Compare the2023 Chevrolet MalibuVS 2023 Kia Stinger

The Chevrolet Malibu has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Stinger doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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

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

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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Malibu is safer than the Kia Stinger:

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

The Malibu’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Stinger’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Malibu’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Malibu first among midsize cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Stinger isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fourth.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Malibu uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Stinger requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 Stinger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Malibu higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Stinger (3). This means the Malibu produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Stinger every 15,000 miles.

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 Stinger doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Malibu stops shorter than the Stinger:

For better traction, the Malibu’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Stinger (245/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

The Malibu handles at .88 G’s, while the Stinger pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Malibu executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Stinger (26.4 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Malibu may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1000 pounds less than the Kia Stinger.

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 Stinger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Malibu LT is quieter than the Stinger GT2:

The Malibu has 9.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Stinger (102.9 vs. 93.8).

The Malibu has .8 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Stinger.

The front step up height for the Malibu is 2 inches lower than the Stinger (13.5” vs. 15.5”). The Malibu’s rear step up height is .9 inches lower than the Stinger’s (14.1” vs. 15”).

The Malibu has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Stinger has no towing capacity.

The Malibu’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Stinger does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Malibu’s standard front and rear power windows all lower 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 Stinger’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

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’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Stinger doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the Malibu’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Stinger’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Malibu to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Stinger doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Malibu LT offers an optional 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 Stinger doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Malibu LT’s optional Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Stinger doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Malibu owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Malibu will cost $2425 less than the Stinger over a five-year period.

The Malibu will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Malibu will retain 45.49% to 46.05% of its original price after five years, while the Stinger only retains 43.02% to 43.71%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Malibu will be $17448 to $31265 less than for the Kia Stinger.

The Chevrolet Malibu outsold the Kia Stinger by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.