22,387	$23,320
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT	27	36	$24,211	$25,220
Malibu 4-Door Sedan Premier w/2LZ	22	32	$29,779	$31,020

Select style

EX Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Optima EX Automatic	24	34	$24,030	$25,700
Optima LX 1.6T DCT	28	37	$23,058	$24,400
Optima LX Automatic	25	36	$21,823	$22,600
Optima S Automatic	23	32	$22,750	$23,600
Optima SX Automatic	22	31	$28,580	$30,600
Optima Hybrid EX Automatic	39	46	$28,867	$30,990
Optima Hybrid Premium Automatic	39	46	$24,390	$25,995
Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX Automatic	N/A	N/A	$32,921	$35,210

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$26,803

$24,030

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$27,920

$25,700

Monthly Payment Estimate

$465 / month

$428 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.3

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

A solid effort, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu offers plenty of compelling reasons to lure customers into showrooms.

The 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid is a fuel-efficient pick among mid-sizers that doesn’t wear its eco credentials on its sleeves.

TCC Likes

Attractive looks
Refined demeanor
Good fuel efficiency

Competent ride
Sharp style
Quiet interior

TCC Dislikes

Basic Malibu L
Big engine relegated to high-spec model
Active-safety tech is pricey

Pricey advanced safety
Roof cuts into rear head room
Not a big leap in overall style

Fuel Economy

City

49 mpg

24 mpg

Highway

43 mpg

34 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Mid-Size Cars

Number of Passenger Doors

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

53.4

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.5

58.1

Second Head Room (in)

37.5

37.8

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.1

56.4

Front Leg Room (in)

42.0

45.5

Passenger Volume (ft³)

100.0

104.8

Front Hip Room (in)

54.1

Second Leg Room (in)

38.1

35.6

Front Head Room (in)

39.1

39.8

Passenger Capacity

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

Length, Overall (in)

193.8

191.1

Height, Overall (in)

57.6

57.7

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.5

63.4

Wheelbase (in)

111.4

110.4

Liftover Height (in)

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.0

73.2

Track Width, Front (in)

62.6

63.1

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

11.6

15.9

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

- TBD -

11.2

Brake Type

Pwr

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

- TBD -

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.0

18.5

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.8

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.0

Steering Type

Electric Rack & Pinion

Rack-Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.8

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

RA9

Front Tire Size

P225/55R17

P215/55VR17

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

RA9

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/55R17

P215/55VR17

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)

3366

3362

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

17 X 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

17 X 6.5

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

800

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

150

Engine

Engine Order Code

LKN

Displacement

1.8L/110

2.4 L/144

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

124 @ 5000

185 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas/Electric I4

Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Direct Injection

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

129 @ 4750

178 @ 4000

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)

1.80

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.38

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.64

Trans Order Code

MKE

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.64

2.88

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.39

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.77

First Gear Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

4.21

Summary

Body Style

Sedan

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Malibu

Kia Optima

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Four-Link

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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

3.8

6.3

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

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

From dealers near you

Go!

Compare 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Kia Optima

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

Add a Vehicle to Compare