Chevrolet Malibu vs Ford Focus
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2018 Ford Focus
Overview
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Ford FocusS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LS Fleet | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | 5-speed manual |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2018 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Ford FocusS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,700 | $17,950 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $8,500 | $6,423 (best) |
| Median listing price | $18,815 | $8,860 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $23,831 | $15,717 (best) |
| For sale now | 39 (best) | 5 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Ford FocusS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| City MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 25 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG (best) | 34 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal (best) | 12.4 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Ford FocusS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 163 hp (best) | 160 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft (best) | 146 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Ford FocusS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.7 cu ft (best) | 13.2 cu ft |
| Curb weight | 3,135 lbs | 2,928 lbs (best) |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (best) | 104.3 in |
| Length | 194.2 in (best) | 178.7 in |
| Width | 73 in (best) | 71.8 in |
| Height | 57.9 in (best) | 57.8 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Ford FocusS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 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) | 1 (best) | 7 |
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 | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LS Fleet $24,700 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $17,950 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LS $25,800 MSRP | SE $19,245 MSRP |
| 3 | RS $26,800 MSRP | SE $20,540 MSRP |
| 4 | 1LT $28,100 MSRP | SEL $21,870 MSRP |
| 5 | 2LT $31,500 MSRP | SEL $22,070 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Titanium $24,270 MSRP |
| 7 | — | Titanium $24,470 MSRP |
| 8 | — | ST $25,170 MSRP |
| 9 | — | Electric $29,120 MSRP |
| 10 | — | RS $41,120 MSRP |
Live inventory
Chevrolet Malibu39 for sale
See all
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
1LT
Sterling Grey Metallic•Jet Black31,003 mi$20,597Northwest Motor Group
Pasco, WA
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
1LT
Summit White•Jet Black34,941 mi$20,999Northwest Motor Group
Pasco, WA
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Sterling Gray Metallic•Jet Black53,171 mi$18,288Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2025 Chevrolet Malibu
RS
Sterling Gray Metallic•Black30,764 mi$23,831Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Sterling Gray Metallic•Black57,393 mi$18,674Honda of Lake City
Lake City, FL
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Gray•Black57,000 mi$19,796Nissan of Orange Park
Jacksonville, FL
Ford Focus5 for sale
See all
Used2010 Ford Focus
SE
INGOT SILVER METALLIC•Charcoal Black116,768 mi$7,331Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2018 Ford Focus
SEL
Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat•Black60,243 mi$12,681Bruce Titus Port Orchard Ford
Port Orchard, WA
Used2018 Ford Focus
SE
Magnetic•Black113,320 mi$8,860McCarthy Toyota of Sedalia
Sedalia, MO
Used2014 Ford Focus
Titanium
Tuxedo Black Metallic•Charcoal Black127,404 mi$6,423Jack Hanania Audi Orange Park
Jacksonville, FL
Used2016 Ford Focus
ST
Shadow Black•Black47,964 mi$15,717Lynnes Hyundai Bloomfield
Bloomfield, NJ
Chevrolet Malibu vs Ford Focus FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2018 Ford Focus?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Ford Focus on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2018 Ford Focus?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2018 Ford Focus starts lower at $17,950. Live Chevrolet Malibu listings start at $8,500. Live Ford Focus listings start at $6,423.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2018 Ford Focus?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (17,950).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2018 Ford Focus?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2018 Ford Focus?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (115).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2018 Ford Focus?
- The 2018 Ford Focus leads on horsepower in this comparison (350).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Ford Focus?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Chevrolet Malibu (5/5 NHTSA overall); Ford Focus (5/5 NHTSA overall).