2022 Honda Civic vs. 2022 Chevy Malibu
The Honda Civic and Chevy Malibu are two popular sedans that are often compared to one another. If you’re in the market for a new car, you may be wondering which of these vehicles is right for you. At Nucar Honda of Norwood, we want to help you find a great sedan and we’ve put together a comparison of the Civic and the Malibu to make your decision easier. Keep reading to learn more about the features and performance of these two great vehicles.
Exterior
The 2022 Civic and the 2022 Malibu have both come a long way since their initial releases. Each car now features an updated exterior with the sleek lines we expect in 2022. The Malibu is available in a wide variety of bright colors and features 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels depending on the trim. Style-conscious customers can check out the Midnight and Sport editions, which feature blacked-out accents instead of the usual chrome.

Image via Honda.com
The 2022 Civic is no slouch when it comes to bold looks. Its updated design features a lower and wider frame, giving the vehicle great stability. The cabin also features more glass areas than previous models. LED headlights are now standard on all Civics and customers can update their ride with available features like 18-inch black alloy wheels, spoilers, blacked-out emblems, door visors, and splash guards. Whatever your style, the Civic can accommodate it with a range of vibrant colors, including Rallye Red, Aegean Blue, Crystal Black, Lunar Silver, Meteorite Gray, Morning Mist, Sonic Gray, and Platinum White.
Interior
Comfort is a primary concern for many, and both the Malibu and the Civic deliver. Chevy’s Malibu features a simple but nicely styled interior that’s available in a variety of colors. It seats five passengers and includes plenty of space, especially in the rear seats. The Civic also seats five and offers a spacious interior with excellent visibility.
The Civic’s attractively contoured seats are available with leather trim and are heated for maximum comfort. Your ride will be further enhanced by a power moon roof, dual-zone climate control, and eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat. If you need room for extra gear, the Civic’s rear seats fold down to reveal a spacious cargo compartment.
Drivetrain
Both the Civic and the Malibu have multiple powertrain options that feature in different trims. The standard engine for the Malibu is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with continuously variable transmission, offering 160 horsepower. The sedan is also available with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Civic comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that kicks out 180 horsepower. Customers can also opt for the 2.0-liter 158 horsepower DOHC i-VTEC engine. This option is standard in the LX and Sports trims and offers increased fuel efficiency and quicker acceleration. With regards to power, the standard configuration Civic scores better than its rival with greater horsepower and speed.
Performance and Handling

Image via Honda.com
Although both vehicles offer an enjoyable driving experience, the Civic shines a bit brighter than its rival. While the Malibu and the Civic come standard with a continuously variable transmission, the Honda also offers a manual option for a sportier feel. The Civic also has fantastically responsive steering and a smaller turn radius than its opponent. The 2022 Civic’s other features include a sport-tuned front suspension, a multiple-link rear suspension, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and a three-mode driving system.
Honda is well known for the efficiency of its vehicles, and this is another area where the Civic shines. With the standard drivetrain, it offers an estimated fuel economy of 33 miles per gallon in the city and 42 mpg on the highway, compared to 29 mpg and 36 mpg for the standard Malibu. If we bump the vehicles up to their 2.0-liter engines, the Civic LX still scores higher with 31mpg and 40 mpg versus 22 mpg and 33 mpg.
Safety Features
Many of us use our cars to transport precious cargo, making safety an important concern. Both the Malibu and the Civic offer a range of safety features to give you peace of mind on the road. Starting with the Malibu, you’ll get forward collision alert, lane-change alert, blind-zone alert, front pedestrian braking, Intellibeam high beam assist, teen driver technology, parking assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking.
The Civic also offers a range of safety features, including a multi-angle rearview camera, automatic locking technology, and a blind spot information system. Besides these basic features, the Civic comes standard with the Honda Sensing Suite, a premium set of smart tools that increase safety on the road. This includes lane-departure alerts, automatic braking, steering assistance, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Although both sedans offer great features, the Civic comes out ahead again, which is why it consistently earns excellent safety ratings.
Price
When looking for a new vehicle, it’s important to find one that suits your needs at a price you can afford. Although both the Malibu and the Civic are very affordable, the Civic outstrips its opponent one more time in this final category. While the Malibu’s MSRP ranges from $23,400 to $33,500, the Civic’s starts at $21,700 and goes up to $28,300. Considering the Honda’s quality and performance, this makes the Civic an excellent deal. If you want to see the great prices we’re currently offering, head over to our inventory page and take a look at our collection of Civics.
That’s our comparison of the 2022 Honda Civic and the 2022 Chevy Malibu. We think the Civic is an all-around great vehicle that edges out its competition on many fronts. If the Civic sounds like the right car for you, we’d love to see you at Nucar Honda of Norwood. We can set up a test drive to show you what makes the Civic such a great choice.
If you’re interested in any of Honda’s other fantastic vehicles, contact our sales team at 877-658-4157. Our friendly staff can walk you through our inventory and financing options whenever it’s convenient for you. We also have a top-tier service department that’s standing by to help you with maintenance and genuine Honda parts. If you are looking for a pre-owned vehicle, look no further than Nucar Honda of Norwood thanks to our 7-Day/350-Mile worry-free money-back guarantee! If for any reason you decide the vehicle isn’t right for you, we will take it back.
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