Chevrolet Malibu Limited vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Chevrolet Malibu LimitedLS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LS | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2016 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Chevrolet Malibu LimitedLS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $22,565 (best) | $23,995 |
| Lowest listing price | — | $7,493 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $23,484 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $30,554 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 80 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Chevrolet Malibu LimitedLS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 27 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 24 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Chevrolet Malibu LimitedLS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 197 hp (best) | 158 hp |
| Torque | 191 lb-ft (best) | 184 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Chevrolet Malibu LimitedLS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 16.3 cu ft (best) | 14.1 cu ft |
| Payload | — | 915 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | — | 2,998 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 107.8 in (best) | 105.7 in |
| Length | 191.5 in (best) | 186.5 in |
| Width | 73 in (best) | 70.8 in |
| Height | 57.6 in | 57.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Chevrolet Malibu LimitedLS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 1 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Chevrolet Malibu Limited | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LS $22,565 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LS Fleet $22,565 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | LT $23,835 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | LTZ $28,420 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | — | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
Live inventory
Volkswagen Jetta80 for sale
See all
Used2024 Volkswagen Jetta
SE
Rising Blue Metallic58,656 mi$20,475Tadd Jenkins Auto Sales Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, ID
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,363Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,549Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Deep Black Pearl•Black12 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Pure White•Black15 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Platinum Gray Metallic•Titan Black13 mi$26,061Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Chevrolet Malibu Limited vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited starts lower at $22,565. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (22,565).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better horsepower: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on horsepower in this comparison (228).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Chevrolet Malibu Limited (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).