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, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. 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 2025 Jeep Wrangler ranges from $41,946 to $68,355 while a used 2025 Chevrolet Malibu is priced between $21,522 to $30,341. For a new model, the Jeep Wrangler's price is between $48,834 and $69,778, with the Chevrolet Malibu priced between $23,533 and $31,754.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Jeep Wrangler loses 37.9 percent of its value and the Chevrolet Malibu loses 49.6 percent of its value. This means the Jeep Wrangler retains 11.7 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 8.4 out of 10 while the Chevrolet Malibu's quality rating is 7.6 out of 10. This results in the Jeep Wrangler being ranked 1 out of 17 Best Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV) and the Chevrolet Malibu being ranked 10 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Jeep Wrangler is 8.2 out of 10. For the Chevrolet Malibu the reliability rating is 7.4 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 375 horsepower, and the Chevrolet Malibu base engine makes 163 horsepower. The Wrangler is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 365 miles. The Malibu is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 569 miles. This gives the Chevrolet Malibu the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Jeep Wrangler. The Wrangler uses electricity, regular unleaded, and the Malibu uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Jeep Wrangler, a hybrid SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear leg 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 shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Chevrolet Malibu has an average safety rating of 4.47 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
48834 - 69778
Starting MSRP:
50695
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Midsize SUVs)
48413
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Midsize SUVs)
37800 - 60490
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
23533 - 31754
Starting MSRP:
24700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
26816
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24700 - 28295
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
55923
Price Range:
41946 - 68355
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Midsize SUVs)
51507
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Midsize SUVs)
40518 - 65239
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
25761
Price Range:
21522 - 30341
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
27493
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
25110 - 29237
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
19410
Depreciation %:
0.38286872
Resale Value $:
31285
Residual Value %:
0.61713128
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Hybrid Midsize SUVs)
0.38635449
Category Depreciation Range:
(Hybrid Midsize SUVs)
0.32753242 - 0.55374955
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
12288
Depreciation %:
0.49749174
Resale Value $:
12412
Residual Value %:
0.5025082599999999
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)
0.43738499
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.35336067 - 0.49749174
Jeep Wrangler Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Chevrolet Malibu Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
7.5 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Jeep Wrangler
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Malibu
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
7.8 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.081
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2016226315772536
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize SUVs)
2.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize SUVs)
2.2 - 7.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6245745377787513
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.6 - 7.3
Jeep Wrangler Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
2 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 14Ranking
2 out of / 14Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 14Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 14Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 17Ranking
9 out of / 17Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 14Ranking
11 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 14Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
27 out of / 32Chevrolet Malibu Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 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
Backcountry 4xe, Rubicon 4xe, Rubicon X 4xe, Sahara 4xe, Sport S 4xe, Willys '41 4xe, Willys 4xe
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:
4 out of 5 Stars
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):
4.47 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:
375 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque:
470 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.074 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:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 20 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
365 / 365 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):
28 / 36 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
442 / 569 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
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
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
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
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
Paddle Shifters:
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
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
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
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
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:
40.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
41.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.8 inches
Cargo Space:
27.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
67.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
131 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:
5049 lbs
Width:
73.9 inches
Height:
73.5 inches
Length:
188.4 inches
Wheelbase:
118.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
10.1 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:
20.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P255/60R20
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
Fathom Blue Pearl Coat / Hydro Blue Pearl Coat
Gray
Anvil Clear Coat / Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat
Green
'41 / Mojito! Clear Coat
Orange
Joose
Red
Firecracker Red Clear Coat
White
Bright White Clear Coat
Purple
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Mosaic Black Metallic
Blue
Lakeshore Blue Metallic
Gray
Mineral Gray Metallic / Sterling Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Summit White
Purple
Night Shade Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black
Gray
Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray