2018 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
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
FWD · 1.5L 4-cyl · CVT · 110 MPGe + 42 MPG
The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid 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 $910 a year to fuel (110 MPGe + 42 MPG), versus $1,011 for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (46 MPG). That's roughly $101 a year, or about $506 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
- Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid | Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,011 | Your annual fuel cost | $910 |
| 46 MPG | Combined efficiency | 110 MPGe + 42 MPG |
| 49 MPG | City | 117 MPGe / 44 MPG |
| 43 MPG | Highway | 102 MPGe / 40 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 31 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 340 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 48 mi |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 102 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 194 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 57 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2.2 hrs |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.5L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | CVT |
| 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 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
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 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (15 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 74 2018 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid ranks 11th and the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid 9th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid or the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is rated 46 MPG combined and the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid 110 MPGe + 42 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs. the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid 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 $910 for the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid in other years
More 2018 comparisons
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs…
Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid vs…
Or compare the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid with anything else: