Compare the2025 Hyundai SonataVS 2025 Chevrolet Malibu

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
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 Hyundai Sonata 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 its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Hyundai Sonata 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.

With its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, the Hyundai Sonata is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chevrolet Malibu, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Sonata	Malibu
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	-8 MPH
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-3 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	1.8 sec	1.3 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.4 sec	No Warning

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Sonata achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Chevrolet Malibu has not been tested.

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

The Sonata has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Malibu’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sonata has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Malibu and the Malibu’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Sonata’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 Sonata and the Malibu have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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 and rearview cameras.

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

	Sonata	Malibu
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33%	36%
Neck Stress	98 lbs.	169 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	29/21 lbs.	162/232 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 Sonata is safer than the Chevrolet Malibu:

	Sonata	Malibu
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	160
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.3 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	250	365
Spine Acceleration	60 G’s	62 G’s
Hip Force	223 lbs.	1117 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	264	279

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Sonata is much safer than the Malibu:

	Sonata	Malibu
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	POOR
Head Injury Criterion	180	1178
Head Peak Forces	no contact	142 G’s
Neck Tension	268 lbs.	402 lbs.
Neck Compression	-89 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.38 in	2.17 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.42 in	1.77 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1049 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	95	335
Head Peak Forces	no contact	74 G’s
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	469 lbs.
Neck Compression	-156 lbs.	22 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.98 in	1.93 in
Shoulder Force	312 lbs.	892 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.81 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	469 lbs.	870 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL

The Hyundai Sonata (Built after November 2024) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Malibu is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The Sonata 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 Sonata 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 Sonata’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 Sonata for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 Sonata’s reliability 30 points higher than the Malibu.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 6 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (191 vs. 163) than the Malibu’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 127 more horsepower (290 vs. 163) and 127 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 184) than the Malibu’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl. is faster than the Chevrolet Malibu:

	Sonata	Malibu
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	8.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.2 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	86 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata SE 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Malibu (28 city/38 hwy vs. 28 city/36 hwy).

The Sonata has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Malibu. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The Sonata N Line’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Malibu doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Sonata SEL	Sonata N Line	Malibu
Front Rotors	12 inches	13.6 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	12.8 inches	11.3 inches

The Sonata stops shorter than the Malibu:

	Sonata	Malibu
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

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

The Sonata 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.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sonata is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Malibu.

The Sonata N Line handles at .87 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 Sonata’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Malibu’s (35.9 feet vs. 37 feet).

Passenger Space

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

The Sonata has .9 inches more front headroom, 4.6 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear hip room than the Malibu.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Sonata easier. The Sonata’s trunk lift-over height is 27 inches, while the Malibu’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Sonata’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Malibu’s useful trunk space.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sonata’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, 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.

Servicing Ease

The Sonata 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.

Ergonomics

The Sonata’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Malibu’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The Sonata SEL/N Line’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Malibu LT’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Sonata’s 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 Sonata’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Malibu’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Compared to traditional radio, the Hyundai Sonata’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Malibu LT.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonata second among midsize cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Malibu isn’t in the top three.

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