Chevrolet Impala vs. Chevrolet Malibu Feature Comparison

Features Comparison: Chevrolet Impala vs. Chevrolet Malibu

Show all  Hide all

Model Year	2012	2012	2012	2012--2016-2014	2012--2016-2014	2012--2016-2014	2012--2016-2014
Model	Impala	Impala	Impala	Malibu	Malibu	Malibu	Malibu
Trim	LS	LT	LTZ	LS	LT	2LT	LTZ
Engines (hide)
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@6500 262 lb-ft@5300
2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 196 hp@6300 186 lb-ft@4400
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000
Transmissions (hide)
6-speed automatic
6-speed manually-shiftable automatic
Drivetrains (hide)
FWD
Tires (hide)
225/60R16 tires
225/55R17 tires
235/50WR18 tires
215/55R17 tires
225/50R18 tires
Audio Systems (hide)
Unbranded, 6 speakers
Bose, 8 speakers
Bose, 8 speakers (with subwoofer)
Accessories (hide)
AC power outletPowers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier.   [?]
Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier.
Cruise control
Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.   [?]
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Power locks
Power rear side windows
Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.   [?]
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Remote startStart the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in.   [?]
Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in.
Tilt steering wheel, manual
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual
Universal garage door openerHomelink.   [?]
Homelink.
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety (hide)
4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.   [?]
Rear disc brakes.
AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.   [?]
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.   [?]
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Brake assistWhen a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.   [?]
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
Front airbagsMandatory, in all cars.   [?]
Mandatory, in all cars.
Side curtain airbagsAirbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.   [?]
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Stability controlSelectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).   [?]
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Temporary spare tire
Tire-pressure monitorTwo types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.   [?]
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Traction controlWhen a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.   [?]
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
Cargo Management (hide)
Cargo mat
Cargo net
Cargo organizerAbove floor system for organizing cargo.   [?]
Above floor system for organizing cargo.
Cargo tray
Console with shifter
Storage compartment under second row seats
Climate Control (hide)
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control, frontMaintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.   [?]
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Dual-zone climate controlTemperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.   [?]
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.   [?]
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Rear defrost
Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.   [?]
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Speed-sensitive wipersOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.   [?]
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Variable intermittent wipersTime between wipes can be precisely adjusted.   [?]
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Engine / Motor (hide)
Engine-block heaterPlugs into electrical outlet to warm up the engine. Facilitates starting in extreme cold.   [?]
Plugs into electrical outlet to warm up the engine. Facilitates starting in extreme cold.
Exterior (hide)
Bodyside moldingsMoldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots.   [?]
Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots.
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.   [?]
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Laminated front side windowsReduces interior noise, prevents side windows from shattering.   [?]
Reduces interior noise, prevents side windows from shattering.
Paint, special black
Paint, special red
Paint, special white
Rear spoilerCan be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.   [?]
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Sunroof
Infotainment (hide)
Audio controls on steering wheel
Aux inputJack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.   [?]
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.
Bluetooth cell phone linkEnables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.   [?]
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.
CD player
MP3-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.   [?]
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.
Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.   [?]
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
Telematics service, such as OnStar, with navigationIn-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system plus turn-by-turn navigation (no map display). For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months.   [?]
In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system plus turn-by-turn navigation (no map display). For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months.
USB portOften permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls.   [?]
Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls.
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors (hide)
Auto-dimming rearview mirrorInterior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.   [?]
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Automatic headlightsHeadlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.   [?]
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.
CompassWe haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.   [?]
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
Fog lightsLight wide area close in front of the vehicle.   [?]
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Heated mirrorsClears ice and fog from mirrors.   [?]
Clears ice and fog from mirrors.
Illuminated visor mirror, driverIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.   [?]
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Illuminated visor mirror, passengerIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.   [?]
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Interior ambient lightingLEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior.   [?]
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior.
Map lightsFront row reading lights.   [?]
Front row reading lights.
Outside temperature display
Power mirrorsIncludes value of manual remote mirrors.   [?]
Includes value of manual remote mirrors.
TachometerReports engine speed.   [?]
Reports engine speed.
Upgraded instrumentsOnly listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.   [?]
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Visor mirror, driver
Visor mirror, passenger
Seats and Interior Trim (hide)
Front 3-section 3-person split bench
Front buckets
Second-row 3-person bench
Second-row 2-section 3-person split bench
Center armrest(s), front row
Center armrest(s), second row
Door sill trim plates
Floor mats
Folding second row seatsSeat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.   [?]
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Heated front seats
Leather seating surfacesSeating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.   [?]
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Manual lumbar adjuster, driver seatManually adjustable lower back support.   [?]
Manually adjustable lower back support.
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat
Power height adjuster, driver seat
Power height adjuster, passenger seat
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seatPower-adjustable lower back support.   [?]
Power-adjustable lower back support.
Power recliner, driver seat
Power tilt adjuster, driver seatPower tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.   [?]
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seatPower tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.   [?]
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Synthetic suede inserts in seating surfacesSeating surfaces are part cloth or vinyl, part synthetic suede.   [?]
Seating surfaces are part cloth or vinyl, part synthetic suede.
Woodgrain trim (optional)Fake wood trim, only listed if optional.   [?]
Fake wood trim, only listed if optional.
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires (hide)
Alloy wheels
Alloy-look steel wheelsSpoked steel wheel with a plastic cover that makes it look like an alloy wheel.   [?]
Spoked steel wheel with a plastic cover that makes it look like an alloy wheel.
Chrome-clad alloy wheelsAlloy wheels with a chromed plastic veneer. Replace and include value of regular alloy wheels.   [?]
Alloy wheels with a chromed plastic veneer. Replace and include value of regular alloy wheels.
Comfort suspension (upgrade)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.   [?]
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Machined alloy wheelsOuter surface of alloy wheels machines to yield a bright finish. Replace and include value of reqular alloy wheels.   [?]
Outer surface of alloy wheels machines to yield a bright finish. Replace and include value of reqular alloy wheels.
Performance steering system (optional)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.   [?]
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Return to top

Option Package Contents

What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala

What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2012--2016-2014 Chevrolet Malibu