2018 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs Subaru Legacy
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2018 Chevrolet Malibu (30 MPG) costs about $1,550 a year to fuel and the 2018 Subaru Legacy (29 MPG) about $1,603.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Subaru Legacy
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu | Subaru Legacy | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,550 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,603 |
| 30 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 27 MPG | City | 25 MPG |
| 36 MPG | Highway | 34 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 292 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 311 g/mi |
| 7/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 7/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| FWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Malibu vs Subaru Legacy across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Subaru Legacy
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Subaru Legacy has more passenger space (105 vs. 100 cu ft); the Subaru Legacy has more cargo space (15 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 74 2018 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu ranks 27th and the Subaru Legacy 32nd for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2018 Subaru Legacy?
Measured by cost to drive, the Chevrolet Malibu. The Chevrolet Malibu is rated 30 MPG combined and the Subaru Legacy 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vs. the Subaru Legacy per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,550 for the Chevrolet Malibu and $1,603 for the Subaru Legacy.
Which has more cargo space?
The Subaru Legacy, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu vs Subaru Legacy in other years
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