2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Subaru Legacy

2018 Chevrolet Malibu

2018 Subaru Legacy

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

2.5i

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Legacy 2.5i	25	34	$20,979	$22,195
Legacy 2.5i Limited	25	34	$27,317	$29,095
Legacy 2.5i Premium	25	34	$22,946	$24,295
Legacy 2.5i Sport	25	34	$24,835	$26,345
Legacy 3.6R Limited	20	28	$29,897	$31,945

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$26,803

$20,979

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$27,920

$22,195

Monthly Payment Estimate

$465 / month

$370 / 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 Subaru Legacy may be the best mid-size sedan that buyers largely miss. It skips performance for a good safety record and relative value—not bad things.

TCC Likes

Attractive looks
Refined demeanor
Good fuel efficiency

Sparkling safety scorecard
Better interior materials
All-wheel-drive confidence

TCC Dislikes

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

Average performance
Thirsty optional engine
Plain exterior

Fuel Economy

City

49 mpg

25 mpg

Highway

43 mpg

34 mpg

Vehicle

Number of Passenger Doors

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Mid-Size Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.1

57.3

Front Leg Room (in)

42.0

42.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

100.0

104.6

Front Hip Room (in)

54.1

55.5

Second Leg Room (in)

38.1

Front Head Room (in)

39.1

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

53.4

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.5

58.1

Second Head Room (in)

37.5

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

57.6

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.5

62.8

Wheelbase (in)

111.4

108.3

Liftover Height (in)

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

73.0

72.4

Track Width, Front (in)

62.6

62.2

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.9

Length, Overall (in)

193.8

188.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

11.6

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

- TBD -

11.8

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 -

11.6

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.0

18.5

Steering

Steering Type

Electric Rack & Pinion

Rack-Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.8

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.8

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.0

36.8

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

RA9

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/55R17

P225/55VR17

Rear Tire Order Code

RA9

Front Tire Size

P225/55R17

P225/55VR17

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3366

3514

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

17 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

17 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

110

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

490

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

124 @ 5000

175 @ 5800

Engine Type

Gas/Electric I4

Regular Unleaded H-4

Fuel System

Direct Injection

Sequential MPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

129 @ 4750

174 @ 4000

Engine Order Code

LKN

Displacement

1.8L/110

2.5 L/152

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.67

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Order Code

MKE

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.64

3.90

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

3.58 - 0.62

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Malibu

Subaru Legacy

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Four-Link

Double Wishbone

Emissions

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

3.8

6.0

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

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