07.20.16 - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

A Direct Comparison of Two Detroit Diamonds

When you think of the description listed in the title you might think about the Corvette, Mustang or Viper as the cars that will be compared. Even though most of us don’t necessarily think of midsized sedans as diamonds these cars really are as they are the cars that are used most for the purpose of commuting to and from work on a daily basis. Because of the daily grind of these cars and the fact that we spend more time in them than in any other vehicle we own they need to be valued and enjoyed like a diamond.

With the thought in mind that these two cars are a pair of sedans that need to be valued you need to also realize these two are a tough as diamonds as well. The two cars we’re looking at today are the Ford Fusion and the Chevrolet Malibu. When you hear these names you should be thinking of affordability and of excellent cars for just about every driving need you will encounter on the road. Both of these models offer you what you need to be able to handle your daily driving, but also are great for taking the family out for the night or for a weekend excursion.

The Malibu has undergone a massive redesign and in doing so lost some weight to drop nearly 300 pounds off the previous model. This car is riding on a new platform that is stiffer, safer and more efficient than it’s ever been. Of course the style of the Malibu is still of the most visually appealing you can find in the midsized sedan class to give you a car that offers the looks and the equipment you want in order to get the job done for you, no matter what that might be for you.

The top engine you can purchase for the Malibu is the 2.0-liter Ecotec engine which gives you 250 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The beauty of this engine is that all the torque is available at only 1,700 rpm, making it a power monster from the start (at least as much as a midsized sedan can be). This engine is mated to a n eight-speed automatic transmission to give you a great ride. At this engine level you will have the enjoyment of 22 city/33 hwy mpg, which is excellent for a car with this power number.

The Fusion on the other hand is still and extremely handsome car and the style hasn’t changed since this new generation came in for the 2013 model year. Most classify the Fusion as the most attractive car in this class of vehicle. Unfortunately there is no weight loss as this car is still only midway through its generational cycle, but the Fusion has been a car that many have loved and chosen for their daily needs in order to have the right car for the job. All you have to do is get in and drive and you will understand the attraction to this car.

Under the hood of the Fusion is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that offers you 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. While the only transmission offered for the Fusion is a six-speed automatic which means the Malibu has two more gears, the Fusion is offered with AWD, which you can’t purchase on the Malibu. If you choose the Fusion in the FWD model you will enjoy the 22 city/33 hwy mpg to have the exact same fuel mileage numbers for this car as you do for the Malibu.

Which car is the right one for you? If you want a car that has been on the market a few years and offers you a great engine and the option of AWD the Fusion is the car you should look to choose. On the other hand, if you are a fan of the weight reductions many of these cars are enjoying and know you want to have the additional two gears for the shifting, the Malibu makes the most sense. Either way you’re going to have a fantastic midsized sedan for the driving of your Detroit Diamond.

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.

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