Chevrolet Malibu vs. Nissan Sentra
In comparing the Chevrolet Malibu to the Nissan Sentra, the Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the areas of interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Nissan Sentra 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. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu versus the Nissan Sentra, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Chevrolet Malibu versus Nissan Sentra Pricing
A one- to five-year-old used Chevrolet Malibu ranges from $16,998 to $26,940 while a used Nissan Sentra from the same model year range is priced between $15,498 to $22,842. For a new model, the Chevrolet Malibu's price is between $23,694 and $33,389, with the Nissan Sentra priced between $21,451 and $27,236.
Chevrolet Malibu versus Nissan Sentra Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Chevrolet Malibu is 8.0 out of 10 while the Nissan Sentra's quality rating is 7.9 out of 10. This results in the Chevrolet Malibu being ranked 7 out of 8 Best Midsize Cars for the Money and the Nissan Sentra being ranked 10 out of 12 Best Small Cars for the Money.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Chevrolet Malibu’s base engine makes 160 horsepower, and the Nissan Sentra base engine makes 149 horsepower. The Malibu is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 553 miles. The Sentra is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 484 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, 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 trunk space. The Nissan Sentra, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Nissan Sentra has higher safety ratings than the Chevrolet Malibu, with an average rating of 4.38 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.29 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Nissan Sentra has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$23,694 - $33,389
Used Asking Price:
$16,998 - $26,940
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
45.2%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$21,451 - $27,236
Used Asking Price:
$15,498 - $22,842
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
44.1%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
8.4 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
10 out of / 12Ranking
12 out of / 51Ranking
14 out of / 51Ranking
17 out of / 51Ranking
28 out of / 51Summary Review
Not yet available
Summary Review
Not yet available
Pros and Cons
Not yet available
Pros and Cons
Not yet available
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
LS, LS Fleet, LT, RS
Trim Levels
S, SV, SR
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):
4.29 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.38 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
160 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
149 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 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):
27 / 35 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
427 / 553 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
360 / 484 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
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:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
44 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
96.0 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:
3036 lbs
Width:
71.5 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
106.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
