2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Kia Optima

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

2018 Kia Optima

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Select style

4-Door Sedan L

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

Select style

Automatic LX

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Automatic LX	25	36	$21,823	$22,600
Automatic S	23	32	$22,750	$23,600
DCT LX 1.6T	28	37	$23,058	$24,400
Automatic EX	24	34	$24,030	$25,700
Automatic SX	22	31	$28,580	$30,600

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$21,571

$21,823

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$21,680

$22,600

Monthly Payment Estimate

$361 / month

$377 / 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 returns with a new sportier trim and wide-ranging flexibility for a compelling price.

TCC Likes

Attractive looks
Refined demeanor
Good fuel efficiency

Comfortable ride
Numerous engine options
Straightforward interior layout

TCC Dislikes

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

Competitors are starting to look better
Lagging 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Compromised rear-seat head room for some

Fuel Economy

City

27 mpg

25 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Mid-Size Cars

Number of Passenger Doors

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Capacity

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

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

62.6

63.5

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

63.8

Wheelbase (in)

111.4

110.4

Liftover Height (in)

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.0

73.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.8

15.9

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

- TBD -

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

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.8

18.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

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

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

R83

Front Tire Size

P205/65R16

P205/65HR16

Spare Tire Size

T125/80R16

Front Tire Order Code

R83

Spare Tire Order Code

ZAM

Rear Tire Size

P205/65R16

P205/65HR16

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)

3108

3219

Wheels

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

16 X 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16"

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

16 X 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

800

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

150

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184 @ 2500-3000

178 @ 4000

Engine Order Code

LFV

Displacement

1.5L/91

2.4 L/144

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

160 @ 5700

185 @ 6000

Engine Type

Turbocharged Gas I4

Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Direct Injection

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

.075

0.77

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.58

4.21

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.91

1.80

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.94

3.38

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.96

2.64

Trans Order Code

MNH

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.23

2.88

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

1.39

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Automatic w/OD

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

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

5.9

6.1

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

2019 Malibu arriving; 2018s still in good supply
Employee Discount + $2,500 factory rebate on 2018s
Lease a 2018 from $199 for 36 months
$750 bonus with GM financing on 2018s

Get Your Price

2018 Kia Optima

2019 Optimas arriving; 2018s sold out
Bonus: Up to $2,500 customer cash
Finance: 0.0% for 60 months
Lease: From $199 for 36 months

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