Chevy Malibu vs. Honda Accord - Comparison

2009 Chevy Malibu

The Malibu is a five seat mid size sedan that is available in LS, LT and top-of-the-line LTZ trim.  It was redesigned for 2008 and gets a few upgrades for 2009. Competitors to this midsize sedan include the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.  The Malibu gets a standard electronic stability system and standard side curtain and side-impact airbags.  With the 2008 redesign, Chevrolet says it has modified the platform with some extra strength and extra steel in the central tunnel area and the bodysides to help quiet the car and improve its crash performance. More quiet was added with composite inner fenders, thicker glass, and sprayed-on sound insulation throughout the body cavities.

Malibu Drive

The Malibu's base four-cylinder teams with a four-speed automatic transmission in LS and LT trim levels but drives a six-speed automatic in the LTZ. The six-speed transmission is optional with the LT trim. Engine options include a four-cylinder or V-6, both of which use variable valve timing to optimize performance and fuel efficiency.  Buyers get a significant horsepower gain by stepping up to the optional V-6, which drives a six-speed automatic.  Steering is reasonably quick and precise, but without much real road feel, although better than previous models of this same car.  Braking action and performance is on par with anything else in the class of vehicles.  

Inside the Malibu

The 2009 Malibu has a comfortable cabin and a practical layout.  A variety of two-tone interior themes are available as a means of accenting the dash, center stack, door trim and seats. Remote starting is available. This lets the driver start the car by pressing a button on the key fob from the comfort of the house on. The 2009 Chevy Malibu cabin is beautifully done, with tight fits, no gaps, and everything within easy reach and easy to operate. The instruments have blue backlighting, and a 110-volt power outlet is available. Base models have an optional upgrade to a premium 210-watt, eight-speaker system.

2009 Design

The new body design is bold, long and sleek, with an especially appealing roofline that looks like it belongs on a luxury car. The bodysides are completely clean and uncluttered, and the twin round taillamps pay homage to the Corvette. At 191.8 inches in length, the Malibu is longer than the Altima and Camry but 2.3 inches shorter than the Accord. At 70.3 inches wide and 57.1 inches tall, the Malibu is the narrowest as well as shortest in height of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. A glass sunroof with four movable panes that span the front and rear seats is optional.

Safety

GM's StabiliTrak electronic stability system with brake assist is standard on all Malibu models. OnStar 8.0 is now standard.  The safety package also includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring.




2009 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord sedan received an extensive redesign last year that included all-new styling inside and out, a spacious rear seat for the sedan, more standard safety features and more-powerful engines, including an optional V-6 with advanced fuel-saving technology. Following its redesign last year, the Accord enters the 2009 model year essentially unchanged.  Competitors include the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.

Accord Drive

The front-wheel-drive Accord can have either of two 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines or a 3.5-liter V-6. The five-speed manual has low clutch effort with smooth engagement, and the shifter offers good, crisp action. But the manual allows you to get the most out of the engine, which cleanly revs happily right past the marked redline.  The softest-riding Accord is the LX by virtue of 16-inch tires. The 2009 Honda Accord is an easy drive with good manners regardless of model, engine or transmission.

Inside the Honda Accord

The Accord's cabin treads closer to the domain of Honda's luxury brand, Acura, with its use of high-quality materials, good fit and finish, and the adoption of an optional knob-based navigation system in place of the car's previous touch-screen setup.  Three interior colors are offered on the sedans, black, gray, and ivory, while the coupe goes black or ivory only. Although it may show dirt more, the ivory includes wood-look accents where the other colors make do with silver trim pieces, so the ivory interior comes across as more elegant.

Accord Design

The Accord is offered in sedan and coupe forms, the two Accord styles are now more distinct than ever; they share no body panels or glass. The coupe has a chiseled look highlighted in front by a narrow mesh grille and bulging front fenders. The sedan is as assertive as the coupe when viewed head-on, but it loses some presence as you move around to the sides and rear.  This latest-generation Honda Accord stays true to its roots with contemporary yet conservative design highlighted by a strong character line that slopes down and forward like that of the Acura TL. Honda hallmarks like narrow windshield pillars and a low cowl for good forward visibility remain, and the rear door pillars share the kink popularized decades ago by BMW.

Safety

Safety is enhanced on all 2009 Accords with six standard airbags, including side-impact air bags for front seats and side curtain air bags. Four-wheel disc, anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, Brake Assist and active front head restraints also come standard.




Summary


The Malibu and the Accord both got total redesigns for 2008.  The 2009 models carry minor updates.  The Chevrolet Malibu nameplate has been around for a long, long time. Once a big car, the Malibu has in recent years been Chevrolet's bread-and-butter sedan, fitting in the lineup just below the larger Impala, which is itself a downsized version of the old full-size Impala. The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu has all the size, room, features and conveniences a middle-of-the-market sedan needs to be competitive, and the fits and finishes inside and out are world-class. The Chevrolet Malibu emphasizes civilized road manners, quality construction and practicality, with clean, contemporary styling.  For more Malibu details and pricing, read here. The 2009 Honda Accord impresses with what you don't see, don't feel, and don't hear.  In short, the new Honda Accord is a great midsize sedan. It's also available as a stylish, trouble-free coupe.  The Accord combines high technology and high quality with everyday economy of operation and keen attention to detail. For another look, read Edmunds.com Accord Review.  The Malibu has a starting MSRP of $21,605 - $26,880, while the Accord's range is $20,905 - $28,955.  The two sedans get the same city gas mileage at 17-22 mpg and the Malibu as a slight advantage on the highway: 33 mpg compared to the Accord's 31 mpg.