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 $13,359.

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).

← Back to compare hub

Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Optima

Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.

Vehicles

2025 Chevrolet Malibu

Trim

Full research Shop inventory

2020 Kia Optima

Trim

Full research

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	$13,359 (best)	—
Median listing price	$17,396 (best)	—
Highest listing price	$20,398 (best)	—
For sale now	17 (best)	0

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 Malibu17 for sale

See all