While crossovers and SUVs may seem like the kings of the road these days, few can boast the same fuel efficiency and sleek styling you’ll find in a midsize sedan. So you may find yourself asking, what sets one sedan apart from another?
Let’s take a closer look at two of the most popular midsize sedans on the road, the new 2022 Chevrolet Malibu and 2022 Nissan Altima, and discover what makes them stand apart from the rest.
Exterior
Few vehicles are as sleek and stylish as a sedan, and the new 2022 Chevrolet Malibu and 2022 Nissan Altima are no exceptions to that rule. These midsize cars turn heads with their chiseled lines, dual exhaust outlets, and eye-catching wheel styles. The new Chevy Malibu makes a bold entrance with its dual-port grille emblazoned with the iconic Chevy bowtie logo. Meanwhile, the new Nissan Altima offers a more subdued debut with its V-motion grille.
Taking a look over the spec sheets, we’ll find that the new Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima are close to the same size, though the new Malibu squeaks out ahead in each category:
- Length
- Chevrolet Malibu: 194.2 inches
- Nissan Altima: 192.9 inches
- Wheelbase
- Chevrolet Malibu: 111.4 inches
- Nissan Altima: 111.2 inches
- Width
- Chevrolet Malibu: 73.0 inches
- Nissan Altima: 72.9 inches
- Height
- Chevrolet Malibu: 57.9 inches
- Nissan Altima: 56.7 inches
The new Chevy Malibu is available in seven colors and seven wheel styles, while the new Nissan Altima offers nine colors but only four roller styles to choose from. On both sedans, you’ll find LED headlights, intelligent auto on/off headlights, and heated side-view mirrors.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
- Slightly larger than the new Nissan Altima
- Offers more wheel styles to choose from
Interior
The new 2022 Chevy Malibu and 2022 Nissan Altima were designed with comfort in mind. These midsize sedans both offer available eight-way power driver’s seats that make it easy to get your seat just right. They also offer leather seating for elevated comfort levels and have sleek, contemporary dashboards set up with easy-to-reach knobs and buttons.
When it comes to the spec sheets, the new Chevy Malibu offers more space for rear passengers than the Nissan Altima:
- Front Headroom
- Chevrolet Malibu: 39.1 inches
- Nissan Altima: 39.1 inches
- Front Legroom
- Chevrolet Malibu: 41.5 inches
- Nissan Altima: 43.8 inches
- Rear Headroom
- Chevrolet Malibu: 37.5 inches
- Nissan Altima: 36.9 inches
- Rear Legroom
- Chevrolet Malibu: 38.1 inches
- Nissan Altima: 35.2 inches
The new Chevy Malibu and Nissan Altima offer over 15 cubic feet of trunk space. They also have 60/40 split-folding rear seats that make it easy to accommodate longer cargo. Both of these midsize sedans feature dual-zone automatic climate control, steering-wheel-mounted controls, and auto-dimming rearview mirrors.
Chevy offers the new Malibu with ventilated front seats, while the new Nissan Altima has available heated front seats. The new Chevy Malibu also has an eight-inch driver information display while the new Nissan Altima only features a seven-inch driver information display.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
- Available with ventilated seats that keep you cool in the winter
- Has a larger driver information display than the Altima
Technology
Say goodbye to boring road trips with the new Malibu’s Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus system that offers wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Sync your device to stream music, answer calls, and look up directions from the 8-inch touchscreen. This midsize sedan also features a 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot (data plan required) that supports up to seven devices, so you and your passengers miss nothing.
Over on the new Altima, you’ll find the NissanConnect® infotainment system. Like its counterpart, this system includes smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s also paired with an 8-inch touchscreen and features a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot that supports up to seven devices.
Both of these midsize sedans are available with nine-speaker Bose® premium audio systems and a trial subscription of SiriusXM Satellite Radio. However, only the new Chevy Malibu is available with Alexa Built-In, a 120-volt power outlet, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
- Available with a wireless smartphone charging pad
- Features a 120-volt power outlet for on-the-go charging
- Alexa Built-In lets you enjoy the benefits of your Amazon account from anywhere
Safety
When it comes to your safety, the new 2022 Chevrolet Malibu and 2022 Nissan Altima leave nothing to chance. These midsize sedans offer loads of advanced safety features, including:
- Forward-collision alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Side blind-zone alert
- Lane-change alert
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear park assist
- LATCH system for car seats
- Tire-pressure monitoring system
There are a few things you’ll only find on the new 2022 Chevy Malibu though. This midsize sedan features automatic parking assist that can identify a suitable parallel or perpendicular parking spot and steer the vehicle into place for you. It also offers OnStar® Automatic Crash Response that can alert emergency personnel to your location when you’ve been in an accident.
The new Malibu also offers Chevy’s Teen Driver technology. This feature helps you teach young drivers the ways of the road and develop safe driving habits even when you’re not there. With this system, you can customize vehicle settings to limit certain features and print an in-vehicle report card to give you information on their driving performance. This makes it easy to identify where they did well and where they need improvement.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
- Features automatic parking assist to help you steer into parallel and perpendicular parking spots
- OnStar® Automatic Crash Response has your back in the event of an accident
- Teen Driver technology helps you teach young drivers safe road habits
Performance
Let’s take a look at what each of these sedans offer below their hoods.
The new 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is available with two engines to choose from:
- 1.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Engine
- 160 horsepower
- 184 pound-feet of torque
- 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Engine
- 250 horsepower
- 260 pound-feet of torque
With the standard 1.5-liter engine, the new Chevy Malibu achieves 36 mpg highway.
Chevy pairs the new Malibu with an available nine-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth, comfortable gear shifts. This midsize sedan also has a MacPherson front strut and four-link rear suspension that absorbs all the bumps in the road to ensure a comfortable ride.
The new 2022 Nissan Altima follows the trends set by the Malibu with two engines to choose from as well:
- 2.5-liter Four-Cylinder Engine
- 188 horsepower
- 180 pound-feet of torque
- 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Engine
- 248 horsepower
- 273 pound-feet of torque
The Altima achieves a fuel rating of 39 mpg highway with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Nissan pairs the Altima with a continuously variable transmission and it features an available intelligent all-wheel drive system. For the suspension, we’ll find the new Altima has an independent front strut suspension and a multi-link rear suspension.
Advantage of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu
- Turbocharged engine offers more horsepower than the Altima’s
- Four-cylinder engine achieves more pound-feet of torque
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
Which Should You Buy?
With a starting MSRP of $23,400, we think the new Chevrolet Malibu is the one to go with. This midsize sedan offers loads of style, advanced technology, and plenty of power under the hood. Whether you’re using this as your commuter or your everyday vehicle, the new Chevy Malibu ensures all eyes are on you.
Wait no longer to fall in love with the new 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. Call Garber Chevrolet Midland at (989) 839-9944 to schedule a test drive. Or stop in to see us at 1700 N Saginaw Rd, Midland, MI 48640.
