Chevrolet Malibu vs. Chevrolet Malibu Classic
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Malibu Classic contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Chevrolet Malibu and the Chevrolet Malibu Classic.
When we compare the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Chevrolet Malibu Classic's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Chevrolet Malibu Classic has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. The Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Malibu Classic have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Chevrolet Malibu Classic's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu Classic is a better car than the Chevrolet Malibu.
Pricing: A used 2008 Chevrolet Malibu ranges from $2,750 to $9,993 while a used 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic is priced between $1,500 to $7,943.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Malibu’s base engine makes 169 horsepower, and the Chevrolet Malibu Classic base engine makes 145 horsepower. Both the Malibu and the Malibu Classic are rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 480 and 505 miles respectively. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Chevrolet Malibu Classic has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Chevrolet Malibu has an average safety rating of 4.47 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
19345
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
19315
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
16355 - 23915
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
17935
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
5776
Price Range:
2750 - 9993
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
5942
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
5090 - 7422
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
44
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
143940
# Good or Great Deals:
14
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
4777
Price Range:
1500 - 7943
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
8
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
144540
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Chevrolet Malibu Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
7.5 / 10
Chevrolet Malibu Classic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Malibu
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.201113344343713
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
2.9 - 10.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.9065651757664677
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Chevrolet Malibu Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Chevrolet Malibu Classic Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels
Fleet, LS, LT, LTZ
Chevrolet Malibu Classic Trim Levels
LS, LT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 100000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 100000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.47 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
169 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
160 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
145 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
152 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.046 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 30 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 480 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 31 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
342 / 505 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
97.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
101.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3415 lbs
Width:
70.3 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
191.8 inches
Wheelbase:
112.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3174 lbs
Width:
69.9 inches
Height:
57.5 inches
Length:
188.3 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Beige
Amber Bronze Metallic
Black
Black Granite Metallic
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic
Brown
Sandstone Metallic
Gray
Dark Gray Metallic / Golden Pewter Metallic
Silver
Silverstone Metallic
White
White
Gold
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Sandstone Metallic
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Brown
Amber Bronze Metallic
Gray
Dark Gray Metallic
Silver
Silverstone Metallic
White
White
Gold
Golden Pewter Metallic
Interior Colors
Brown
Cocoa/Cashmere
Gray
Titanium
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Titanium
Beige
Cashmere
