Choosing a midsize sedan for your family and cruising with friends can be tricky. On the one hand, you might want something comfortable; on the other hand, you might want fuel economy above all else. That is not a problem anymore, with comfortable options like the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu on the market. Consumer Reports prefers the Honda Accord for buyers looking for a midsized sedan, but the Chevrolet Malibu still has merit. So given a choice between the 2022 Honda Accord and the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, which car should you buy?

2022 Honda Accord gets excellent engine options, including a hybrid

Honda decided in 2018 to tear the existing Accord down and build a different car altogether. The move was risky, but it paid off for Honda. The 2022 Honda Accord gets a suite of turbocharged engines and available hybrid technology. The most capable of the Accord powerplant options is the single-turbo 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. That engine produces 192 horsepower and is more than enough to make the Accord one of the swiftest cars in its segment. However, if the 1.5L is not enough for you, the 2022 Honda Accord is available with a 2.0L turbo engine producing a respectable 252 horsepower.

In addition to the gas powerplants, the Accord is available with a 212 horsepower hybrid platform. Consumer Reports says that the hybrid accomplished 47mpg overall and retained its thrust. Additionally, the Honda model’s use of space accommodated the batteries necessary for the hybrid drivetrain without sacrificing cargo volume.

2022 Honda Accord is a comfortable ride with a quality interior

The 2022 Honda Accord features a well-balanced suspension, capable of absorbing road imperfections with ease. Not only is it comfortable, but Consumer Reports say the Accord’s suspension is also capable enough to facilitate drama-free cornering with minimal body roll.

Beyond the ride, the interior is comfortable with a good fit and finish, if not as luxurious as a Subaru Legacy. Finally, Honda’s efforts to insulate the midsize sedan have succeeded, as the Accord models isolate the driver from road and engine noise. In addition to physical isolation, Honda outfitted the Accord with active noise canceling.

2022 Chevrolet Malibu is a comfortable car, but it has some issues

The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu’s first party piece is the overall exterior aesthetic of the vehicle. It is a handsome midsize sedan, with a design language that Consumer Reports calls Audi-esque. Underneath the skin, the Chevrolet Malibu offers refined comfort and significant noise mitigation designed to insulate the driver.

However, the Malibu model has some problems. First, Chevrolet dropped the hybrid model in 2019, eliminating the option for a Malibu capable of 41 mpg. Dropping the hybrid model means the best fuel economy you’ll get from a Malibu is a fair 29 mpg combined. 29 mpg is not sufficient to compete with the 47 mpg of the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid. Next, the entry-level trim’s cloth seats are reportedly less than supportive. However, the comfort and support issue could be solved by opting for a higher trim, such as the LT. Finally, Consumer Reports says that the contemporary styling compromised ease of access to the car and driver visibility.

Which car should you buy, the 2022 Honda Accord or the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu?

After extensive road testing, Consumer Reports awarded a CR recommendation to the 2022 Honda Accord, but not the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. While the Malibu has redeeming qualities like comfort and stylish design, the quality, ride, and refinement aren’t up to the standards of the Honda Accord.