Chevrolet Malibu vs Nissan Altima: Which Used Buy Wins?
As used buys (October 2026), the Chevrolet Malibu typically lists for $18,887 against $20,554 for the Nissan Altima (same model years — 2023–2025 — national medians from live listings). the Nissan Altima leads on NCAP safety (4.9★ vs 4.6★ average). Overall medians mix very different trims — at the cheapest common trims it's the LS (1FL) at $16,900 vs the S at $18,709; see the trim-by-trim tables for a fair match. Every figure below is live market data, not book values.
Head to head
Trim-by-trim prices (last 4 model years)
A fair comparison matches equivalent trims, not overall medians. Like for like: at the cheapest common trims, the Chevrolet Malibu LS (1FL) ($16,900) faces the Nissan Altima S ($18,709); the most common trims on the market are the LT (1LT) (79.8% of Chevrolet Malibu listings) and the SV (68.2% of Nissan Altima listings); at the top of the market, the RS (1SP) ($20,091) faces the SL ($24,185). Share = portion of the model's trim-labeled used listings (a supply-side popularity signal: what the market actually stocks and sells most). “Cheapest”/“Priciest” mark the ends of the quotable trim range — trim ladders don't map one-to-one across brands, so this is not a factory base-model claim.
| Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trim | Typical price | Share | Trim | Typical price | Share |
| LS (1FL)Cheapest | $16,900 | 6.0% | SCheapest | $18,709 | 5.8% |
| LS (1LS) | $18,495 | 2.6% | SVMost popular | $20,000 | 68.2% |
| LT (1LT)Most popular | $18,798 | 79.8% | SR | $22,098 | 21.3% |
| PREMIER (2LT) | $19,835 | 7.5% | SLPriciest | $24,185 | 4.7% |
| RS (1SP)Priciest | $20,091 | 3.7% | — | ||
| PREMIER (2LZ) | $20,225 | 0.4% | — | ||
Rows are aligned by price position (both sides sorted cheapest-first), not by equivalent equipment — trim names never map one-to-one across brands. Full per-trim detail (price ranges, mileage) is on each model's price page: Chevrolet Malibu prices · Nissan Altima prices.
Used price by model year
| Year | Chevrolet Malibu typical | Nissan Altima typical | Difference | Chevrolet Malibu MPG | Nissan Altima MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $19,995 | $20,832 | Nissan Altima +$837 | 31 MPG | 28–31 MPG |
| 2024 | $18,887 | $19,577 | Nissan Altima +$690 | 31 MPG | 29–31 MPG |
| 2023 | $16,900 | $20,554 | Nissan Altima +$3,654 | 30 MPG | 29–31 MPG |
| 2022 | $15,995 | $17,584 | Nissan Altima +$1,589 | 26–32 MPG | 29–32 MPG |
| 2021 | $14,499 | $15,999 | Nissan Altima +$1,500 | 26–32 MPG | 29–32 MPG |
| 2020 | $13,685 | $14,366 | Nissan Altima +$681 | 26–32 MPG | 29–32 MPG |
| 2019 | $12,995 | $13,950 | Nissan Altima +$955 | 26–46 MPG | 29–32 MPG |
| 2018 | $11,832 | $10,968 | Chevrolet Malibu +$864 | 26–46 MPG | 26–31 MPG |
| 2017 | $10,888 | $9,637 | Chevrolet Malibu +$1,251 | 26–46 MPG | 26–31 MPG |
| 2016 | $9,995 | $8,995 | Chevrolet Malibu +$1,000 | 26–46 MPG | 26–31 MPG |
| 2015 | $8,493 | $7,995 | Chevrolet Malibu +$498 | 24–29 MPG | 26–31 MPG |
| 2014 | $7,995 | $7,499 | Chevrolet Malibu +$496 | 24–29 MPG | 25–31 MPG |
| 2013 | $6,990 | $6,963 | Chevrolet Malibu +$27 | 24–29 MPG | 25–31 MPG |
| 2012 | $5,995 | $5,995 | even | 20–26 MPG | 21–26 MPG |
| 2011 | $5,795 | $5,700 | Chevrolet Malibu +$95 | 20–26 MPG | 21–33 MPG |
| 2010 | $5,499 | $5,499 | even | 20–29 MPG | 21–34 MPG |
| 2009 | $5,792 | $5,399 | Chevrolet Malibu +$393 | 20–29 MPG | 21–34 MPG |
| 2008 | $4,500 | $4,752 | Nissan Altima +$252 | 20–27 MPG | 22–34 MPG |
| 2007 | $5,395 | $4,881 | Chevrolet Malibu +$514 | 19–25 MPG | 22–34 MPG |
| 2006 | $4,800 | $4,995 | Nissan Altima +$195 | 19–24 MPG | 21–24 MPG |
| 2005 | $4,988 | $4,405 | Chevrolet Malibu +$583 | 23–25 MPG | 21–24 MPG |
Typical price = national median asking price of live listings for that model year (October 2026); MPG = EPA combined range across rated versions.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to buy used — Chevrolet Malibu or Nissan Altima?
Comparing the same model years (2023–2025), the Chevrolet Malibu is cheaper: it typically lists for $18,887 versus $20,554 for the Nissan Altima (national medians, October 2026).
Which is safer — Chevrolet Malibu or Nissan Altima?
By NCAP overall crash-test rating the Nissan Altima averages 4.9 of 5 stars across rated years versus 4.6 for the Chevrolet Malibu. Always check the specific model year's rating in the table above.
Which is more reliable — Chevrolet Malibu or Nissan Altima?
NHTSA lists an average of 4.3 recalls per model year for the Chevrolet Malibu and 4.0 for the Nissan Altima — an edge for the Nissan Altima. Recall and complaint counts scale with sales volume, so treat them as context and check any specific car's VIN history.
Which trims should I actually compare?
Like for like: at the cheapest common trims, a Chevrolet Malibu LS (1FL) typically lists for $16,900 vs $18,709 for a Nissan Altima S; the most common trims on the market are the LT (1LT) ($18,798, 79.8% of Chevrolet Malibu listings) and the SV ($20,000, 68.2% of Nissan Altima listings); at the top of the market, the RS (1SP) ($20,091) faces the SL ($24,185). Overall medians hide this trim mix — use the trim tables above for a fair match. Trim names never map one-to-one across brands, so "cheapest" means the least expensive trim with a real market share, not the factory base.
https://vehisales.com/research/compare/chevrolet/malibu/vs/nissan/altima.
Dig deeper
Chevrolet Malibu — live listings & specs Nissan Altima — live listings & specs Chevrolet Malibu prices by year Nissan Altima prices by year Chevrolet Malibu MPG by year Nissan Altima MPG by year
See also: All model comparisons · Best used cars by budget · Used car prices by model.