Which Midsize Sedan Is the Better Family Car: The 2024 Chevy Malibu or Nissan Altima?

Choosing a car is always a tough decision, but it can be even more complicated when you have a family. Kids can be unpredictable, picking up new interests, hobbies, and after-school activities that might require you to drive them (and maybe their friends as well) to all kinds of places with all kinds of equipment on board. So you need to get a car that’s versatile, comfortable, and has space for everyone. And since every parent wants the best for their family, you also want a good quality car that has useful features and is built to last.

Here at DePaula Chevrolet, we’re very familiar with the Malibu and know that it’s a great choice for parents on the go. But we also know that you have other options that you may be considering. So today, we’re going to compare the Malibu to one of its popular rivals. Looking at 2024 Chevy Malibu vs 2024 Nissan Altima, we’ll see which midsize sedan makes the better family car.

Interior Space

Midsize sedans offer more space than compact models like the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta, so you and your family have more elbow space and more breathing room. Both the Malibu and the Altima have folding rear seats with a 60/40 split that lets you change up the interior from ride to ride, depending on whether you’re running errands and need room for cargo, chauffeuring all the kids at once, or somewhere in-between. Both also have sealed trunks instead of open cargo areas. While this isn’t optimal for bulky items, it’s the safer setup if you have to stop suddenly, since items can’t fly forward from the back and reach the passenger area. It also keeps your things secure and blocked from view while your car is parked.

If you want the most interior space possible, the Malibu is your best bet. It’s longer, wider, and taller than the Altima, giving you more room in the cabin to work with. Compared to the Altima, the Malibu has an extra six cu.ft. of passenger space. There’s also slightly more room for cargo, so you can fit enough groceries to feed everyone in the household, comfortably transport the whole family’s luggage on airplane runs, and pack in plenty of sports equipment for your little ones’ extracurricular activities.

Safety Features

Staying safe on the road is a top priority for everyone, but it’s especially important for parents when their kids are along for the ride. Both of these cars have a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, meaning that they’re crashworthy and fit to protect your family if you should ever get into an accident. They also both come standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance technology, which can help you stay aware of your surroundings and react to danger quickly.

Across all trims for both models, you’ll find standard forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, rear parking sensors, and lane departure warning. Interestingly, the Altima doesn’t come standard with lane keep assist until you get up to the high-level SL trim. The Malibu comes standard with this feature across all trim levels. Every Malibu comes standard with a Rear Seat Reminder, which helps you remember to check the back seat so you don’t forget anything important while trying to stay on schedule and juggle everything that needs to get done.

Innovative Tech

Both of these cars have state-of-the-art infotainment systems to help keep you and your family entertained and informed while on the road. Since these systems are pretty equivalent, we will focus on things that are helpful for parents and the differences between the two models. For one thing, the Malibu comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity across all trims, while the Altima only offers standard wireless connectivity once you climb up to the SL trim.

Since many drivers rely on their connected smartphones to play music and provide navigation, these features are a big deal. And while a wired connection works fine, relying on cables isn’t always easy. Little kids can break fragile cables, and forgetful teens are liable to “borrow” them from the car and forget to return them. Having a backup can reduce stress and help you avoid any inconveniences.

Speaking of teens, another important aspect of a family car is how prepared it is for a young driver to get behind the wheel. Chevy’s Teen Driver technology is a tried and true way to help your kids develop good driving habits. Now standard fare across the board, the built-in system helps you coach your kids as they practice to earn their permit, get their license, and become a responsible driver.

You can set a volume limit, ensure certain safety features can’t be turned off, set alerts that go off when a certain speed is reached, and more. You can also check the in-vehicle report card to see the total distance driven and maximum speed reached during a driving session, and see if there were any events that triggered the antilock brakes, stability control system, or forward collision alert. The whole system is protected by a unique PIN, so your teen can’t tamper with it, and you can set up a specific key fob to be linked to the driving restrictions.

Teen Driver is a unique feature in the auto industry, and most brands don’t have an equivalent technology. Nissan’s closest equivalent feature is Restricted Driving Mode, but it’s pretty different. It’s unavailable on lower trims; you must upgrade to the Altima SL to unlock it. It’s also controlled through NissanConnect Services, which requires a subscription. While it allows you to set limits on speed and volume, the lack of an equivalent to Teen Driver’s report card can still leave you wondering what your young driver was really up to while they were off on their own.

The Malibu Offers More for Less

Balancing a budget can be especially hard when you have a family. Kids can be expensive and it’s nice to be able to spend extra money on getting them nicer gifts during the holidays or making lasting memories on vacation instead of getting a more expensive car. Some comfort and convenience features might be worth the cost if they make your life easier and give you more time and energy to spend with your family, but there’s no sense in choosing a more expensive option if you can get the same joy from something more affordable.

Whether you want a basic trim or a more luxurious offering, you’ll find that the Malibu is the more affordable choice. The starting price for the Altima S (the most basic trim level) is $26,370, while the starting price for the entry-level Malibu LS is $25,100.^[a] Climb up the trim ladder, and you’ll find that the Malibu is always a better value than its Altima alternative. And since you already know all of the great features you’ll get from the Malibu, you can rest easy knowing that you’re spending your money well and getting a car that’s not just a bargain but a safe, comfortable model that the whole family can appreciate.

The Malibu Is the Perfect Car for the Modern Family on the Go

The Altima has plenty of great features going for it, but it just can’t match the Malibu when it comes to the priorities most families desire when shopping for a car. Not only does it have ample space, it also has the tech you need to keep you and your family connected and safe while on the go. And on top of all that, it’s the more affordable option, so you don’t have to stretch your budget to get a quality car. Here at DePaula Chevrolet, we love being able to offer the families who come to us great options, like the Malibu, that can make their lives easier and turn driving from a chore into a pleasant experience for everyone.

^[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.