When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu Response LX 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Malibu Response LX 2012 at 2,0 ft versus Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 at 2,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Malibu Response LX 2012 tips the scales at 245 lbs — 241 lbs more than the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 at 4 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 tops out at 450 hp. Engine specs for the Malibu Response LX 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 33 gal and 35 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Malibu Response LX 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu Response LX 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.