Compare the2023 Chevrolet MalibuVS 2023 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 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 first among midsize cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The G70 was rated second in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked fourth.

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

Both the Malibu and the G70 2.0T have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Malibus have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the G70.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Malibu uses regular unleaded gasoline. The G70 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 (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.

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 750 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’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.

On a hot day the Malibu’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the G70 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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’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 LT offers an optional 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 LT’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.

Insurance will cost less for the Malibu owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Malibu will cost $1200 less than the G70 over a five-year period.

The Malibu will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Malibu will retain 45.49% to 46.05% of its original price after five years, while the G70 only retains 43.59% to 44.28%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Malibu will be $14795 to $25498 less than for the Genesis G70.

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