Compare the2022 Hyundai ElantraVS 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Hyundai Elantra are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Malibu doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Elantra Limited has standard Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Malibu doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Elantra’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Malibu.

The Elantra has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Malibu’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Elantra has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Malibu.

The Elantra’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Malibu doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Elantra and the Malibu have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra is safer than the Chevrolet Malibu:

	Elantra	Malibu
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	142	172
Leg Forces (l/r)	66/48 lbs.	252/306 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra is safer than the Chevrolet Malibu:

	Elantra	Malibu
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	83	160
Chest Movement	1.2 inches	1.3 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	345	365
Hip Force	355 lbs.	1117 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	12 inches
HIC	184	279

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Elantra the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Malibu last would have qualified as a “Top Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Elantra comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Malibu’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Chevrolet covers the Malibu. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Malibu ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Elantra’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Malibu’s (7/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Malibu.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Elantra’s reliability 38 points higher than the Malibu.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 11 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Elantra is faster than the Chevrolet Malibu 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Elantra	Malibu
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	8.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.4 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	86 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra gets better mileage than the Malibu:

		MPG
Elantra
	SE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	33 city/43 hwy
	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/41 hwy
Malibu
	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/36 hwy
	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/33 hwy

Both the Elantra SE and the Malibu 1.5 Turbo have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All Elantra SEs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Elantra uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Malibu Premier requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Brakes and Stopping

The Elantra stops shorter than the Malibu:

	Elantra	Malibu
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	130 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Elantra has standard rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Malibu’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Elantra has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Malibu doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Elantra Limited handles at .88 G’s, while the Malibu LT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Elantra’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Malibu’s (35.4 feet vs. 37 feet).

Chassis

The Hyundai Elantra may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 400 pounds less than the Chevrolet Malibu.

The Elantra is 10.1 inches shorter than the Malibu, making the Elantra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Elantra has 1.5 inches more front headroom and .8 inches more front legroom than the Malibu.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Elantra easier. The Elantra’s trunk lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the Malibu’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the Elantra SEL/Limited’s trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The Malibu doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

The Elantra has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Malibu doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Elantra, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Malibu isn't recommended.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Chevrolet Malibu by over two to one during the 2021 model year.