Both the Malibu vRide 2006 and the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Malibu vRide 2006 at 21,0 ft versus Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 tips the scales at 4 000 lbs - 1 000 lbs less than the Malibu vRide 2006 at 3 000 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 450 hp, the Malibu Wakesetter 20 MXZ 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Malibu vRide 2006'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 - 35 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 vRide 2006 caps at 10. 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 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu vRide 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.