Starting at
Starting at
| 248 | Horsepower | 163 |
| 273 lb-ft | Torque | 184 lb-ft |
| 12.3 in | Screen Size | 8 in |
Are you shopping for a stylish and comfortable midsize sedan? Your research will likely lead you to these iconic sedans: the Nissan Altima and the Chevy Malibu. These are common options that have been beloved by drivers for years. Their sophisticated styling makes them great options for drivers who want a stylish vehicle to make a great first impression. Meanwhile, their array of comfort features makes each of these models a popular choice for commuters nationwide.
So the question is, which one should you choose? We know that a car is a major investment, and we want you to get everything you want out of your vehicle. In the 2024 Nissan Altima vs 2024 Chevy Malibu showdown, which model will come out on top as the best option for a midsize sedan? Keep reading to find out. Let's dive into the highlights and differences of these two models to assist you in your purchasing journey.
While it is true that drivers don't often expect tremendous power out of a sedan, they can have it if they choose the Nissan Altima. The Nissan Altima enjoys a powerful 2.0 L turbocharged I-4 engine, kicking out 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, Altima drivers have the option of a 2.5L I-4 engine, which still provides better horsepower than the only available engine option on the Chevy Malibu. Choosing the 2024 Chevy Malibu will limit drivers to a 1.5 L turbocharged I-4 engine offering 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. As you can see, the Malibu leaves you wanting more when it comes to power.
The Nissan Altima also gives you more front- or all-wheel drive choices. You can order your Altima with either AWD or FWD, allowing you to opt for the incredible fuel economy offered by front-wheel drive or all-wheel traction from all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, the 2024 Malibu is only available in front-wheel drive. So, if you are looking for a vehicle that allows you to choose what you want instead of limiting your options, the 2024 Nissan Altima is the sedan for you.
The 2024 Altima offers up to 27 MPG in the city and an impressive 39 MPG on the highway for a total combined fuel efficiency rating of 32 MPG. The Chevy Malibu can get up to 28 MPG in the city but only offers 36 MPG on the highway. This difference may seem slight, but overall, the 2024 Nissan Altima will give you better fuel efficiency, saving you money at the pump. That saving adds up. This shows that the 2024 Chevy Malibu just won't get you as far as the 2024 Nissan Altima.
These two vehicles go head to head as far as standard driver assist features go. Both models offer Automatic Emergency Braking with some form of pedestrian warning and a Lane Departure Warning in their standard safety assist feature packages.
The 2024 Chevy Malibu comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist. In addition to the shared features above, this suite includes Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert, IntelliBeam headlamps, and a Following Distance Indicator. These features do a good job of helping drivers avoid collisions and stay safe on the road, but there are some things missing from this suite's capabilities.
The 2024 Nissan Altima comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which offers more. In addition to Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning, which both work to avoid and mitigate damage from collisions, Nissan's safety suite includes Pedestrian Detection and High Beam Assist, much like Chevy's. However, the Nissan Safety Shield 360 also includes standard Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Automatic Braking. These features aren't included in Chevy Safety Assist, and although similar amenities are available, they come at an extra cost. These extra features go a long way in protecting your back when backing onto busy streets or into crowded parking lots. This shows that the 2024 Nissan Altima does more to have your back on the road.
Comfort features are important for all drivers. Since so much of your time is spent behind the wheel, your vehicle should be comfortable. It should keep you energized for short trips, long stretches on the road, and everything in between.
While both vehicles have available power-adjustable driver seats with lumbar support, the 2024 Nissan Altima offers Nissan's Zero Gravity Seats. These seats are designed to reduce pressure on specific points of the body, promote comfort, provide support, and combat muscle fatigue, helping you feel energized when you arrive at your destination. The Malibu and the Altima can each be equipped with heated front seats and even a heated steering wheel on the upper trims. With these features, you should be able to set your seat to the ideal angle, height, and distance from the pedals for optimal driving position, and you should enjoy full body warmth on cold days. But it's clear that the 2024 Nissan Altima again goes the extra mile to have your back on the drive ahead.
Each of these models has an available remote start. What this means is that using either your key fob or smartphone, depending on the model, you can start the vehicle ignition before you get in it. That means you can turn on climate control before your drive. This is a nice feature on sweltering days when your vehicle's cabin needs some time to cool down or on frigid days when it needs time to warm up. You can slide into a perfectly temperate cabin every time. The comfort features of these models are what commuters are looking for.
Lastly, let's look at technology. Drivers depend on great tech to keep them informed and entertained on the road. Great technology can even help you tackle your to-do list.
The Nissan Altima stands out again due to its Hello Nissan system. This system allows you to use voice commands to control elements of your vehicle. For example, you can adjust the audio volume, adjust the cabin temperature, and even set destinations in the connected navigation using only your voice. The Chevy Malibu offers voice command functionality for just the touchscreen once connected to a smartphone. However, it has no built-in system like Hello Nissan that lets you control the vehicle's functions with your voice.
We also would like to elaborate on each model's navigation features. Each offers connected navigation, allowing you to get turn-by-turn directions without the use of a smartphone. However, Nissan has taken it a step further with its available Door-to-Door navigation. When you have the MyNissan mobile app, the directions from your vehicle's navigation can be transferred to your smartphone once you park and will continue to guide you on foot all the way to your destination. The Malibu does not offer any such system.
If you enjoy listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks on your drive, both models have an available nine-speaker Bose audio system. Audio system authorities claim that Bose is the best creator of vehicle speaker systems. And, with nearly two speakers per passenger, this speaker system delivers crisp surround sound to everyone in your car.
As for the touchscreens, the Malibu has just one option, which is an 8-inch touchscreen. However, the Nissan Altima comes with a standard 7-inch touchscreen or can be equipped with an available 12.3-inch touchscreen. So, if you want a more accessible screen with larger graphics for your turn-by-turn directions, media, and more, you will want to go with the Nissan Altima. Both models offer smartphone compatibility, allowing you to connect your Apple or Android phone to the touch screen and control your apps from there instead of your phone screen.
Illini Nissan is your destination for all new and used Nissan models, including the Altima. We have a terrific sales team of experts on the sophisticated midsize sedan. Visit us, and tell one of our team members what you are looking for in your vehicle. Whether it's the ultimate comfort, thrilling performance, or incredible fuel economy, they will know just which Nissan model to point you to. We're constantly rolling in the models we know our drivers are excited about, so you can always find an excellent model on our lot.
We are proud to offer pre-owned Nissan vehicles to our drivers looking for an incredible price from this reliable manufacturer. Visit our website to see which used models we have in store now. We are always adding new inventory, and we make it easy to find models with the exact features you are looking for. Shop our used models online and filter for the features you want, like transmission, trim, mileage, and even price.
Let us help you with financing. Our finance experts will learn about your monthly payment needs and financial goals and tailor a package to fit your requirements. It is our goal to put you in a Nissan you love on a payment plan that is comfortable for you. You can apply for financing online to learn about your purchasing power before you come in. And if you have an old vehicle you need to sell, you can trade it in with us, and we'll take it off your hands. Skip the process of advertising, negotiating with potential buyers, and hosting test drives that go nowhere. We will do all that for you and handle the troublesome paperwork. So you can get on with shopping for your next vehicle.
We also have a terrific service department. Our factory technicians will keep your Nissan running smoothly for years to come. Plus, we have batteries, parts, and tires, so we have everything in place to keep your model in optimal condition. Visit Illini Nissan today and work with the team that will prioritize your needs and treat you with the care you deserve.
*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.
