Compare the2025 Chevrolet MalibuVS 2025 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.

Both the Malibu and the G70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 12 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 third among midsize cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The G70 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 13th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 16th.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Malibu uses regular unleaded gasoline. The G70 2.5T requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 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 (4 to 5). This means the Malibu produces up to 13.2 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.

For better traction, the Malibu RS’ 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 550 to 800 pounds less than the Genesis G70.

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, 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. 11.7 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.

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 $780 less than the G70 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Malibu will be $15200 to $19585 less than for the Genesis G70.

The Chevrolet Malibu outsold the Genesis G70 by almost 10 to one during 2023.