Compare the2023 Chevrolet MalibuVS 2022 Toyota Avalon

Both the Malibu and the Avalon 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, front wheel drive, 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 Avalon:

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 Avalon:

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 Avalon’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 Avalon isn’t in the top three 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 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 Avalon:

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 Avalon doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Malibu has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon XLE’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 14.5 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 Avalon 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 Avalon (5). This means the Malibu produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Avalon 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 Avalon doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Malibu stops shorter than the Avalon:

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

The Malibu handles at .88 G’s, while the Avalon Touring pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Malibu executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Avalon Touring (26.4 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Malibu’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Avalon XLE’s (37 feet vs. 37.7 feet). The Malibu’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Avalon Limited/Touring’s (37 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Chevrolet Malibu may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 550 pounds less than the Toyota Avalon.

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 Avalon doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Malibu has 1.7 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more front shoulder room than the Avalon.

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

The Malibu offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Avalon doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 Avalon 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’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Avalon doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Malibu’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Avalon’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Malibu to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Avalon 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 Avalon 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 Avalon 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 Avalon is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

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 Avalon only retains 43.2% to 43.69%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Malibu is less expensive to operate than the Avalon 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 Avalon, including $172 less for a starter, $94 less for fuel injection, $54 less for a fuel pump, $112 less for front struts, $1026 less for a timing belt/chain and $119 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Malibu will be $4531 to $9945 less than for the Toyota Avalon.

The Chevrolet Malibu outsold the Toyota Avalon by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.