Compare the2025 Chevrolet MalibuVS 2025 Toyota Camry

Both the Malibu and the Camry have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

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’ 2024 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 second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th.

The Malibu has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry (15.8 vs. 13 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.

The Malibu stops shorter than the Camry:

For better traction, the Malibu RS’ 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 AWD 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 Camry XLE AWD (26.4 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Malibu may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Toyota Camry.

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.

The Malibu has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Camry (102.9 vs. 99.9).

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

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

The Malibu has a standard 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 Camry 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 Camry 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 Camry doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Malibu’s standard Keyless Access System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Camry only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

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.

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.