Midsized sedans seem to be the happy medium for many people. They are big enough to offer a reasonable amount of space, and won’t make you or your passengers feel too cramped. They are small enough to fit in tighter parking spaces and are good options for drivers who don’t want an SUV. The Chevrolet Malibu is one of the more popular choices among midsized sedans, but there are things that it could improve on. These other options are competitively priced, and they might even make up for what the Malibu lacks.

The Malibu’s downfall

Now we aren’t saying that the Chevy Malibu is a bad car by any means, but it does have some areas where it needs some significant improvements. The Malibu has some question reliability ratings according to Consumer Reports, but that isn’t the only area that this midsized sedan falls short in. The interior leaves a lot of test drivers complaining about discomfort and the amount of low-quality plastic that lines the dash and door panels.

The Malibu does have some highlights. It has plenty of cargo space, and while the seats aren’t particularly comfortable, they do offer a lot of space. The Chevrolet Malibu isn’t the only midsized sedan on the market. There are a few options that make up for what the Malibu lacks, and they are just as well priced.

Better options for midsized sedans

There are a handful of options for midsized sedans that aren’t the Chevrolet Malibu. The underrated Subaru Legacy is an excellent option for a standard vehicle. It’s affordable price, combined with its history of reliability, makes it a good contender for a daily driver or a first car. The Legacy is just as spacious as the Malibu but with the comfort that the other option lacks.

Even better yet is the Kia Optima, a sport option for a midsized sedan. Like the Legacy, the Optima is a much more comfortable option over the Malibu. As well as having a spacious interior, the Optima is sporty and offers more responsive steering and handling experience. Like the other sedan options, this Kia is competitively priced, making it an affordable option for many drivers looking to get into a brand-new vehicle.

Buying a brand new vehicle doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. These options are affordable brand new, and they have a lot to offer. The Chevrolet Malibu loses some significant points for its lack of comfort, but the Kia Optima and Subaru Legacy makes up for what the Malibu lacks, without additional costs.