For years, shoppers who wanted to buy a midsized family sedan from a domestic manufacturer were forced to choose among undesirable models relative to the competition. Whether it was a Chrysler, Ford, or General Motors product, the car usually paled in comparison to the class leaders: the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Those days are mostly over.
Ford took a big step in 2006 when it introduced the Fusion, and the 2013 redesign resulted in a truly world-class sedan. Chevrolet's fortunes improved in 2008, when the automaker became more serious about the Malibu, and the redesigned 2016 Malibu is even more comparable with the best sedans in the category. Chrysler, however, has yet to build a truly competitive offering, with the 200 sitting at the bottom of our ratings.
Both Ford and Chevrolet have built stylish, dynamic-looking sedans that are comfortable and quiet, ride very well, and have room for five adults and good luggage space. Like some of their competitors, each manufacturer offers conventional and hybrid versions of their sedans.
First off: For those who need all-wheel drive, the Fusion is your ride if you opt for the uplevel, more powerful 2.0-liter turbo or the Sport. The Malibu doesn't offer AWD.
Base pricing is similar, with the Fusion S starting at $23,000 and the Malibu L starting at $22,500. The Fusion tops out at $39,500 for the Platinum all-wheel-drive trim; the top-trim Malibu, the Premier, starts at almost $32,000.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the two cars have identical width, height, and wheelbase measurements, with the Malibu being 2 inches longer in overall length. But the Fusion is less roomy inside, with a slimmer cockpit and less generous rear-seat room.
The most common engine for each model is a 1.5-liter turbo four that provides easy-going, readily available power. The Malibu is the quicker one of the two. Both come with uplevel 2.0-liter turbo engines that are more powerful and quieter.
Fuel misers should look into the Fusion Hybrid, which is tied with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid for the best overall mileage in this class. (Stay tuned for the Malibu Hybrid's mpg once we finish testing it.) As far as the conventional powertrains go, the Malibu is more frugal. When it comes to your wallet, you'll use about 75 fewer gallons per year in the Malibu compared with the Fusion to cover 12,000 miles. That's easily a savings of around $200. Only the Honda Accord and Mazda6 are more frugal than the Malibu.
Where the Ford shines is on the road. It handles with the agility of a really good European sports sedan, making it fun to drive. The ride is taut yet absorbent and the cabin is quiet, giving it a premium feel.
The Malibu has a different demeanor. Its suspension is more relaxed, letting it swallow bumps with aplomb. The cabin is also quiet, making it a good highway cruiser. Handling is still responsive and secure, but for those who appreciate an engaging driving experience, it's no match for the Fusion.
When it comes to infotainment systems, Ford's new Sync 3 system is easy to use and quick to respond. In the Chevy, GM's MyLink system is one of the best in the industry; it's well-designed and straightforward to use.
Front-seat comfort is middling if you get the cloth seats. We highly recommend opting for the more supportive leather seats.
Both Chevrolet and Ford make forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking optional for the 2017 model year. But if you are looking for a leftover 2016, only the Malibu offers those key active safety systems. A rearview camera is standard across the Fusion line; Chevrolet makes it standard on all Malibus except the base L trim.
Ultimately, these two cars are a very close match when comparing their road-test scores, reliability, and even owner satisfaction. The real tiebreaker here will be your test drive. Chances are, one will stand out with the comfort and driving manners best suited to your tastes.
Keep in mind that there are also other highly competitive sedans in this category that you shouldn't rule out, including the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry.
To dig deeper into this comparison, read the complete Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion road tests.
