Chevrolet Malibu vs Hyundai Elantra
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Hyundai Elantra
Overview
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai ElantraSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LS Fleet | SE |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai ElantraSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,700 | $22,825 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $8,500 (best) | $9,399 |
| Median listing price | $18,815 (best) | $23,934 |
| Highest listing price | $23,831 (best) | $28,874 |
| For sale now | 39 | 506 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai ElantraSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG | 35 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 28 MPG | 31 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal (best) | 12.4 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai ElantraSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 163 hp (best) | 147 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft (best) | 132 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai ElantraSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.7 cu ft (best) | 14.2 cu ft |
| Curb weight | 3,135 lbs | 2,868 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.3 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (best) | 107.1 in |
| Length | 194.2 in (best) | 185.4 in |
| Width | 73 in (best) | 71.9 in |
| Height | 57.9 in (best) | 55.7 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai ElantraSE |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | 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 | Hyundai Elantra |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LS Fleet $24,700 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $22,825 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LS $25,800 MSRP | SEL Sport $23,950 MSRP |
| 3 | RS $26,800 MSRP | SEL Sport Plus $24,450 MSRP |
| 4 | 1LT $28,100 MSRP | SEL Sport Plus $27,100 MSRP |
| 5 | 2LT $31,500 MSRP | SEL Sport Premium $25,275 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Blue $25,450 MSRP |
| 7 | — | Limited $27,375 MSRP |
| 8 | — | SEL Sport $27,425 MSRP |
| 9 | — | N Line $29,600 MSRP |
| 10 | — | Limited $29,800 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
Hyundai Elantra506 for sale
See all- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
Limited
Abyss Black•Light Gray2 mi$27,789Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SEL Sport Plus
Serenity White•Black2 mi$25,404Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SE
Abyss Black•Black2 mi$22,989Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SEL Sport
Serenity White•Gray32 mi$25,019Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SE
Abyss Black•Gray2 mi$23,334Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SEL Sport Plus
Serenity White•Black2 mi$25,354Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
Chevrolet Malibu vs Hyundai Elantra FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Hyundai Elantra?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Hyundai Elantra 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 2026 Hyundai Elantra?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Hyundai Elantra starts lower at $22,825. Live Chevrolet Malibu listings start at $8,500. Live Hyundai Elantra listings start at $9,399.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Hyundai Elantra?
- The 2026 Hyundai Elantra leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (22,825).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Hyundai Elantra?
- The 2026 Hyundai Elantra leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (54).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Hyundai Elantra?
- The 2026 Hyundai Elantra leads on horsepower in this comparison (201).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Hyundai Elantra?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Chevrolet Malibu (5/5 NHTSA overall); Hyundai Elantra (5/5 NHTSA overall).