Compare the2022 Chevrolet MalibuVS 2022 Audi A3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Malibu are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Malibu and the A3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Malibu the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 213 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A3 has not been tested, yet.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Malibu 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 10 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Malibu’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Malibu second among midsize cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The A3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

The Malibu Premier’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (250 vs. 201) and 39 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Malibu has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Malibu has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Quattro’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 14.5 gallons).

The Malibu has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chevrolet Malibu Premier, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A3.

The Malibu has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The A3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the Malibu’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A3 (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Malibu offers optional 19-inch wheels. The A3’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Malibu’s wheelbase is 7.9 inches longer than on the A3 (111.4 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Malibu is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the A3.

The Chevrolet Malibu may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Audi A3.

The front grille of the Malibu (except 2.0 Turbo) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Malibu a Mid-size car, while the A3 is rated a Subcompact.

The Malibu has 15.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 (102.9 vs. 87).

The Malibu has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3.

The Malibu has a much larger trunk than the A3 Sedan (15.7 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The Malibu offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Malibu LS/LT/Premier’s available exterior PIN entry system. The A3 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

On extremely cold winter days, the Malibu’s optional (except LS/RS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The A3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Malibu Premier has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The A3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Chevrolet Malibu outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over 13 to one during the 2021 model year.