Both the Malibu Sunsetter 23 XTi 2005 and the Malibu VTX 2009 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?
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 400 hp for the Malibu Sunsetter 23 XTi 2005 and 400 hp for the Malibu VTX 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. 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 VTX 2009 caps at 10. 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 VTX 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.