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The midsize sedan and compact crossover segments are two of the most popular in the auto market. Both offer practicality and a good blend of features and performance at an affordable price point for many buyers. Two models that represent the best of their respective segments are the Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan and the Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover. This article will compare and contrast these two models across several key factors to help determine which is the better choice for different buyers.
Exterior Styling and Dimensions
The Chevrolet Malibu has the traditional sedan profile with a long hood, sloping roofline, and short trunk. The current model features Chevrolet’s signature grille design along with sculpted lines and creases along the sides and rear that give it an athletic, contemporary look. With a length of 193.8 inches on a 111.4-inch wheelbase, the Malibu has proportions typical of a midsize sedan.
The Equinox crossover, meanwhile, looks more upright and squared-off than the Malibu. It’s taller and boxier, with black plastic cladding along the wheel arches and side sills. But it still features some nice sculpting along the sides to avoid looking too much like a traditional SUV. At 183.1 inches long on a 107.3-inch wheelbase, the Equinox is considerably more compact than the Malibu.
Winner: Draw – The Malibu has a more elegant, traditional sedan look while the Equinox has a more muscular, SUV-inspired design. Styling preference will depend largely on whether you like sedans or crossovers.
Passenger and Cargo Room
Inside, the Malibu offers good room for four or five passengers but isn’t the most spacious in its class. Front seat occupants get plenty of head and legroom but the sloping roofline does cut into rear seat headroom a bit. Total passenger volume is 100.0 cubic feet. The trunk is a respectable 15.7 cubic feet, which is competitive for a midsize sedan.
The Equinox offers slightly more passenger room at 103.2 cubic feet total, though rear legroom is still fairly tight. The big advantage for the Equinox is in cargo capacity – with the rear seats up it offers 29.9 cubic feet of space, nearly double what the Malibu trunk provides. Fold the seats down and you get a cavernous 63.5 cubic feet in the Equinox.
Winner: Chevrolet Equinox – The crossover’s boxy shape pays dividends in interior roominess and cargo versatility.
Powertrain Options
The Malibu offers just one engine choice: a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Equinox also has a turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder base engine, but it’s more powerful at 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. Higher Equinox trims upgrade to a 230-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. Both engines get a six-speed automatic transmission.
In terms of fuel economy, the Malibu is rated by the EPA at 32 mpg combined (29 city/36 highway) while the Equinox with the 1.5-liter engine achieves 28 mpg combined (26/31). So the Malibu has an edge in fuel efficiency.
Winner: Chevrolet Malibu – The sedan’s exclusive turbo 1.5-liter engine offers a better balance of power and efficiency. The Equinox does offer a more muscular 2.0-liter upgrade however.
Ride and Handling
The Malibu prides itself on delivering a quiet, comfortable ride that’s cushioned from road imperfections but still handles decently for a midsize sedan. The suspension smooths out bumps and isolates the cabin from noise but isn’t overly floaty or disconnected. The steering likewise provides respectable precision and feedback. This is a sedan that prioritizes refinement over sportiness in its tuning.
Riding on a similar suspension setup as the Malibu, the Equinox also focuses on ride comfort, though its taller height does result in some more body lean in corners. The steering is light and low on feedback. Overall, it handles capably for a compact crossover but within the segment is not the sportiest option. Ride quality is absorbent and smooth.
Winner: Chevrolet Malibu – The sedan’s lower center of gravity and more controlled suspension tuning give it an edge in handling performance. Ride comfort is close between the two.
Trim Levels and Features
The Malibu is available in four trim levels: L, RS, LT, and Premier. Pricing ranges from around $24,500 for a base L model up to $34,500 for a loaded Premier. The RS and Premier trims make up better-equipped sporty and luxury variants of the Malibu. Standard equipment highlights on lower trims include an 8-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and advanced driver aids like forward collision warning and lane keep assist. Moving up the range adds options like leather seats, Bose audio, heated rear seats, wireless charging, and other upscale amenities.
The Equinox is offered in five trims: L, LS, LT, ACTIV, and Premier. Base prices range from around $26,500 on the L to $35,500 on a top Premier model. The ACTIV and Premier are styling/amenities-focused variants of the Equinox, similar to the Malibu’s RS and Premier. Key standard features are similar to what the Malibu offers, with extras like a power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, and blind spot monitoring available as you move up. Unique Equinox options include a power liftgate and a surround-view parking camera system.
Winner: Draw – Both vehicles offer comparable trim ranges with similar pricing and wide availability of popular comfort/tech options. The Equinox does offer some extra family-friendly options however.
Safety Ratings
Safety is a high priority for both Chevrolet models. The Malibu earns excellent marks from the IIHS, scoring Good in all crash tests along with a Superior rating for front crash prevention when equipped with the available automatic emergency braking system. It misses out on the Top Safety Pick awards only because its headlights don’t rate Acceptable or Good. The NHTSA gives it an overall 5-star rating.
The Equinox also performs well in safety testing, earning identical Good crash test and Superior front crash prevention results from the IIHS, along with the same headlight issue. The NHTSA rates it just slightly lower at 4 stars overall.
Winner: Draw – Both vehicles demonstrate very strong crashworthiness and offer effective active safety features like automatic emergency braking as options. Safety should not be a determining factor between these two.
The Bottom Line
The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Equinox each have their high points. The Malibu offers sleeker styling, better fuel economy, and a more car-like driving experience. But the Equinox counters with superior passenger and cargo room, more powerful engine options, and extra family-friendly features.
Shoppers wanting an affordable, practical sedan with polished road manners should consider the Malibu. Those needing maximum interior space and versatility are better served by the Equinox or a similar small crossover SUV. It’s a close matchup between two compelling Chevy models.
Conclusion
In summary, the Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan and Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover each have strengths and weaknesses depending on a buyer’s needs. The Malibu excels in exterior styling, fuel efficiency, and overall driving dynamics while the Equinox offers greater interior roominess and cargo versatility. Both models come well-equipped for the price with similar ranges of technology and safety options available. For shoppers seeking a traditional sedan, the Malibu represents the better value, while growing families are likely to prefer the flexible Equinox. Ultimately, setting priorities for styling, efficiency, space, and driving feel can help determine which of these popular Chevrolets is the right fit.
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