2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2026 Honda Civic
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2026 Honda Civic is fuel economy, with the Civic achieving a combined 36 MPG compared to the Malibu's 31 MPG, a 5 MPG advantage. Power delivery favors the Malibu, which offers 163 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Civic's 150 hp and 133 lb-ft. Despite the power edge, the Malibu carries a slightly higher MSRP of $24,700 versus the Civic's $24,595. Dimensionally, the Malibu is substantially larger, measuring 194.2 inches in length, whereas the Civic is constrained to 184.8 inches. This size translates to marginally more cargo space, 15.7 cu ft for the Chevy against 14.8 cu ft for the Honda. Both utilize FWD and CVT transmissions, but the Civic excels at efficiency while the Malibu prioritizes engine output.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Honda Civic
The 2026 Honda Civic wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 36 MPG.
2025 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu offers greater physical accommodations with a 194.2-inch length and 15.7 cu ft of cargo space.
2025 Chevrolet Malibu
The Malibu delivers superior performance specifications, boasting 163 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
2026 Honda Civic
The Civic offers better long-term ownership value by saving drivers fuel costs while maintaining a lower entry price of $24,595.
Choose the Chevrolet Malibu if...
- Maximum engine output is a priority, as the Malibu produces 163 hp.
- You require a slightly larger footprint, evidenced by its 194.2-inch overall length.
- You prefer a slightly larger cargo area, rated at 15.7 cu ft versus 14.8 cu ft.
Choose the Honda Civic if...
- Fuel efficiency is paramount, thanks to the Civic's 36 combined MPG rating.
- You are seeking the lower initial purchase price, listed at $24,595.
- Better highway range is desired, given its 41 Highway MPG rating compared to the Malibu's 36 MPG.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Malibu | Honda Civic |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.2" | 184.8" |
| Width | 73.0" | 70.9" |
| Height | 57.9" | 55.7" |
| Wheelbase | 111.0" | 107.7" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 163 hp @ 5700 rpm | 150 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm | 133 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/36 MPG | 32/41 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 31 MPG | 36 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 442.4/568.8 mi. | 396.8/508.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.8 gal. | 12.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 7.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | — | 160W |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.1 in. | 39.3 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 42.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.5 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.1 in. | 54.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 37.5 in. | 37.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.1 in. | 37.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.1 in. | 56.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 48.9 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 16 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P205/65R16 | 215/55R H |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 16 in |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and 2026 Honda Civic.
What is the precise fuel economy advantage of the 2026 Honda Civic over the 2025 Chevy Malibu?
The 2026 Honda Civic holds a clear advantage, achieving 36 MPG combined, which is 5 MPG better than the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu's combined rating of 31 MPG. This efficiency is further supported by the Civic's 41 MPG highway rating.
Which sedan offers more power for acceleration?
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu is the more powerful option, generating 163 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This performance metric exceeds the 2026 Honda Civic, which is rated at 150 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque.
Is there a significant difference in interior or storage volume between these two sedans?
The Malibu provides slightly more storage space, offering 15.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Civic's 14.8 cubic feet. Furthermore, the Malibu is physically larger overall at 194.2 inches long.
How do the MSRPs compare for these two vehicles?
The entry pricing is very close, with the 2026 Honda Civic listed at $24,595 and the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu slightly higher at $24,700. The difference amounts to just $105 at the base level.
Are the transmissions or drive types different between the Malibu and the Civic?
No, the core mechanical configurations are identical in terms of drive layout; both vehicles feature front-wheel drive (FWD) and employ a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).
Which car is better suited for long-distance highway cruising?
The 2026 Honda Civic is better suited for long-distance cruising based purely on fuel expenditure, achieving 41 Highway MPG. While both use regular unleaded fuel, the Civic maximizes distance traveled per gallon.
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