Compare the2022 Genesis G70VS 2022 Chevrolet Malibu

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Genesis G70 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 G70 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Malibu doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The G70 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Malibu doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The G70’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 G70 Sport Prestige has a standard 360-degree Multi-view Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Malibu only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The G70 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Malibu’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the G70 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Malibu.

The G70’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 G70 and the Malibu have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

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 “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the G70 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Malibu last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The G70 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Malibu’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the G70 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Chevrolet covers the Malibu. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Malibu ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The G70’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Malibu’s (7/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the G70 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Malibu.

Reliability

The battery on the G70 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the G70’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Malibu’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 G70’s reliability 28 points higher than the Malibu.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 7th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Genesis 12 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The G70 has more powerful engines than the Malibu:

	Horsepower	Torque
G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	252 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
G70 3.3T 3.3 turbo V6	365 HP	376 lbs.-ft.
G70 3.3T 3.3 turbo V6	368 HP	376 lbs.-ft.
Malibu 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder	160 HP	184 lbs.-ft.
Malibu Premier 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP	260 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Chevrolet Malibu 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

	G70	Malibu
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.9 MPH	84.6 MPH

Transmission

The G70’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Malibu doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the G70’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Malibu:

	G70 2.0T	G70 3.3T	Malibu
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	13.8 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.4 inches	11.3 inches

The G70 3.3T’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Malibu are solid, not vented.

The G70 stops much shorter than the Malibu:

	G70	Malibu
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	106 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	146 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the G70 has larger standard tires than the Malibu (225/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

The G70’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Malibu LS’ standard 65 series tires. The G70’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Malibu’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the G70 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Malibu LS.

Suspension and Handling

The G70 has standard front gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Malibu’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The G70 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Malibu’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the G70 is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Malibu.

The G70’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Malibu’s (61.6% to 38.4%). This gives the G70 more stable handling and braking.

The G70 handles at .94 G’s, while the Malibu LT pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The G70 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the Malibu LT (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the G70’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Malibu’s (36.3 feet vs. 37 feet).

Chassis

The G70 is 9.8 inches shorter than the Malibu, making the G70 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the G70 is quieter than the Malibu LT (37 vs. 42 dB).

Passenger Space

The G70 has .7 inches more front headroom and 1.1 inches more front legroom than the Malibu.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the G70’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Malibu’s useful trunk space.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the G70. The Malibu doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the G70’s trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The G70 3.3T Prestige/3.3T Sport also has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Malibu doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

The G70 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Malibu uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the G70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Malibu. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Genesis service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Genesis 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 19th.

Ergonomics

The G70 Sport Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Malibu doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The G70’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.

The G70 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.

The G70 3.3T/Prestige/Sport’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Malibu’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the G70 3.3T Elite/Prestige/Sport has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Malibu doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The G70’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Chevrolet only offers heated mirrors on the Malibu LT/Premier.

The G70’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Malibu offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The G70 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Malibu LT/Premier.

Both the G70 and the Malibu offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the G70 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Malibu L/LS/RS doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Genesis G70, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Malibu isn't recommended.

The G70 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The Malibu has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the G70 as their 2019 Car of the Year. The Malibu has never been chosen.