Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Optima
Overview | |
Years produced2001-2020 | Years produced1964-1965 |
MSRP$22,900 | MSRP$21,680 |
Listings3991 | Listings10221 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews9.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.3 out of 10 |
Reviews SummaryEven though Americans appear to be trading in cars for good, the midsize family sedan looks better than it’s ever been. Nearly every choice in the segment sports impressive design, engineering, and equipment, and the 2019 Kia Optima shows just how good a typical midsize car can be. From its stylish looks and wide range of engine choices to its roomy interior and sophisticated safety technologies, the 2019 Optima is more than just a great value. It’s a great car. | |
Reviews SummaryRodney Dangerfield was a legendary stand-up comedian, and while his on-stage shtick was all about how he didn’t get any respect, as a comedic talent he was held in the highest esteem. That’s not the case for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The oft-maligned Malibu literally gets no respect, which is too bad because with its most recent redesign for the 2016 model year, the car absolutely deserves it. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.4L 185 hp I4 | Engine1.5L 160 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower160 hp @ 5700 rpm |
MPG City24 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.4L 185 hp I4 | Engine Name1.5L 160 hp I4 |
Torque178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | Torque184 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower160 hp @ 5700 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City24 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.9 cu ft | Cargo Space15.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight3230 lbs | Curb Weight3086 lbs |
Height57.7 in | Height57.6 in |
Length191.1 in | Length193.8 in |
Width73.2 in | Width73.0 in |
Wheelbase110.4 in | Wheelbase111.4 in |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2001-2020 | 1964-1965 |
MSRP | $22,900 | $21,680 |
Listings | 10221 Shop all listings | |
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 9.0 out of 10Read full review | 8.3 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | ||
Summary | Even though Americans appear to be trading in cars for good, the midsize family sedan looks better than it’s ever been. Nearly every choice in the segment sports impressive design, engineering, and equipment, and the 2019 Kia Optima shows just how good a typical midsize car can be. From its stylish looks and wide range of engine choices to its roomy interior and sophisticated safety technologies, the 2019 Optima is more than just a great value. It’s a great car. | Rodney Dangerfield was a legendary stand-up comedian, and while his on-stage shtick was all about how he didn’t get any respect, as a comedic talent he was held in the highest esteem. That’s not the case for the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The oft-maligned Malibu literally gets no respect, which is too bad because with its most recent redesign for the 2016 model year, the car absolutely deserves it. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.4L 185 hp I4 | 1.5L 160 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm | 160 hp @ 5700 rpm |
MPG City | 24 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.4L 185 hp I4 | 1.5L 160 hp I4 |
Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
Horsepower | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm | 160 hp @ 5700 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 24 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.9 cu ft | 15.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3230 lbs | 3086 lbs |
Height | 57.7 in | 57.6 in |
Length | 191.1 in | 193.8 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 73.0 in |
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 111.4 in |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.
Popular vehicle comparisons
Kia Optima vs BMW 5 SeriesKia Optima vs Honda CivicMercedes-Benz E-Class vs Kia OptimaVolkswagen Golf GTI vs Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet Malibu vs Honda Civic HatchbackMercedes-Benz E-Class vs Chevrolet MalibuMercedes-Benz S-Class vs Kia OptimaHyundai Elantra vs Chevrolet MalibuAcura Integra vs Kia OptimaMINI Cooper vs Chevrolet MalibuAcura Integra vs Chevrolet MalibuHyundai Elantra vs Kia OptimaHyundai Sonata vs Kia OptimaToyota Prius vs Kia OptimaKia Optima vs Chevrolet CruzeKia Optima vs Honda Civic HatchbackKia Optima vs Subaru ImprezaMercedes-Benz C-Class vs Kia OptimaHonda Accord vs Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet Impala vs Chevrolet MalibuHonda Civic vs Chevrolet MalibuKia Optima vs MINI CooperChevrolet Malibu vs Kia K5Chevrolet Malibu vs BMW 5 Series
2023 Kia K5 vs 2024 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Kia K5 vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Acura Integra vs 2024 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Honda Civic vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2024 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Subaru Impreza vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2024 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Acura Integra vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Subaru Impreza vs 2024 Chevrolet Malibu2023 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback2023 Honda Civic vs 2024 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2023 Acura Integra2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2022 Honda Accord2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2023 Kia K52022 Toyota Prius vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class2022 MINI Cooper vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class2022 Kia K5 vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2022 Subaru Impreza2022 Subaru Impreza vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Kia K5 vs 2022 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Honda Accord vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Toyota Prius vs 2022 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Honda Civic vs 2023 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Honda Civic vs 2022 Chevrolet Malibu2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2023 Honda Civic2022 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2023 Subaru Impreza









































