Both the Malibu Response LXi 2007 and the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 LXi 2007 at 20,0 ft versus Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 at 21,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 tips the scales at 3 700 lbs - 900 lbs less than the Malibu Response LXi 2007 at 2 800 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 555 hp, the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 has a 155-hp advantage over the Malibu Response LXi 2007's 400-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 41 gal and 41 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Malibu Response LXi 2007 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 21 VLX 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu Response LXi 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.