2016 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Nissan Leaf
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 1.8L 4-cyl · CVT · 46 MPG
The 2016 Nissan Leaf is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $799 a year to fuel (114 MPGe), versus $1,011 for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (46 MPG). That's roughly $212 a year, or about $1,058 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- Nissan Leaf
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid | Nissan Leaf | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,011 | Your annual fuel cost | $799 |
| 46 MPG | Combined efficiency | 114 MPGe |
| 47 MPG | City | 126 MPGe |
| 46 MPG | Highway | 101 MPGe |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 29.6 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 84 mi |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 92 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 24 cu ft |
| 196 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 0 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 8 hrs |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Electric |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Electricity |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | Electric motor (80 kW) |
| CVT | Transmission | Single-speed |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Nissan Leaf across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- Nissan Leaf
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid has more passenger space (100 vs. 92 cu ft); the Nissan Leaf has more cargo space (24 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 67 2016 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid ranks 3rd and the Nissan Leaf 1st for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Nissan Leaf is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid or the 2016 Nissan Leaf?
Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Leaf. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is rated 46 MPG combined and the Nissan Leaf 114 MPGe (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs. the Nissan Leaf per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,011 for the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and $799 for the Nissan Leaf.
Which has more cargo space?
The Nissan Leaf, with 24 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Nissan Leaf in other years
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