New & Used: 9673 Kings Auto Mall Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Used: 435 E Galbraith Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45215
Sales:
(513) 741-1111
Service:
(513) 697-5200
Starting at
Starting at
| 27 / 36 | MPG | 23 / 34 |
| 9-speed automatic | Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| 184 lb-ft | Torque | 175 lb-ft |
Chevrolet engineers definitely worked hard to impress with the new 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. They wanted the Malibu to be handsome and sleek and to turn heads. It has a heavy sheet metal look and its front end is aggressive. It is anything but dull. The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is not lacking in what makes a great vehicle. With a smooth ride and handling with a roomy cabin, the Malibu even offers the best in infotainment. The Malibu also doesn’t skimp on safety-tech.
The 2018 Ford Fusion is available with six engines. Chevrolet drivers are excited about the high horsepower it gets: up to 325 hp. That is one specific engine, while others can be equipped with all-wheel drive. Two of the engines are hybrids, making for much better fuel economy.
For luxury in the Ford Fusion, you must upgrade, but you have five trim levels to choose from. Ford does it’s best to step up to the plate as far as speed and good looks, however, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu simply has more features to offer the savvy car buyer. Let’s see what happens when we compare the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs The 2018 Ford Fusion in Cincinnati, OH go head to head.
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu LT trim can boast two USB ports for rear-seat passengers, wireless device charging, and the coveted 8.0-inch touchscreen which is the best you can get in infotainment. Combined with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and remote start, you have the best in luxury sedans when you choose the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu LT trim can boast two USB ports for rear-seat passengers, wireless device charging, and the coveted 8.0-inch touchscreen which is the best you can get in infotainment. Combined with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and remote start, you have the best in luxury sedans when you choose the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu.
Designers of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu clearly had ergonomics in mind with Malibu’s modern, sleek look. With a padded leatherette interior, sometimes dark, sometimes brightly simple is popular among critics and drivers alike. They especially like how the HVAC controls are smartly accessible and functionally marked. It’s only complimented further by the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and because the Malibu has so many great infotainment features, the interior screen is large and functional. The physical controls and touchscreen technology easily and smartly coexist.
The 2018 Ford Fusion gets a 3-star cargo space and storage rating. Only the gas-powered Fusion has a substantial amount of storage, however, while the hybrids seem to lack necessary space in the trunk. Also keep in mind, that there have been no changes to the interior on the 2018 Ford Fusion. Just as in the 2018 model, the rear seats fold nicely, no matter what trim you upgrade to which is imperative since most trims lack that rear space.
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu draws in some of the highest fuel efficiency available from a mid-size car: Up to 27 city / 36 highway. You don’t necessarily have to upgrade to the hybrid engine either. The Malibu’s classic engine is efficient enough with 13 to 15.8-gal fuel tank capacity. But if you do decide to upgrade to the hybrid option you are only improving the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
The Fusion’s Twin-turbo V-6 is still a pretty thirsty engine. The best engines available for the Ford Fusion are only available in the top-level trims. And these turbocharged gasoline engines still leave something to be desired when compared to other vehicle EPA fuel-economy numbers. Critics and drivers also noted that not much has changed for the Fusion as numbers haven’t changed since 2017.
Sedans are typically seen now as family vehicles, and that’s what most considered the Chevrolet Malibu in the past. It has speedy turbocharged engines to choose from that get a high amount of torque. The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu’s 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four is offered with the higher trims. Purchasing the trim that comes with the hybrid engine is a smart choice, as the 1.5 and the six-speed automatic transmission pair well. The Malibu can cleanly and smoothly get from 0 to 60 mph in well under 9 seconds. The six-speed transmission has made the process of shifting ever seamless because Chevrolet takes pride in updating this feature with every new model. Critics and drivers alike say the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu handles like a dream.
It requires light effort and makes for reasonably crisp handling. This allows for the Malibu’s body motions to be well controlled and predictable. This is a unique feature among sedans and even paired with the Redline packages’ 19-inch wheels, the ride remains well-fitting.
The engine and transmission rating for the 2018 Ford Fusion is 4 stars. Ford Fusion engineers created many diverse engines. Critics are unimpressed by most of them calling them purely competent or lukewarm. A few are considered speedy, with a six-speed automatic transmission and two hybrid powertrains provide the least gas-guzzling, smoothest drive.
Most of what is exciting about the Ford Fusion’s engine hasn’t changed much since 2017. Critics and experts alike don’t expect to see any more changes until 2019. The 2017 powertrain offerings are mostly considered lackluster by drivers and critics alike, only getting up to 245-hp with a turbocharged 2.0-liter, and you can only score this engines with an upgrade to the highest trim levels.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
