Kia Optima vs Chevrolet Malibu Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2015 catalog dimensions. Kia Optima · Chevrolet Malibu

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

Side view
  • Length190.7 in
  • Height57.1 in
  • Wheelbase110.0 in
  • Ground clearance5.1 in
  • Curb weight3,237 lb – 3,468 lb
Front / width
  • Width72.1 in
  • Chevrolet Malibu width73.0 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: Kia Optima is 0.8 in shorter (190.7 in vs 191.5 in)
  • Width: Kia Optima is 0.9 in narrower (72.1 in vs 73.0 in)
  • Height: Chevrolet Malibu is 0.5 in taller (57.1 in vs 57.6 in)
  • Wheelbase: Kia Optima has a 2.2 in longer wheelbase (110.0 in vs 107.8 in)
  • Ground clearance: Chevrolet Malibu has 0.9 in more ground clearance (5.1 in vs 6.0 in)

Biggest size differences

  1. Ground clearance: Chevrolet Malibu has 0.9 in more ground clearance (5.1 in vs 6.0 in)
  2. Wheelbase: Kia Optima has a 2.2 in longer wheelbase (110.0 in vs 107.8 in)
  3. Width: Kia Optima is 0.9 in narrower (72.1 in vs 73.0 in)
  4. Height: Chevrolet Malibu is 0.5 in taller (57.1 in vs 57.6 in)
  5. Length: Kia Optima is 0.8 in shorter (190.7 in vs 191.5 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageKia OptimaKia Optima is shorter by 0.8 in Check garage fit for Kia Optima · garage fit for Chevrolet Malibu
  • Narrower for tight parkingKia OptimaKia Optima is narrower by 0.9 in
  • More ground clearanceChevrolet MalibuChevrolet Malibu has 0.9 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintKia OptimaBased on length × width (Kia Optima)

Dimension comparison

SpecKia OptimaChevrolet MalibuDifference
Length190.7 in191.5 in0.8 in
Width72.1 in73.0 in0.9 in
Height57.1 in57.6 in0.5 in
Wheelbase110.0 in107.8 in2.2 in
Ground clearance5.1 in6.0 in0.9 in
Curb weight3,353 lb

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

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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