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Chevrolet Malibu vs. Hyundai ELANTRA

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai ELANTRA 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 Hyundai ELANTRA.

When we compare the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Hyundai ELANTRA's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume and base engine power. The Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Hyundai ELANTRA's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai ELANTRA is a better car than the Chevrolet Malibu.

Pricing: A used 2024 Chevrolet Malibu ranges from $22,474 to $30,382 while a used 2024 Hyundai ELANTRA is priced between $21,995 to $27,989. For a new model, the Chevrolet Malibu's price is between $23,071 and $31,796, with the Hyundai ELANTRA priced between $22,531 and $28,639.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Chevrolet Malibu loses 43.7 percent of its value and the Hyundai ELANTRA loses 33.4 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai ELANTRA retains 10.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Chevrolet Malibu.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Chevrolet Malibu is 8.2 out of 10 while the Hyundai ELANTRA's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the Chevrolet Malibu being ranked 11 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Hyundai ELANTRA being ranked 21 out of 43 Best Small Cars.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Chevrolet Malibu is 8.2 out of 10. For the Hyundai ELANTRA the reliability rating is 7.8 out of 10. This gives the Chevrolet Malibu a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai ELANTRA.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Malibu’s base engine makes 163 horsepower, and the Hyundai ELANTRA base engine makes 147 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Hyundai ELANTRA, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room and front leg room.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Hyundai ELANTRA has higher safety ratings than the Chevrolet Malibu, with an average rating of 4.64 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.30 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Hyundai ELANTRA has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.

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Model & Pricing
Chevrolet Malibu
Hyundai ELANTRA

2024 Chevrolet Malibu
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Chevrolet Malibu for Sale

2024 Hyundai ELANTRA
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Hyundai ELANTRA for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$23,071 - $31,796

Starting MSRP:

$24,700

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)

$26,143

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)

$24,700 - $27,895

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$22,531 - $28,639

Starting MSRP:

$21,625

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$25,951

Price Range:

$22,474 - $30,382

Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)

$29,305

Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)

$25,951 - $31,688

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

2,203

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

3,556

# Good or Great Deals:

194

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$24,763

Price Range:

$21,995 - $27,989

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

16,303

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

622

# Good or Great Deals:

366

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$10,980

Depreciation %:

44.5%

Resale Value $:

$13,720

Residual Value %:

55.5%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)

37.2%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)

32.1% - 45.7%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$7,431

Depreciation %:

34.4%

Resale Value $:

$14,194

Residual Value %:

65.6%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

Chevrolet Malibu Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.2 / 10

Reliability:

8.2 / 10

Retained Value:

7.8 / 10

Safety:

8.6 / 10

Hyundai ELANTRA Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.3 / 10

Reliability:

7.8 / 10

Retained Value:

8.4 / 10

Safety:

8.6 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Malibu

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

9.5

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)

10.1

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)

9.5 - 13

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

7%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai ELANTRA

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

10.2

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

6.6%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

1.7

Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)

3.3

Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)

1.7 - 15.5

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

4.1

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Chevrolet Malibu Rankings

Most Affordable Midsize Cars

1 / 9

Best Midsize Cars for the Money

3 / 6

Best Midsize Cars Under $25k

5 / 5

Best Gas Mileage Midsize Cars

6 / 13

Most Reliable Midsize Cars

6 / 13

Midsize Cars with the Most Legroom

7 / 13

Best Midsize Cars for Tall People

8 / 13

Most Comfortable Midsize Cars

9 / 13

Best Midsize Cars

11 / 13

Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value

12 / 13

Safest Midsize Cars

12 / 13

Midsize Cars with the Most Horsepower

13 / 13

Hyundai ELANTRA Rankings

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

2 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

3 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

4 / 43

Best Small Cars for Teens

5 / 5

Best Small Cars for the Money

8 / 13

Most Affordable Small Cars

10 / 24

Best Small Cars Under $25k

10 / 13

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

12 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

17 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

17 / 43

Best Small Cars

21 / 43

Safest Small Cars

26 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

28 / 43

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels

LS, LS Fleet, LT, RS

Hyundai ELANTRA Trim Levels

Limited, N Line, SE, SEL

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:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4.30 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4.64 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

TOP SAFETY PICK

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

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque:

132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.054 hp per pound

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):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 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):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

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:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

N/A

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

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:

Available

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

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:

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:

Standard

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

Overall Interior Volume:

102.9 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.6 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.3 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.5 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.3 inches

Rear Leg Room:

38 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.6 inches

Cargo Space:

14.2 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

99.4 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:

2725 lbs

Width:

71.9 inches

Height:

55.7 inches

Length:

184.1 inches

Wheelbase:

107.1 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 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:

15.0 x 6.0 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

195/65R15

Exterior Colors

Black

Mosaic Black Metallic

Blue

Lakeshore Blue Metallic

Gray

Mineral Gray Metallic / Sterling Gray Metallic

White

Summit White

Red

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Abyss Black Pearl

Blue

Intense Blue Pearl

Gray

Amazon Gray Pearl / Ecotronic Gray Pearl / Fluid Metal Metallic

White

Serenity White Pearl

Red

Ultimate Red Pearl

Interior Colors

Black

Jet Black

Gray

Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Gray

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