Chevrolet Malibu vs. Honda Civic

Whether you need a sedan for running errands around town or to use as a daily commute car, the Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Civic are smart choices. These two sedans are made by reputable automakers who design the cars for aesthetic appeal, comfort, convenience, and safety. In this showdown, you’ll learn about the features of each sedan to help you decide which one best fits your Lynn, Massachusetts, lifestyle.

Introduction to the Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet first introduced the Malibu in 1964. Originally designed as a hot rod, today it’s a family-oriented sedan with modern features. Sadly, Chevrolet will discontinue making the Malibu after the 2025 production as it shifts its focus to electrified vehicles.

The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu is a four-door midsize sedan with four trims: the LS, RS, 1LT, and the top-tier 2LT. It comes standard with many attractive features, including an acoustic-laminated windshield, an 8-inch diagonal touch screen, and Chevy Safety Assist technology.

Introduction to the Honda Civic

Honda introduced the first Civic in 1972 as a small three-door hatchback, eventually transforming it into the sleek four-door sedan that you find today. The Honda Civic comes in two trims: the LX and the Sport. This sedan is smaller than the Malibu, making it ideal for maneuvering through city traffic and parking in challenging spots.

Detailed Malibu vs. Civic Comparison

Let’s dive into more detail about their features and specifications.

Price and Value Analysis

Both sedans offer enormous value for the features they have. The Chevrolet Malibu has an MSRP ranging from $26,995 for the entry-level LS trim to $32,695 for the top 2LT trim. In comparison, the Honda Civic has an MSRP of $24,250 for its entry-level LX trim and $26,250 for the Sport trim.

Exterior Styling

The Chevrolet Malibu has clean lines that give it an upscale sedan appearance, including a handsome front end with a large grille and captivating cat-shaped LED headlamps. Depending on the trim, the Malibu comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels or sporty 19-inch Black- painted aluminum wheels. Color options for the Malibu include Lakeshore Blue Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, or Mosaic Black Metallic. You can also have a more customized Malibu with the Midnight, Sport, and Redline Editions.

The Honda Civic has a sportier appearance with its long nose, sloped roof, and short back end. The Sport trim comes with 18-inch Gloss-Black alloy wheels, and you can express your personality with exterior color options, such as Rallye Red or Solar Silver Metallic.

Interior Space and Dimensions

The Malibu’s interior is built from high-quality materials and has two rows of seats that can fit up to five people comfortably. It has an overall passenger volume of 102 cubic feet and a generous trunk space of 15.7 cubic feet, enough for luggage, groceries, and supplies. The cockpit’s driver-centric layout provides easy access to the controls and gives the interior of the Malibu a spacious feeling. The two upper trims come standard with heated front seats for added comfort.

The Civic also has two rows of seats that can fit up to five people, but it only has 99 cubic feet of passenger volume and 14.8 cubic feet of space in the trunk. With a smaller interior space, the Honda has a tighter feel for the driver and passengers.

Technology and Infotainment Systems

With the Malibu, you get the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touch screen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The top 2LT trim has a navigation system.

The Honda Civic has a 7-inch touch screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The base trim has a four-speaker sound system, while the Sport trim has an eight-speaker system. Both trims have a 12-volt power outlet.

Performance and Engine Specifications

Under the hood of the Chevrolet Malibu, you’ll find a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 163 horsepower with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. The Malibu gets 28 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined.

Under the hood of the Honda Civic, you get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 150 horsepower with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. For fuel efficiency, the Civic gets 32 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg combined.

Safety Ratings and Features

Chevy and Honda take safety seriously and equip the Malibu and the Civic with cutting-edge safety and driver-assistance features.

The Malibu comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist technologies that include:

• Forward collision alert
• A lane mitigation system
• Automatic emergency braking
• Rear park assist
• Following distance indicator

In addition, the Malibu has Teen Driver and Buckle to Drive technologies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Malibu an overall five-star rating, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Malibu a Good rating.

The Civic comes with Honda Sensing Suite technologies, including:

• A collision mitigation braking system
• Road departure mitigations
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert

The IIHS gives the Civic a Top Safety Pick and a Good rating, while the NHTSA gives it an overall five-star rating.

Test-Drive the Chevrolet Malibu Today

The choice between the Chevrolet Malibu and the Honda Civic is a personal one. The Malibu is a handsome sedan with a comfortable and roomy interior, a powerful engine, and plenty of standard driver-assistance features to give you peace of mind while driving. The Civic is smaller but comes with a lower starting price. If you think the Malibu is best for your driving needs and lifestyle, contact our team at Pride Chevrolet in Lynn, Massachusetts, to schedule a test-drive.