Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia K4
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Kia K4
Overview
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia K4LX |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LS Fleet | LX |
| 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 | Kia K4LX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,700 | $22,190 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $15,103 (best) | $17,994 |
| Median listing price | $18,815 (best) | $24,860 |
| Highest listing price | $23,831 (best) | $35,320 |
| For sale now | 39 | 473 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia K4LX |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 28 MPG | 30 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal (best) | 12 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia K4LX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Kia K4LX |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.7 cu ft (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,135 lbs | 2,956 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (best) | 107 in |
| Length | 194.2 in (best) | 185.4 in |
| Width | 73 in | 73 in |
| Height | 57.9 in (best) | 55.9 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia K4LX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Kia K4 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LS Fleet $24,700 MSRP(Currently comparing) | LX $22,190 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LS $25,800 MSRP | LXS $23,290 MSRP |
| 3 | RS $26,800 MSRP | EX $24,390 MSRP |
| 4 | 1LT $28,100 MSRP | EX $24,890 MSRP |
| 5 | 2LT $31,500 MSRP | GT-Line $25,390 MSRP |
| 6 | — | GT-Line $25,890 MSRP |
| 7 | — | GT-Line Turbo $28,290 MSRP |
| 8 | — | GT-Line Turbo $28,790 MSRP |
Live inventory
Chevrolet Malibu39 for sale
See all
Used2018 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Sandy Ridge Metallic•Jet Black58,350 mi$16,995Cole Kia Pocatello
Pocatello, ID
Used2025 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Summit White•Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray42,896 mi$18,992Fred Haas Nissan
Tomball, TX
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Mosaic Black Metallic•Jet Black58,325 mi$20,168Leith Volkswagen of Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Mosaic Black Metallic•Black45,785 mi$18,524Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Warwick
Warwick, NY
Used2023 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Summit White•Jet Black56,212 mi$17,898Matt Bowers Ford
Metairie, LA
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Summit White•Jet Black52,038 mi$18,758Community Ford of Bloomington
Bloomington, IN
Kia K4473 for sale
See all
New2026 Kia K4
GT-Line
Blue•Black15 mi$26,188Findlay Kia Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
New2026 Kia K4
LXS
Medium Gray15 mi$24,050Findlay Kia Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Used2025 Kia K4
GT-Line Turbo
Currant Red•Black21,789 mi$26,927Cole Kia Pocatello
Pocatello, ID
Used2025 Kia K4
EX
Steel Gray•Gray7,023 mi$22,000Sands Kia Surprise
Surprise, AZ
Used2025 Kia K4
GT-Line
Aurora Black Pearl•Black5,443 mi$22,691Edison Nissan
Edison, NJ
New2026 Kia K4
GT-Line
Blue•Black3 mi$26,949Seelye Kia of Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo, MI
Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia K4 FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Kia K4?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Kia K4 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 Kia K4?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Kia K4 starts lower at $22,190. Live Chevrolet Malibu listings start at $15,103. Live Kia K4 listings start at $17,994.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Kia K4?
- The 2026 Kia K4 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (22,190).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Kia K4?
- The 2026 Kia K4 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Kia K4?
- The 2026 Kia K4 leads on horsepower in this comparison (190).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Kia K4?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Chevrolet Malibu (5/5 NHTSA overall); Kia K4 (5/5 NHTSA overall).