Compare the2022 Toyota CorollaVS 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Corolla are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Malibu doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Corolla has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Malibu doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Corolla’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Malibu.

The Corolla’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Malibu doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Corolla and the Malibu have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla is safer than the Chevrolet Malibu:

	Corolla	Malibu
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	36%
Neck Stress	165 lbs.	169 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla is safer than the Chevrolet Malibu:

	Corolla	Malibu
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	92	160
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.3 inches
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	232 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	137	365
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	62 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	1117 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches
HIC	239	279

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Corolla its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 80 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Malibu last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Corolla’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Malibu’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Malibu.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla’s reliability 48 points higher than the Malibu.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chevrolet is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 17th.

Engine

The Corolla SE/XSE’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (169 vs. 160) than the Malibu’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Corolla SE/XSE 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Chevrolet Malibu 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Corolla	Malibu
Zero to 60 MPH	8.2 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.3 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.4 MPH	84.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla gets better mileage than the Malibu:

			MPG
Corolla
	Manual	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/36 hwy
		2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/36 hwy
	Auto	SE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/40 hwy
		XSE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/38 hwy
		L/LE 1.8 DOHC 4-cyl.	30 city/38 hwy
		XLE 1.8 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/37 hwy
Malibu
	Auto	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/36 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/33 hwy

Transmission

The Corolla offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Malibu doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

Brakes and Stopping

The Corolla stops shorter than the Malibu:

	Corolla	Malibu
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The Corolla Apex handles at .89 G’s, while the Malibu LT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Corolla’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Malibu’s (35.6 feet vs. 37 feet).

Chassis

The Toyota Corolla may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 200 pounds less than the Chevrolet Malibu.

The Corolla is 11.9 inches shorter than the Malibu, making the Corolla easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Corolla easier. The Corolla’s trunk lift-over height is 27.1 inches, while the Malibu’s liftover is 30.5 inches.

Ergonomics

The Corolla’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Malibu’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. The Malibu LT/Premier’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Malibu can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Corolla has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Malibu doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Corolla XLE/XSE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Malibu doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Model Availability

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Chevrolet Malibu isn’t available as a four door hatchback or wagon.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corolla is less expensive to operate than the Malibu because it costs $164 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Corolla than the Malibu, including $217 less for a water pump, $258 less for a muffler, $112 less for front brake pads, $14 less for fuel injection and $59 less for front struts.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Corolla as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Malibu isn't recommended.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Chevrolet Malibu by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.