Chevrolet Malibu vs. Ford Bronco Sport
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Bronco Sport 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 Ford Bronco Sport.
When comparing the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Ford Bronco Sport's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. The Ford Bronco Sport has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Ford Bronco Sport's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu is a better car than the Ford Bronco Sport.
Pricing: A used 2025 Chevrolet Malibu ranges from $21,522 to $30,341 while a used 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is priced between $28,900 to $40,477. For a new model, the Chevrolet Malibu's price is between $23,533 and $31,754, with the Ford Bronco Sport priced between $30,577 and $43,626.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Chevrolet Malibu loses 49.6 percent of its value and the Ford Bronco Sport loses 51.1 percent of its value. This means the Chevrolet Malibu retains 1.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Bronco Sport.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Malibu’s base engine makes 163 horsepower, and the Ford Bronco Sport base engine makes 180 horsepower. The Malibu is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 569 miles. The Bronco Sport is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 480 miles. This gives the Chevrolet Malibu the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Bronco Sport. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Bronco Sport, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Bronco Sport has higher safety ratings than the Chevrolet Malibu, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.47 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
23533 - 31754
Starting MSRP:
24700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
26816
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24700 - 28295
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
30577 - 43626
Starting MSRP:
30995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
28836
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
24135 - 30995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
25761
Price Range:
21522 - 30341
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
27493
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
25110 - 29237
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
34051
Price Range:
28900 - 40477
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
32106
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
28107 - 36583
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
12288
Depreciation %:
0.49749174
Resale Value $:
12412
Residual Value %:
0.5025082599999999
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
0.43738499
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.35336067 - 0.49749174
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
15950
Depreciation %:
0.51460714
Resale Value $:
15045
Residual Value %:
0.48539286000000004
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
0.43208374
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
0.30791758 - 0.51647538
Chevrolet Malibu Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
7.5 / 10
Ford Bronco Sport Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Malibu
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
7.8 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.081
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Bronco Sport
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.6 - 15.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6245745377787513
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.6 - 7.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
9.291173650462083
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 16.1
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 / 13Ford Bronco Sport Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
16 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 19Ranking
18 out of / 19Ranking
18 out of / 18Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 56Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
50 out of / 67Ranking
54 out of / 67Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels
LS, LS Fleet, LT, RS
Ford Bronco Sport Trim Levels
Badlands, Big Bend, Free Wheeling, Heritage, Outer Banks
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):
4.47 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):
5 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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
163 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
200 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 36 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
442 / 569 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 30 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
400 / 480 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
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
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
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 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:
15.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
102.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
41.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
32.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
65.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
138.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3135 lbs
Width:
73 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
194.2 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3458 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
70.4 inches
Length:
173 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Mosaic Black Metallic
Blue
Lakeshore Blue Metallic
Gray
Mineral Gray Metallic / Sterling Gray Metallic
Purple
Night Shade Metallic
White
Summit White
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Velocity Blue
Gray
Azure Gray Metallic Tri-Coat / Carbonized Gray
Purple
Not available
White
Oxford White
Brown
Desert Sand
Green
Eruption Green
Red
Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black
Gray
Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Gray
Medium Light Smoked Truffle
