Chevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LS Fleet | S |
| 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 | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,700 | $23,995 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $8,500 | $7,493 (best) |
| Median listing price | $18,815 (best) | $23,484 |
| Highest listing price | $23,831 (best) | $30,554 |
| For sale now | 39 | 80 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 28 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 163 hp (best) | 158 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.7 cu ft (best) | 14.1 cu ft |
| Payload | — | 915 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,135 lbs | 2,998 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (best) | 105.7 in |
| Length | 194.2 in (best) | 186.5 in |
| Width | 73 in (best) | 70.8 in |
| Height | 57.9 in (best) | 57.7 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 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 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| 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 | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LS Fleet $24,700 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LS $25,800 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | RS $26,800 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | 1LT $28,100 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | 2LT $31,500 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Autobahn $33,745 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
Volkswagen Jetta80 for sale
See all
Used2024 Volkswagen Jetta
SE
Rising Blue Metallic58,656 mi$20,475Tadd Jenkins Auto Sales Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, ID
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,363Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,549Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Deep Black Pearl•Black12 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Pure White•Black15 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Platinum Gray Metallic•Titan Black13 mi$26,061Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Chevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta 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 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta starts lower at $23,995. Live Chevrolet Malibu listings start at $8,500. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,995).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on horsepower in this comparison (228).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Chevrolet Malibu (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).