The Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 MLX 2021 vs Malibu VTX 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 MLX 2021 has a 50-hp advantage over the Malibu VTX 2009'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 — 48 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 Boats Wakesetter 21 MLX 2021 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Malibu VTX 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 MLX 2021 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 MLX 2021 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,6 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 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.