Do you love the thrill of an invigorating drive? If so, then you need a turbocharged sedan like the Nissan Altima or the Chevy Malibu. So which model is the better choice for your drives around Marion, Herrin, or Carbondale, IL?
To answer that question, the team at Watermark Nissan of Marion has set out to compare the Nissan Altima and the Chevy Malibu. Keep reading to learn about the features these vehicles offer.
MAX TOUCHSCREEN SIZE
STANDARD HORSEPOWER
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
Your next sedan will be there for you at every turn of events, spontaneous road trip, or impromptu shopping spree. The ready-to-go attitude of the Altima and the Malibu will take you where you need to go, but which one will put more pep and confidence in your step?
What’s under the hoods of the Malibu and the Altima? With the Malibu, you’ll find a 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder engine and a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). Together, they churn out 163 horsepower, a decent output that helps you accelerate on the highway. Still, that’s your only choice of power source, as the Malibu offers no other optional powertrains.
Would you like a boost in power? Choose the Altima to feel the unbridled strength of 188 horsepower from its standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. This engine channels the power through an Xtronic CVT®, which balances power and efficiency for an all-around thrilling driving experience. If you want even more oomph, the Altima also offers an available 2.0L VC-Turbo® engine that generates 248 horsepower.
When summer thunderstorms roll in or those off-road trails beckon, confidently take on the road ahead with available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. Available with the Altima, this advanced drivetrain monitors the current road conditions and distributes the power among four wheels. By doing so, it senses which tires need more traction and directs the torque to the appropriate one.
As for the Malibu, it doesn’t have an available all-wheel drive system. Instead, it comes with a standard front-wheel drive system, which is not as adaptable as Altima’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.
Driving the Altima or the Malibu means you have the coolest car in the cul-de-sac. Passersby will stop and stare when they see the impressive infotainment setup inside either sedan. Which model will turn more heads, though?
You’ll find many similarities available in the cockpits of the Altima and the Malibu, including these helpful tech features:
- Bluetooth®
- Wireless smartphone integration
- Voice Recognition
- Available 9-speaker Bose® Premium Audio System
Unique to the Nissan Altima is standard Siri® Eyes Free. This integration feature will be compatible with Apple users, and it welcomes Siri's artificial intelligence to your voyage.
The Nissan Altima is available with three infotainment display sizes to suit all viewing needs:
- 7-inch touchscreen display
- Available 8-inch NissanConnect® color display
- Available 12.3-inch NissanConnect® color display
The Chevy Malibu, on the other hand, only has one 8-inch display available. While that’s generous, the Altima’s available 12.3-inch screen will transform how you see your infotainment and vital vehicle information.
If you’re looking for a reliable and supportive sedan, Nissan and Chevy are great places to start. Both automakers prioritize your well-being by introducing standard safety suites to their lineups. Which model goes above and beyond for you?
Nissan Safety Shield® 360 and Chevy Safety Assist are the standard driver-assistance suites on the Altima and the Malibu. They provide course correction, timely warnings, light assistance, and pedestrian detection. They have the following standard safety features in common:
- Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
- Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
- High Beam Assist
- Lane Departure Warning
If you need eyes in the back of your head while driving, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert on either sedan will deliver. However, these systems are standard on the Altima and available with an upgrade on the Malibu.
The Nissan Altima takes your safety to new levels with these unique features:
- Intelligent Driver Alertness – Monitors your driving patterns for drowsy or distracted behavior. If any are detected, the system will suggest you may want to take a break.
- Available Traffic Sign Recognition – Keeps track of posted road signage, so you’re never taken off guard.
Unfortunately, these features are unavailable on the Chevy Malibu.
While the Nissan Altima and the Chevy Malibu are both great sedans, the Nissan Altima pulls ahead due to its thrilling performance, advanced technology, and cutting-edge safety systems. As such, our team is confident it’s a great choice for drivers near Marion, Herrin, and Carbondale, IL.
If you want to learn more about the capabilities of the Nissan Altima, contact us and schedule a test drive with Watermark Nissan of Marion today!
All of the tools you need to move forward with experiencing a new Altima for yourself are conveniently available right here online.
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