Chevrolet Malibu vs. Chevrolet SS
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet SS 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 SS.
When we compare the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Chevrolet SS's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The Chevrolet SS has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Chevrolet SS's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2017 Chevrolet Malibu ranges from $9,284 to $19,197 while a used 2017 Chevrolet SS is priced between $33,449 to $54,134.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Malibu’s base engine makes 160 horsepower, and the Chevrolet SS base engine makes 415 horsepower. The Malibu is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 468 miles. The SS is rated to deliver an average of 16 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 414 miles. This gives the Chevrolet Malibu the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Chevrolet SS. The Malibu uses regular unleaded, and the SS uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Chevrolet SS has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, has the advantage in the area of front head room. The Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet SS are comparable in regards to rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Chevrolet Malibu has an average safety rating of 4.30 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$21,680
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,324
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,600 - $34,475
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$46,625
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,348
Price Range:
$9,284 - $19,197
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$15,115
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$12,804 - $18,940
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
609
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
96,051
# Good or Great Deals:
206
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$43,475
Price Range:
$33,449 - $54,134
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
15
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
56,705
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Chevrolet Malibu Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
8.6 / 10
Chevrolet SS 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):
2.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
3.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
2.3 - 6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
7%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet SS
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 6.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.9
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Chevrolet Malibu Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Chevrolet SS Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels
L, LS, LS Fleet, LT, Premier
Chevrolet SS Trim Levels
Base
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.30 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
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:
160 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
415 hp @ 5900 rpm
Torque:
415 foot-lbs @ 4600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.104 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 36 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
351 / 468 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
6.2 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
14 / 22 / 16
Range (city/hwy):
263 / 414 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bluetooth:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree 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
Safety Features
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59 inches
Cargo Space:
16.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
106.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3086 lbs
Width:
73 inches
Height:
57.6 inches
Length:
193.8 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3997 lbs
Width:
74.7 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
195.5 inches
Wheelbase:
114.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/40R19
Exterior Colors
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
White
Summit White
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
White
Heron White
Black
Phantom Black Metallic
Blue
Slipstream Blue Metallic
Gray
Nightfall Gray Metallic
Green
Regal Peacock Green Metallic
Orange
Orange Blast Metallic
Red
Red Hot 2
Interior Colors
Gray
Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Black
Jet Black
