Chevrolet Malibu vs Hyundai Sonata
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Hyundai Sonata
Overview
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai SonataSE |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai SonataSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,700 (best) | $27,300 |
| Lowest listing price | $8,500 | $8,199 (best) |
| Median listing price | $18,815 (best) | $27,973 |
| Highest listing price | $23,831 (best) | $37,156 |
| For sale now | 39 | 131 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai SonataSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG | 32 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 28 MPG | 28 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG | 38 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal | 15.9 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai SonataSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 163 hp | 191 hp (best) |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft (best) | 181 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai SonataSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.7 cu ft (best) | 15.6 cu ft |
| Curb weight | 3,135 lbs (best) | 3,232 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.3 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 111 in | 111.8 in (best) |
| Length | 194.2 in (best) | 193.3 in |
| Width | 73 in | 73.2 in (best) |
| Height | 57.9 in (best) | 56.9 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Hyundai SonataSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 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 Sonata |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LS Fleet $24,700 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $27,300 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LS $25,800 MSRP | SEL Sport $29,000 MSRP |
| 3 | RS $26,800 MSRP | SEL Sport $30,500 MSRP |
| 4 | 1LT $28,100 MSRP | Blue Hybrid $29,050 MSRP |
| 5 | 2LT $31,500 MSRP | SEL Hybrid $32,300 MSRP |
| 6 | — | N Line $35,900 MSRP |
| 7 | — | Limited Hybrid $38,100 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 Sonata131 for sale
See all
Used2017 Hyundai Sonata
SE
Shale Gray Metallic•gray59,457 mi$13,925Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2013 Hyundai Sonata
GLS
Harbor Gray Metallic•Gray58,570 mi$10,900Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
- New
2026 Hyundai Sonata
SE
Abyss Black•BLACK12 mi$26,161Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Sonata
SEL Sport
Gray2 mi$27,973Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Sonata
SE
Abyss Black•Black11 mi$26,158Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Sonata
SE
Aero Silver•Gray24 mi$26,008Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
Chevrolet Malibu vs Hyundai Sonata FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Hyundai Sonata?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Hyundai Sonata 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 Sonata?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu starts lower at $24,700. Live Chevrolet Malibu listings start at $8,500. Live Hyundai Sonata listings start at $8,199.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Hyundai Sonata?
- The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (24,700).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Hyundai Sonata?
- The 2026 Hyundai Sonata leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (51).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Hyundai Sonata?
- The 2026 Hyundai Sonata leads on horsepower in this comparison (290).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Hyundai Sonata?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Chevrolet Malibu (5/5 NHTSA overall); Hyundai Sonata (5/5 NHTSA overall).