Chevrolet Volt vs. Chevrolet Malibu
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Volt and Chevrolet Malibu 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 Volt and the Chevrolet Malibu.
When comparing the Chevrolet Volt's and the Chevrolet Malibu's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Volt has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Volt's and the Chevrolet Malibu's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu is a better car than the Chevrolet Volt.
Pricing: A used 2019 Chevrolet Volt ranges from $14,881 to $26,556 while a used 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is priced between $12,582 to $21,895.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Chevrolet Volt loses 48.2 percent of its value and the Chevrolet Malibu loses 43.7 percent of its value. This means the Chevrolet Malibu retains 4.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Chevrolet Volt.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Volt’s base engine makes 149 horsepower, and the Chevrolet Malibu base engine makes 160 horsepower. The Volt is rated to deliver an average of 42 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 424 miles. The Malibu is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 569 miles.This gives the Chevrolet Volt the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Chevrolet Malibu the advantage in maximum range. The Volt uses electricity, regular unleaded, and the Malibu uses 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 cargo space. The Chevrolet Volt, a hybrid compact car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Chevrolet Volt has higher safety ratings than the Chevrolet Malibu, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.30 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,520
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$25,594
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$22,400 - $33,520
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,090
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,231
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$22,090 - $35,845
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,288
Price Range:
$14,881 - $26,556
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$19,881
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$16,631 - $22,498
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
19
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
48,374
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$17,013
Price Range:
$12,582 - $21,895
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$19,884
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$16,374 - $28,348
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
610
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
76,727
# Good or Great Deals:
250
Chevrolet Volt Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Chevrolet Malibu Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Volt
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
7.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
6 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.6%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Malibu
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
4.3 - 8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
7%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.3 - 21.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
2.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 16
Chevrolet Volt Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
10 out of / 10Ranking
15 out of / 25Ranking
20 out of / 25Ranking
21 out of / 25Ranking
24 out of / 25Chevrolet 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 / 13Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Chevrolet Volt Trim Levels
LT, Premier
Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels
L, LS, LS Fleet, LT, Premier, RS
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 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:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
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:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
149 hp
Torque:
294 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.042 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
160 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 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):
43 / 42 / 42
Range (city/hwy):
433 / 424 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Regular Unleaded
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):
29 / 36 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
458 / 569 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 outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
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
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
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
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
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
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
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
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.2 inches
Cargo Space:
10.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.9 cubic feet
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:
15.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3519 lbs
Width:
71.2 inches
Height:
56.4 inches
Length:
180.4 inches
Wheelbase:
106.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3126 lbs
Width:
73 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
194.2 inches
Wheelbase:
111.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/50R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Mosaic Black Metallic
Blue
Pacific Blue Metallic
Gray
Satin Steel Metallic
Green
Green Mist Metallic
Red
Cajun Red Tintcoat
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
White
Iridescent Pearl Tricoat / Summit White
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
White
Summit White
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black / Jet Black/Jet Black
Gray
Light Ash/Dark Ash
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray
