Compared: 2024 Chevrolet Malibu vs. 2024 Nissan Altima

These sedans are affordable and well equipped, but one delivers more versatility.

Sami Haj-Assaad | 

Aug 29, 2024 | 3 min read

Chevrolet | Nissan

Crossovers get all the love thanks to features such as all-wheel drive and practical liftgates, but many car shoppers can get more for their money with a sedan. The 2024 Chevrolet Malibu and 2024 Nissan Altima are relatively fuel-efficient choices with a wide range of safety and technology features.

Nissan

The Altima Offers More Drivetrain Options

The 2024 Nissan Altima starts at about $27,000 for the base S model. The SV model is an additional $800, and the more aggressive-looking SR packs sport-tuned suspension and starts at around $29,000. The nearly $34,000 SL is fully loaded, though you can add all-wheel drive (AWD) to the SL, SV, and SR for $1,500.

All Altima trim levels come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 188 horsepower, except the $37,000 SR VC-Turbo model, which comes with a 248-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The turbo is front-wheel drive (FWD) only. Both engines come with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Chevrolet

Chevrolet doesn't offer all-wheel drive or an optional engine upgrade on the Malibu. All models sport front-wheel drive and a 163-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT.

The Malibu comes in four trims. The entry-level LS costs around $26,000, while the slick-looking RS with blacked-out badges and 18-inch wheels goes for about $27,000. The $29,000 1LT gets 17-inch wheels but adds more creature comforts, while the 2LT at the top of the lineup is $33,000. Shoppers can add features such as adaptive cruise control and parking assistance for $1,000 as part of the Driver Confidence and Cruise Package.

Chevrolet

Features Aplenty in the Malibu

The Malibu includes forward-collision warning and lane-keep assistance as standard equipment and offers blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control as options on top-trim models.

The Chevrolet Malibu comes standard with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are optional on SV and SR Altimas; a wired connection is standard. Wireless smartphone mirroring comes standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo models.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is not available on Altima's S models.

The Malibu has an 8.0-inch screen and includes navigation on the 2LT model. Both cars offer heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, and the Malibu can be had with a dual-pane sunroof. The Altima can be optioned with a single-panel moonroof.

Nissan

All Altima trims come with forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and automatic high-beams. Nissan's ProPilot Assist feature, a driver-assistance suite with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and more is available on the SV trim and above.

Base models feature a 7.0-inch touchscreen, while 8.0-inch and 12.3-inch units are available on higher-trim models.

Nissan

The Altima Wins the Fuel-Economy Matchup

The two cars offer similar fuel economy in many configurations, though you can get more out of the Altima, depending on the trim. As reported to the EPA, the base model should return 27/39/32 mpg city/highway/combined, while the SL and SR manage 27/37/31 mpg. The AWD-equipped models deliver 26/36/30 mpg, and the VC-Turbo gets 25/34/29 mpg.

Chevrolet

The 2023 Malibu achieved 27/35/30 mpg in the EPA's test cycles. The 2024 figures were unavailable at the time of publication, but as the Malibu returns unchanged for 2024, it should earn the same rating.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami Haj-Assaad is an award-winning automotive journalist who has contributed to several automotive, electric vehicle, luxury lifestyle, and technology publications. His work isn't just limited to the written word, as he's also hosted YouTube videos and podcasts. Having grown up in the '90s, he has a strong sense of attachment to that era's style, though he also loves to geek out about the modern, futuristic tech and powertrains rolling out today.