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
| 15.8 cu.ft. | Trunk Space | 15.9 cu.ft. |
| 250 hp | Max Horsepower | 245 hp |
| Yes | OnStar | No |
If you’re looking for an advanced, efficient, and safe sedan, you’ve probably already begun researching the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Kia Optima in Cincinnati, OH. Both vehicles truly offer everything drivers are looking for in a 2018 model and even allow for a variety of luxurious, and convenient upgrades. However, one vehicle stands out as the clear winner across several important categories.
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is a powerful, intelligent, and incredibly safe sedan. And did we mention efficient? In fact, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is the only vehicle in this comparison that offers a Hybrid model, providing unprecedented fuel efficiency. However, one of the greatest features of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is the fact that for all of the advanced features it offers, most of them come standard or require minimal additional costs.
Much like the Malibu, the 2018 Kia Optima offers the latest in advanced safety and entertainment technologies. When upgraded to its highest trim levels and available features, the Optima will please even the most tech-savvy drivers. However, it will cost a hefty sum.
When it comes to the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Kia Optima, the Malibu offers more power and flexibility in its powertrain options and allows drivers to enjoy even the most advanced technologies for a fair price. Meanwhile, upgrading to even the most expensive options on the 2018 Kia Optima still won’t quite get you the power, safety, or efficiency of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. But let’s take a closer look at how these two impressive sedans compare.
Whether you plan on cruising the streets solo or transporting passengers daily, the safety of your future vehicle is one of the most important factors to consider during your search. Both the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu and 2018 Kia Optima offer advanced safety features, however, one will lead to a significant amount of additional expenses.
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is sure to please drivers with its 5 Star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA, as well as “Good” safety ratings from the IIHS. Allowing for these high marks are a slew of advanced safety features standard on all trim levels including:
For a very fair price, upgrading to the Driver Confidence Package will add on the following safety features:
This package comes highly recommended and at a minimal cost to drivers. In fact, the Driver Confidence Package is even backed by the IIHS as it chose the Chevrolet Malibu as a Top Safety Pick when equipped with this package.
On the 2018 Kia Optima, designers made it a point to offer all of the most necessary safety features standard across all trim levels. These features include:
The 2018 Kia Optima does offer other advanced safety features, however they are only available on the highest trim levels and at an additional cost. These include:
While both vehicles offer premium safety features, the 2018 Kia Optima offers fewer options at a much higher cost. Drivers researching the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Kia Optima will notice right away that the Malibu is a crowd favorite when it comes to safety. This is largely due to its fairly priced Driver Confidence Package and abundance of standard safety features, making it the clear winner in this category.
As vehicles become more efficient and capable, they also become more intelligent. In 2018, drivers expect the best of the best for onboard entertainment and both of these vehicles offer exactly that.
Drivers looking for the latest advancements in entertainment technology will be more than pleased with the standard and available options onboard the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. As your gateway to the intuitive Chevrolet MyLink system there are three different display options available including:
To enjoy the 7-inch touchscreen drivers only need to upgrade to the LS trim, the 2nd trim level, where this advanced feature is standard along with the 4G LTE WIFI Hotspot. For the ability to upgrade to either the 8-inch touchscreen or 8-inch touchscreen with Navigation, drivers can choose the LT trim. On this 3rd level trim, the Bose 9-Speaker Sound System becomes available as well as charging-only USB ports and the 4.2” Driver Information Center. To further enhance the way you enjoy your entertainment, the LT trim also offers available heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Of course, if you’d like to experience the best entertainment technology available on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, all of these features become standard on the Premier trim:
Other previously available features that become standard on the Premier trim include:
These premium convenience features truly allow you to enjoy the intuitive tech onboard the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu with the utmost luxury and comfort.
With its higher starting MSRP, the 2018 Kia Optima comes with a nice selection of standard entertainment features on its base trim including:
However, in order to experience anything more in terms of entertainment technology, drivers will have to upgrade all the way to the fourth trim level and then pay additional costs for the desired features. Upgrading to the 4th trim, the EX, will add over $3K to the starting MSRP before even factoring the costs of each available entertainment feature of interest.
If you’re a tech-savvy driver looking to experience all of the latest in entertainment technology, it’s safe to say that choosing the 2018 Kia Optima will lead to a plethora of additional costs. Add these to an already higher MSRP and the Optima becomes less and less of a value. However, with the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, the base trim doesn’t disappoint and upgrading an easy one or two trim levels truly gives drivers all the advanced features they’re looking for in a new vehicle.
Each year vehicles are becoming even more efficient and powerful, and for these two sedans, this couldn’t be more true. Both offer several powertrain options, allowing drivers to customize their vehicle when it comes to performance and efficiency. However, only one car offers a Hybrid model.
The engine that comes standard on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu is already a powerful option, producing 160 hp and 184 lb-ft torque. However, Chevrolet chose to give its customers even more power with a total of three impressive engine options:
A favorite among drivers and critics, the 1.8L 4-Cylinder Hybrid engine is a unique and incredibly efficient feature of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. In fact, drivers who choose to invest in the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid will enjoy the benefits of its 49 MPG City rating. However, even if you’re not planning on choosing the Hybrid model, you can still enjoy top-of-the-line fuel efficiency with the standard engine earning an estimated 27 MPG City/36 MPG Highway.
The 2018 Kia Optima also offers three available engine options, however, it lacks a hybrid engine and even the most powerful powertrain can’t produce to match up to the strength of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. Here are the three engine options offered for the 2018 Kia Optima:
When it comes down to the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2018 Kia Optima in regards to the powertrain, drivers are likely to be more pleased with the increased power of the Malibu as well as its flexibility with the Hybrid option. While the 2018 Kia Optima certainly does not disappoint, it cannot compete in terms of power and hybrid options.
*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.
