How Do the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews Compare Its Competitors?

The Chevy Malibu was well-received by the experts at Motor Trend who noted that the sedan’s turbocharged 4-cylinder engine offered “strong power” and offered plenty of tech and safety features to make most drivers happy. The Kia Optima, by comparison, was found lacking. In fact, the critics stated that the new Optima “doesn’t offer buyers any compelling reasons to buy a new one.”

While the experts at US News showered the Malibu with praise for its “smooth ride and composed handling,” the same could not be said for the Ford Fusion. Critics called the base engine “underwhelming” and noted that drivers would have to upgrade to more expensive versions of the compact car if they wanted to enjoy responsive power.

A chief competitor of the Malibu is the sporty Mazda6, which received positive reviews from experts for fuel economy and the addition of a rearview camera as standard equipment, but even this sedan fell short in the end. Experts noted that the Mazda’s navigation system was slow to respond and the manufacturer offered just one engine option, unlike the Malibu, which offers three engines and an “intuitive infotainment system” that made connectivity easy.