Honda Accord vs. Chevy Malibu

From the first day of freshman year to your graduation day, you’ll make many lifelong friendships. This means you’ll need a vehicle that accommodates your whole crew, so everyone can join in on midnight fast food runs or seasonal festivities in your college town.

The Malibu offers 100 cubic feet of passenger space for you and your friend group. However, the Accord offers even more: 105.7 cubic feet, to be exact! Extra wiggle room is a big plus, especially when the whole group is on board.

Once you’ve explored every mom-and-pop shop and kitschy diner in your college town, it’s time to spread your wings and venture beyond! As soon as classes are over, the Accord’s and the Malibu’s spacious interiors make it easy to pack your weekend bags, set your destination, and go. Which one offers more trunk space, though?

• Honda Accord Trunk Capacity: 16.7 cubic feet
• Chevy Malibu Trunk Capacity: 15.7 cubic feet

The difference is slight, but the Accord offers extra cargo space for luggage, your entire wardrobe, moving boxes, or party supplies.

The Honda and the Chevy both equip a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which will give you a confidence boost when driving to job interviews. However, the Accord is more powerful than the Malibu. The Honda’s standard engine outputs 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, while the Chevy’s produces 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

Plus, drivers can opt for a hybrid Honda Accord, which generates up to 204 horsepower and achieves impressive fuel efficiency.

Do you commute to school? Do you need a ride that can take you to your after-school coffeehouse job? If either situation applies to you, longevity will be your best friend. The Honda Accord EX-L Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 51 city/44 highway MPG rating, but will the standard Accord or the Malibu be more fuel efficient?^*

The Honda Accord LX and EX trims achieve an EPA-estimated 29 city/37 highway MPG, which bests the Chevy Malibu’s EPA-estimated 27 city/35 highway MPG rating.^* You’ll experience more interruption-free miles in the Accord! Who can say no to that?

Life may be a rollercoaster, but Honda Sensing® and Chevy Safety Assist make the twists, turns, and loops look easy! These are the standard safety suites on the Accord and the Malibu, and they are quite comparable. They have these features in common:

A Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor is available with either sedan, which will come in handy when reversing out of a parking spot into a congested lot.

If you’re to put your safety into the care of one sedan, let it be the Honda Accord. This model’s standard safety suite comes with even more standard features, such as:

These systems constantly monitor your driving input as well as the traffic around you, making sure you get back home safe and sound. Unfortunately, the Chevy goes without similar features.