2015 Chevrolet Malibu vs. 2015 Ford Fusion

Mid-sized sedans have to balance speed and strength with agile handling, and provide a driving experience that is equally exceptional on both city streets and highways. The standard engine in the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu achieves that balance, and while the Fusion offers more total options, none of them provide everything that drivers are really looking for. Also, unless you are a mechanic, comparing the unnecessary number of Fusion powertrains can be confusing and overwhelming.

• The standard engine in the Malibu is a 2.5L four-cylinder that puts out 196 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque. If you are more interested in power, a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that puts out 259 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque is available on the 3LT and 2LTZ trims.
• The Fusion offers three nearly identical engine options—a 2.5L four-cylinder and turbocharged 1.5L and 1.6L four-cylinders—that top out below the Malibu with a maximum of 182 hp and 185 lb-ft of toque. A stronger turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder puts out 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, also less than the Malibu.

Differences of just a few mpg translate into huge cost differences over the lifetime of a vehicle. The better fuel economy ratings offered by the Malibu will translate into lots more money in your pocket over the long term.

The base engine in the Malibu delivers 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The base engine in the Fusion delivers just 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The fuel efficiency ratings for the stronger Malibu engine fall just short of the Fusion’s, but keep in minds that the Malibu engine puts out significantly more power.

The 2015 Chevy Malibu is available at six different trim levels, while the Fusion offers just three. That means you can pick the Chevy vehicle that offers the exact menu of features you require, and not have to pay for an expensive options package like you would with the Fusion. Plus, while both vehicles offer most of the same features, only the Malibu comes with 4G LTE internet coverage that extend high-speed Wi-Fi access to up to seven devices simultaneously. This appealing advanced feature comes standard on every trim.

You can tell a lot about how an automaker feels about a model by the type of warranty they offer. When you compare the Malibu and the Fusion, it’s clear that Chevy is a lot more confident in their car to travel more miles with fewer issues.

• Chevy Malibu Warranty: 100,000 miles of coverage for both the powertrain/drivetrain limited warranty and roadside assistance coverage.
• Ford Fusion Warranty: 60,000 miles of coverage for both the powertrain/drivetrain limited warranty and roadside assistance coverage.

Both of these are safe vehicles, but independent crash tests reveal that the Malibu is the car you would rather be driving when something happens on the road.

• NHTSA Safety Ratings: The Malibu received a perfect five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Fusion received only four stars overall.
• IIHS Safety Ratings: In IIHS testing, the Malibu received the highest rating of “Good” in the important small-overlap frontal-offset crash test. In the same test, the Fusion was only rated at “Acceptable.”