Jeep Wrangler vs. Chevrolet Malibu
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Jeep Wrangler 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 Jeep Wrangler and the Chevrolet Malibu.
When we compare the Jeep Wrangler's and the Chevrolet Malibu's specifications and ratings, the Jeep Wrangler has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Jeep Wrangler's and the Chevrolet Malibu's specifications and ratings, the Jeep Wrangler is a better car than the Chevrolet Malibu.
Pricing: A used 2024 Jeep Wrangler ranges from $37,688 to $97,191 while a used 2024 Chevrolet Malibu is priced between $22,474 to $30,382. For a new model, the Jeep Wrangler's price is between $41,581 and $93,606, with the Chevrolet Malibu priced between $23,071 and $31,796.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Jeep Wrangler loses 26.4 percent of its value and the Chevrolet Malibu loses 43.7 percent of its value. This means the Jeep Wrangler retains 17.3 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 Jeep Wrangler is 8.7 out of 10 while the Chevrolet Malibu's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the Jeep Wrangler being ranked 8 out of 32 Best Midsize SUVs and the Chevrolet Malibu being ranked 11 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Jeep Wrangler is 8.5 out of 10. For the Chevrolet Malibu the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Jeep Wrangler a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Chevrolet Malibu.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Jeep Wrangler’s base engine makes 285 horsepower, and the Chevrolet Malibu base engine makes 163 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Jeep Wrangler, a midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and rear leg 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:
$41,581 - $93,606
Starting MSRP:
$31,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$37,697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$31,990 - $43,320
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
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$59,331
Price Range:
$37,688 - $97,191
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$40,678 - $66,020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3,993
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
7,851
# Good or Great Deals:
413
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:
1,446
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
21,037
# Good or Great Deals:
125
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$8,811
Depreciation %:
27.5%
Resale Value $:
$23,184
Residual Value %:
72.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
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%
Jeep Wrangler Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
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 Jeep Wrangler
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.6 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
16.9%
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%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 14.8
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
Jeep Wrangler Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 32Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 32Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 16Ranking
21 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 32Ranking
27 out of / 32Chevrolet 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
SUV
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Jeep Wrangler Trim Levels
Rubicon, Rubicon 392, Rubicon 392 Final Edition, Rubicon X, Sahara, Sport, Sport RHD, Sport S, Willys
Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels
LS, LS Fleet, LT, 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):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 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
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:
285 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
260 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
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
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 23 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
298 / 403 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
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
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
42.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
41.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Cargo Space:
31.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
72.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
150.4 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:
15.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
102.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4012 lbs
Width:
73.9 inches
Height:
73.6 inches
Length:
166.8 inches
Wheelbase:
96.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
9.7 inches
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted steel
Tire Size:
P245/75R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Clear Coat
Blue
Bikini Pearl Coat / Earl Clear Coat / Hydro Blue Pearl Coat
Gray
Anvil Clear Coat / Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat
Green
Sarge Green Clear Coat
Pink
Tuscadero Pearl Coat
Red
Firecracker Red Clear Coat
Silver
Silver Zynith Clear Coat
White
Bright White Clear Coat
Yellow
High Velocity Clear Coat
Exterior Colors
Black
Mosaic Black Metallic
Blue
Lakeshore Blue Metallic
Gray
Mineral Gray Metallic / Sterling Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Pink
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Summit White
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black
Gray
Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray
