Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Optima
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2020 Kia Optima
Overview
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2020 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,700 | $23,390 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $8,500 (best) | $10,488 |
| Median listing price | $18,815 | $15,867 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $23,831 | $18,000 (best) |
| For sale now | 39 (best) | 6 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| City MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 25 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG (best) | 35 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 163 hp | 185 hp (best) |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2.4 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.7 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,135 lbs (best) | 3,230 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.3 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (best) | 110.4 in |
| Length | 194.2 in (best) | 191.1 in |
| Width | 73 in | 73.2 in (best) |
| Height | 57.9 in (best) | 57.7 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | None reported (best) |
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 Optima |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LS Fleet $24,700 MSRP(Currently comparing) | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LS $25,800 MSRP | S $24,890 MSRP |
| 3 | RS $26,800 MSRP | SE $26,390 MSRP |
| 4 | 1LT $28,100 MSRP | EX $27,190 MSRP |
| 5 | 2LT $31,500 MSRP | EX $29,310 MSRP |
| 6 | — | EX Premium $30,190 MSRP |
| 7 | — | SX $32,190 MSRP |
| 8 | — | EX $36,090 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
Kia Optima6 for sale
See all
Used2019 Kia Optima
SX
Snow White Pearl•Black50,346 mi$17,446Phil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Snow White Pearl•Black69,814 mi$14,734Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
sangria•black114,297 mi$10,488Secret City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Oak Ridge, TN
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
Horizon Blue•black119,032 mi$12,500Mccarthy Chevrolet Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, MO
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Platinum Graphite•black45,738 mi$17,000Fred Anderson Kia Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
- Used
2020 Kia Optima
SE
Passion Red•black38,701 mi$18,000Stanley Wood Chevrolet
Batesville, AR
Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Optima FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2020 Kia Optima?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2020 Kia Optima 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 2020 Kia Optima?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Kia Optima starts lower at $23,390. Live Chevrolet Malibu listings start at $8,500. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2020 Kia Optima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,390).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2020 Kia Optima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (42).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2020 Kia Optima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2020 Kia Optima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2020 Kia Optima?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Chevrolet Malibu (5/5 NHTSA overall); Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall).