When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu 23 vRIDE 2012 and the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Malibu 23 vRIDE 2012 measures 23,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 21,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 at 2,0 feet (2013). At 39 lbs and 4 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 tops out at 450 hp. Engine specs for the Malibu 23 vRIDE 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Malibu 23 vRIDE 2012 carries 56 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu 23 vRIDE 2012 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu 23 vRIDE 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu 23 vRIDE 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 13 that costs less to run day-to-day.