Spec Sizes

Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Optima Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2008 catalog dimensions. Chevrolet Malibu · Kia Optima

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length191.8 in
  • Height57.1 in
  • Wheelbase112.3 in
  • Curb weight3,415 lb – 3,649 lb
Front / width
  • Width70.3 in
  • Kia Optima width71.1 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Kia Optima is 5.4 in shorter (191.8 in vs 186.4 in)
  • Width: Chevrolet Malibu is 0.8 in narrower (70.3 in vs 71.1 in)
  • Height: Kia Optima is 1.2 in taller (57.1 in vs 58.3 in)
  • Wheelbase: Chevrolet Malibu has a 5.2 in longer wheelbase (112.3 in vs 107.1 in)
  • Curb weight: Chevrolet Malibu is 318 lb heavier (3,532 lb vs 3,215 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: Chevrolet Malibu is 318 lb heavier (3,532 lb vs 3,215 lb)
  2. Wheelbase: Chevrolet Malibu has a 5.2 in longer wheelbase (112.3 in vs 107.1 in)
  3. Length: Kia Optima is 5.4 in shorter (191.8 in vs 186.4 in)
  4. Height: Kia Optima is 1.2 in taller (57.1 in vs 58.3 in)
  5. Width: Chevrolet Malibu is 0.8 in narrower (70.3 in vs 71.1 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageKia Optima — Kia Optima is shorter by 5.4 in Check garage fit for Chevrolet Malibu · garage fit for Kia Optima
  • Narrower for tight parkingChevrolet Malibu — Chevrolet Malibu is narrower by 0.8 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintKia Optima — Based on length × width (Kia Optima)

Dimension comparison

SpecChevrolet MalibuKia OptimaDifference
Length191.8 in186.4 in5.4 in
Width70.3 in71.1 in0.8 in
Height57.1 in58.3 in1.2 in
Wheelbase112.3 in107.1 in5.2 in
Curb weight3,532 lb3,215 lb318 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range.

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Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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