Compare the2022 Chevrolet MalibuVS 2022 Genesis G70

The Chevrolet Malibu has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Malibu’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The G70 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Malibu and the G70 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, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

There are almost 9 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Malibu’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Malibu second among midsize cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The G70 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Malibu gets better mileage than the G70:

The Malibu has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The G70 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Malibu higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Genesis G70 (3). This means the Malibu produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G70 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Chevrolet Malibu Premier, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the G70.

The Malibu has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The G70 doesn’t offer a CVT.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Malibu has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Malibu stops shorter than the G70:

For better traction, the Malibu’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the G70 (245/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

The Chevrolet Malibu may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 650 pounds less than the Genesis G70.

The front grille of the Malibu (except 2.0 Turbo) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The G70 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Malibu LT is quieter than the G70 (71 vs. 77 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Malibu a Mid-size car, while the G70 is rated a Compact.

The Malibu has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G70 (102.9 vs. 95.9).

The Malibu has 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the G70.

The Malibu has a much larger trunk than the G70 (15.7 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

The Malibu has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The G70 has no towing capacity.

The Malibu Premier can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Malibu can be unhitched and driven around locally. The G70 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Malibu’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The G70 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Malibu LS/LT/Premier’s available exterior PIN entry system. The G70 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Connected Care can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Consumer Reports rated the Malibu’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the G70’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Malibu to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The G70 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Malibu Premier has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The G70 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Malibu Premier’s optional Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The G70 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Chevrolet Malibu outsold the Genesis G70 by over six to one during the 2021 model year.