Compare the2022 Acura TLXVS 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Malibu doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX 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.

The TLX offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Malibu doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The TLX’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 TLX Advance has a standard Surround View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Malibu only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The TLX’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 TLX and the Malibu have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Acura TLX weighs 486 to 1095 pounds more than the Chevrolet Malibu. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	TLX	Malibu
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	172
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	216 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	29 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	258/267 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 Acura TLX is safer than the Chevrolet Malibu:

	TLX	Malibu
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	128	160
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1.3 inches
Abdominal Force	188 lbs.	232 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	181	365
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	62 G’s
Hip Force	539 lbs.	1117 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches
Hip Force	484 lbs.	549 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the TLX, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.3% less likely to roll over than the Malibu, which received a four-star rating.

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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the TLX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Malibu last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The TLX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-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 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Chevrolet covers the Malibu. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Malibu ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The TLX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Malibu’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

The battery on the TLX is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the TLX’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Malibu’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 TLX’s reliability 60 points higher than the Malibu.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 12th.

Engine

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 112 more horsepower (272 vs. 160) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 184) than the Malibu’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (272 vs. 250) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 260) than the Malibu Premier’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 105 more horsepower (355 vs. 250) and 94 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 260) than the Malibu Premier’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura TLX is faster than the Chevrolet Malibu:

	TLX turbo 4 cyl.	TLX Type S	Malibu 1.5	Malibu Premier
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	4.9 sec	8 sec	6.1 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.5 sec	5.5 sec	8.9 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	13.6 sec	16.4 sec	14.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	103 MPH	85 MPH	97 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	155 MPH	130 MPH	156 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The Malibu doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regardless of its engine, the TLX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Chevrolet only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Malibu 1.5 Turbo.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the TLX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Malibu:

	TLX	TLX Type S	Malibu
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.3 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	11.3 inches

The TLX stops much shorter than the Malibu:

	TLX	Malibu
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	148 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TLX has larger standard tires than the Malibu (235/50R18 vs. 205/65R16). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Malibu (255/35R20 vs. 245/45R18).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Malibu LS’ standard 65 series tires. The TLX Type S’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Malibu’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Malibu LS. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Malibu.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Malibu doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The TLX offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Malibu’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The TLX has 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Malibu (113 inches vs. 111.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Malibu.

The TLX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Malibu’s (61.6% to 38.4%). This gives the TLX more stable handling and braking.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the Malibu LT pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Malibu LT (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

Chassis

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Malibu doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The TLX has 1 inch more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the Malibu.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the TLX’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Malibu’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the TLX offers cargo security. The Malibu’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the TLX. The Malibu doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The TLX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Malibu uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 19th.

Ergonomics

The TLX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Malibu doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The TLX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Malibu’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. The Malibu LT/Premier’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the TLX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Malibu can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The TLX 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.

The TLX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Malibu’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The TLX Advance/Type S’ standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The TLX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Chevrolet only offers heated mirrors on the Malibu LT/Premier.

The TLX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Malibu LT/Premier.

Both the TLX and the Malibu offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the TLX has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Malibu L/LS/RS doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Recommendations

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