2023 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2023 Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Forte
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 · 1.5L 4-cyl turbo · CVT · 30 MPG
The 2023 Kia Forte is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,368 a year to fuel (34 MPG), versus $1,550 for the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu (30 MPG). That's roughly $182 a year, or about $912 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
- Kia Forte
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Forte | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,368 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 34 MPG |
| 27 MPG | City | 30 MPG |
| 35 MPG | Highway | 41 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 292 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 261 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 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 vs Kia Forte across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Kia Forte
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. 96 cu ft); the Kia Forte has more cargo space (15 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 50 2023 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu ranks 23rd and the Kia Forte 16th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2023 Kia Forte?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Forte. The Chevrolet Malibu is rated 30 MPG combined and the Kia Forte 34 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu vs. the Kia Forte per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Chevrolet Malibu and $1,368 for the Kia Forte.
Which has more cargo space?
The Kia Forte, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Forte in other years
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