2020 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2020 Volkswagen Passat

2020 Chevrolet Malibu

2020 Volkswagen Passat

Select style

4-Door Sedan L

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Malibu 4-Door Sedan L	29	36	$22,117	$22,140
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS	29	36	$22,432	$23,270
Malibu 4-Door Sedan LT	29	36	$25,709	$26,670
Malibu 4-Door Sedan Premier	22	32	$32,168	$33,370
Malibu 4-Door Sedan RS	29	36	$23,396	$24,270

Select style

2.0T R-Line Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Passat 2.0T R-Line Automatic	23	34	$27,471	$28,645
Passat 2.0T S Automatic	23	34	$22,052	$22,995
Passat 2.0T SE Automatic	23	34	$24,786	$25,845
Passat 2.0T SEL Automatic	23	34	$29,820	$31,095

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$22,117

$27,471

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$22,140

$28,645

Monthly Payment Estimate

$369 / month

$477 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

5.8

Read Our Full Review

5.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu is a handsome mid-size sedan that’s overshadowed by competitors in terms of standard features.

The 2020 VW Passat’s new-look exterior comes for free; it’s the same price or less than the outgoing version.

TCC Likes

Sharp styling
Good turbo performance
Great standard infotainment

Good base price
Standard active safety features
Good looks outside

TCC Dislikes

No more hybrid
Active safety gear still extra
Boring interior design

Clunky 6-speed automatic
Top trims aren’t impressive
Outdated touchscreen already

Fuel Economy

City

29 mpg

23 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

34 mpg

Vehicle

Number of Passenger Doors

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

53.4

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.5

56.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

102.9

102

Second Head Room (in)

37.5

37.8

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.1

Front Leg Room (in)

41.5

42.4

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

54.1

Second Leg Room (in)

38.1

39.1

Front Head Room (in)

39.1

38.3

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

62.6

62.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

5.4

Length, Overall (in)

194.2

193.6

Height, Overall (in)

57.9

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.5

Wheelbase (in)

111.4

110.4

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.7

15.9

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.3 x - TBD -

10.7

Brake Type

Pwr

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8 x - TBD -

12.3

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.8

18.5

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.0

36.4

Steering Type

Electric Rack & Pinion

Rack-Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

N/A

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

R83

Front Tire Size

P205/65R16

P235/40HR19

Spare Tire Size

T125/80R16

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

R83

Spare Tire Order Code

ZAM

Rear Tire Size

P205/65R16

P235/40HR19

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3126

3325

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x 7.5

19 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x 7.5

19 X 8

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

184 @ 2500-3000

206 @ 1700

Engine Order Code

LFV

Displacement

1.5L/91

2.0 L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

160 @ 5700

174 @ 5200

Engine Type

Turbocharged Gas I4

Intercooled Turbo 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

Clutch Size (in)

N/A

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.56

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.51

Trans Order Code

MRG

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

5.10

3.88

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.14

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

First Gear Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

4.46

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Malibu

Volkswagen Passat

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

N/A

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Four-Link

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

N/A

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Strut

Emissions

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

5.5

6.6

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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