The Optima (except LX/EX) offers an optional Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Malibu only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.
Both the Optima and the Malibu have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.
The Optima 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 and 24,000 miles sooner.
Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Optima 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.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 7th.
As tested in Motor Trend the Optima LX Turbo 1.6 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Chevrolet Malibu 1.5 turbo 4 cyl.:
Optima |
Malibu |
|
Zero to 60 MPH |
7.5 sec |
8.5 sec |
Quarter Mile |
15.8 sec |
16.5 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
90.1 MPH |
84.6 MPH |
On the EPA test cycle the Optima LX Turbo gets better fuel mileage than the Malibu (28 city/39 hwy vs. 27 city/37 hwy).
To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Optima uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Malibu with the 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.
The Optima has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Malibu 1.5 Turbo’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 13 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Optima has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Malibu 2.0 Turbo’s optional fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.8 gallons).
For better stopping power the Optima’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Malibu:
Optima |
Malibu |
|
Front Rotors |
12 inches |
11.8 inches |
The Optima stops shorter than the Malibu:
Optima |
Malibu |
||
60 to 0 MPH |
118 feet |
127 feet |
Motor Trend |
For better maneuverability, the Optima’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Malibu’s (35.8 feet vs. 37 feet).
Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Optima is rated a Large car by the EPA, while the Malibu is rated a Mid-size.
The Optima has .7 inches more front headroom, 3.5 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 2.6 inches more rear hip room than the Malibu.
To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Optima LX Turbo/EX/SX/SXL’s trunk can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the 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.
The Optima’s optional front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Malibu LT/Premier’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.
To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Optima SX/SXL has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Malibu doesn’t offer cornering lights.
Both the Optima and the Malibu offer available heated front seats. The Optima also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Malibu.
Both the Optima and the Malibu offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Optima offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Malibu L/LS doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.
Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Optima, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Chevrolet only offers wireless connectivity on the Malibu LS/LT/Premier.
© 1991-2016 Advanta-STAR Automotive Research. All rights reserved.
Who We Are
Click here
to view the disclaimers, limitations and notices about EPA fuel mileage, crash tests, coprights, trademarks, and other issues.