2018 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Kicks
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2018 Nissan Kicks is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,409 a year to fuel (33 MPG), versus $1,550 for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu (30 MPG). That's roughly $141 a year, or about $705 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
- Nissan Kicks
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Kicks | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,409 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 33 MPG |
| 27 MPG | City | 31 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 36 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 25 cu ft |
| 292 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 272 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 8/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 1.6L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | 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 vs Nissan Kicks across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Nissan Kicks
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 has more passenger space (100 vs. 94 cu ft); the Nissan Kicks has more cargo space (25 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 74 2018 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu ranks 27th and the Nissan Kicks 23rd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2018 Nissan Kicks?
Measured by cost to drive, the Nissan Kicks. The Chevrolet Malibu is rated 30 MPG combined and the Nissan Kicks 33 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs. the Nissan Kicks per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Chevrolet Malibu and $1,409 for the Nissan Kicks.
Which has more cargo space?
The Nissan Kicks, with 25 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Kicks in other years
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