Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Optima Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2017 catalog dimensions. Chevrolet Malibu · Kia Optima

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

Side view
  • Length193.8 in
  • Height57.6 in
  • Wheelbase111.4 in
  • Ground clearance6.5 in
  • Curb weight3,086 lb – 3,388 lb
Front / width
  • Width73.0 in
  • Kia Optima width73.2 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Kia Optima is 2.7 in shorter (193.8 in vs 191.1 in)
  • Width: Chevrolet Malibu is 0.2 in narrower (73.0 in vs 73.2 in)
  • Height: Kia Optima is 0.1 in taller (57.6 in vs 57.7 in)
  • Wheelbase: Chevrolet Malibu has a 1.0 in longer wheelbase (111.4 in vs 110.4 in)
  • Ground clearance: Chevrolet Malibu has 1.2 in more ground clearance (6.5 in vs 5.3 in)
  • Curb weight: Kia Optima is 170 lb heavier (3,237 lb vs 3,407 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Ground clearance: Chevrolet Malibu has 1.2 in more ground clearance (6.5 in vs 5.3 in)
  2. Curb weight: Kia Optima is 170 lb heavier (3,237 lb vs 3,407 lb)
  3. Length: Kia Optima is 2.7 in shorter (193.8 in vs 191.1 in)
  4. Wheelbase: Chevrolet Malibu has a 1.0 in longer wheelbase (111.4 in vs 110.4 in)
  5. Width: Chevrolet Malibu is 0.2 in narrower (73.0 in vs 73.2 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageKia OptimaKia Optima is shorter by 2.7 in Check garage fit for Chevrolet Malibu · garage fit for Kia Optima
  • Narrower for tight parkingChevrolet MalibuChevrolet Malibu is narrower by 0.2 in
  • More ground clearanceChevrolet MalibuChevrolet Malibu has 1.2 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintKia OptimaBased on length × width (Kia Optima)

Dimension comparison

SpecChevrolet MalibuKia OptimaDifference
Length193.8 in191.1 in2.7 in
Width73.0 in73.2 in0.2 in
Height57.6 in57.7 in0.1 in
Wheelbase111.4 in110.4 in1.0 in
Ground clearance6.5 in5.3 in1.2 in
Curb weight3,237 lb3,407 lb170 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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