Both the Malibu Sunsetter 23 XTi 2005 and the Malibu VLX 2010 are modified-V designs, 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?
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 505 hp, the Malibu VLX 2010 has a 105-hp advantage over the Malibu Sunsetter 23 XTi 2005'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 - 47 gal and 46 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu Sunsetter 23 XTi 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Malibu VLX 2010 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Sunsetter 23 XTi 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Sunsetter 23 XTi 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu VLX 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.