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Chevrolet Malibu vs Mazda MAZDA3 Sport (2025)

Price gap, MSRP + destination

$560

Car 1

Car 2

MalibuMAZDA3 SportMSRP + destination$25,895$25,335Cargo, max15.7 cu ft13.2 cu ftCargo, seats up15.7 cu ft13.0 cu ftRear legroom38.1 in35.0 inFront legroom41.5 in42.3 inSeats55
Scored measures. Each is scaled to the larger value. Bold: the winner.
Malibu LS Fleet FWD vs MAZDA3 Sport 2.5 S
MeasureMalibuMAZDA3 SportWinner
MSRP + destination$25,895$25,335MAZDA3 Sport
Horsepower163 hpN/AN/A
Torque184 lb-ftN/AN/A
MPG combined31 mpgN/AN/A
Cargo, max15.7 cu ft13.2 cu ftMalibu
Cargo, seats up15.7 cu ft13.0 cu ftMalibu
Rear legroom38.1 in35.0 inMalibu
Front legroom41.5 in42.3 inMAZDA3 Sport
Length194.2 in183.5 inNot scored
Width72.8 in71.0 inNot scored
Curb weight3,147 lbN/AN/A
Seats55About the same
Ground clearanceN/A5.5 inN/A
0-60 mph8.1 s estimateN/AN/A
Basic warranty3 yr / 36,000 mi3 yr / 36,000 miAbout the same

Not scored: length, width, curb weight. N/A rows are not counted.

Nearest trims by price

Each trim and the rival trim nearest in MSRP
TrimNearest in priceGap
Malibu LS Fleet FWD
$24,700		MAZDA3 Sport 2.5 S Select Sport
$24,760		$60
MAZDA3 Sport 2.5 S
$24,020		Malibu LS Fleet FWD
$24,700		$680

Cost to run

No total: a price or rating is missing.

12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents per kWh.

Price plus fuel or charging over 6 years
CostMalibuMAZDA3 Sport
MSRP + destination$25,895$25,335
Fuel or charging, 1 year$1,239N/A
Fuel or charging, 6 years$7,432N/A
Total, 6 years$33,327N/A

Which is better for me?

Weight each group from 0 to 10. MPG uses fuel or charging cost.

Equal weights: Malibu wins.

MAZDA3 Sport wins if Space weight is 0 or less.

Who is ahead in each group
GroupAheadBy
PriceMAZDA3 Sport2%
MPGN/A
PowerN/A
SpaceMalibu16%
TowingN/A

Other years

What this cannot tell you

Your price and mpg will differ.

Reliability and safety are not included.

How values are checked