Compare the2023 Chevrolet MalibuVS 2023 Toyota Camry

Both the Malibu and the Camry have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

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

	Malibu	Camry
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	18%	20%
Neck Stress	216 lbs.	262 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	252/306 lbs.	432/527 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	272	335
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.7 inches
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	45 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	162/232 lbs.	266/310 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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Malibu is safer than the Toyota Camry:

	Malibu	Camry
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	35 G’s
Hip Force	549 lbs.	622 lbs.

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

The Malibu’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Camry’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Toyota 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 Camry isn’t in the top three.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 14th.

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

			MPG
Malibu
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/35 hwy
Camry
	FWD	Camry XLE 3.5 DOHC V6	22 city/33 hwy
		Camry XSE 3.5 DOHC V6	22 city/32 hwy
		TRD 3.5 DOHC V6	22 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Malibu’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Camry doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Malibu has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 14.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Camry 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 Toyota Camry (5 to 7). This means the Malibu produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Camry 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 Camry doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Malibu stops shorter than the Camry:

	Malibu	Camry
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	175 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Malibu’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Camry (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18).

The Malibu handles at .88 G’s, while the Camry XLE pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Malibu executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Camry SE (26.4 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Malibu’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the Camry LE’s (37 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Malibu’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Camry AWD SE/XLE/XSE’s (37 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

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 Camry doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Malibu LT is quieter than the Camry LE:

	Malibu	Camry
Full-Throttle	71 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	67 dB

The Malibu has 2.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Camry (102.9 vs. 100.4).

The Malibu has .8 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Camry.

The front step up height for the Malibu is 1.5 inches lower than the Camry (13.5” vs. 15”). The Malibu’s rear step up height is .4 inches lower than the Camry’s (14.1” vs. 14.5”).

The Malibu has a larger trunk than the Camry (15.7 vs. 15.1 cubic feet).

The Malibu’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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

The Malibu has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Camry doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

When two different drivers share the Malibu LT, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Camry doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Malibu Premier’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Camry doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Camry does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Malibu’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Camry’s parking brake has to be released manually.

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 Camry doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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

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

When the Malibu LT with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Camry’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Malibu and the Camry offer available heated front seats. The Malibu Premier also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Camry.

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 Camry 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 Camry doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Malibu owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Malibu with a number “3” insurance rate while the Camry is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Malibu is less expensive to operate than the Camry because it costs $155 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Malibu than the Camry, including $191 less for a starter, $123 less for fuel injection, $63 less for a fuel pump, $76 less for front struts, $989 less for a timing belt/chain and $627 less for a power steering pump.