Chevrolet Malibu vs. Ford Focus
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Focus 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 Focus.
When we compare the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Ford Focus's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Ford Focus has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Focus have the same base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Ford Focus's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu is a better car than the Ford Focus.
Pricing: A used 2018 Chevrolet Malibu ranges from $10,499 to $19,999 while a used 2018 Ford Focus is priced between $7,995 to $16,818.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the Chevrolet Malibu and the Ford Focus makes 160 horsepower. The Malibu is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 569 miles. The Focus is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. This gives the Chevrolet Malibu the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Focus. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Ford Focus has the advantage in the areas of front leg room and 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)
$23,460
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,680 - $31,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$17,950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$20,571
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,395 - $39,785
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$15,464
Price Range:
$10,499 - $19,999
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$17,782
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$14,578 - $25,306
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
697
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
89,778
# Good or Great Deals:
255
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,435
Price Range:
$7,995 - $16,818
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$17,195
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$9,985 - $30,573
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
475
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
77,245
# Good or Great Deals:
157
Chevrolet Malibu Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
8.6 / 10
Ford Focus 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):
3.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
3.3 - 7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
7%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Focus
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
5.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
3.1 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
2 - 14.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 16.6
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 / 13Ford Focus Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Gasoline
Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels
L, LS, LS Fleet, LT, Premier
Ford Focus Trim Levels
Not yet available
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:
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:
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:
160 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 4450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 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):
427 / 569 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
310 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular 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:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
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:
N/A
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:
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
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:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.0 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:
2928 lbs
Width:
80.5 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
178.7 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 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:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
White
Summit White
Black
Not available
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Silver
Ingot Silver
White
Oxford White
Black
Shadow Black
Gray
Magnetic
Interior Colors
Gray
Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray
Interior Colors
Gray
Charcoal Black
