
Starting at

Starting at
| 29/36 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy mpg) | 28/39 |
| 15.7 | Max Cargo (cu.ft.) | 15.1 |
| 8 | Base Infotainment Screen (in) | 7 |
How do you pick the right midsize car? There are so many options on the market that the decision can get overwhelming very quickly. This is why we’ve decided to compare two of the most popular models out there: the 2022 Chevy Malibu vs 2022 Toyota Camry. The midsize sedan remains one of the most popular car classes on the market. It offers a nice balance between compact and large sedans, giving drivers the best of both worlds. The car owner gets plenty of space, but not so much space that the car feels clunky or difficult to navigate.
Since it’s somewhere in the middle on the sizing scale, a sedan is a great option for any driver type. When you decide between these two models, don’t decide based on brand or style alone. Instead, pay close attention to the specs. You want to note which model offers the best price, which one offers the most power, and notice what unique features are offered.
Both the Malibu and the Camry are impressive, and they do offer similar features. However, overall, the 2022 Chevy Malibu is the best option between the two models. The Malibu comes out ahead with the cheaper price tag, and it also offers tow capacity and more space than its competition. Even the Malibu’s city mileage is one mile higher than the Camry’s. We’re excited to show you what all the 2022 Malibu brings to the table.

There’s no doubt that variety is important when it comes to performance. Some people want better fuel economy and can pass on power, whereas others need a nice balance of power and reasonable fuel efficiency. The Malibu is perfect for these buyers, thanks to its two engine choices. You can choose between a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter turbo engine that comes standard and can get up to 29 miles per gallon in the city or a power 2.0-liter turbo engine that is capable of producing 250 horsepower. The 2022 Malibu also includes standard variable-effort Electric Power Steering, meaning it’s easy to drive in low-speed circumstances but also fun to zip around in.
The Camry also includes a few different engine options. However, its powerful engine option is a V6; however, it only gets 22 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. The base engine is a 2.5L I-4 that will produce 186 lb-ft of torque. It does offer a pretty smooth driving experience, but the 8-speed automatic transmission just doesn't hold up against the CVT you can get with the base Malibu engine or the nicer 9-speed automatic that you can get with the Malibu 2.0L engine.

Both the Malibu and the Camry include several available driver assistance features such as automatic pedestrian braking, cross traffic alert, and forward collision alert. However, Chevy offers a specific driver assist feature that opens up new possibilities for parents and guardians. This feature is the Teen Driver. Let’s take a closer look at what this safety feature can do.
This feature is a lot more than just a single “mode.” Teen Driver Mode offers several technologies that help keep your mind at ease while your teen is on the road. The best part is that Teen Drive Mode comes standard across the board. Whether you choose the lowest trim or the highest, you won’t have to pay extra to use this feature.
So, what is Teen Driver Mode? It’s a teen-based driver safety suite that includes the following features:
Some of these features are self-explanatory, but let’s go over a few of the complex ones. First off, “Buckle to Drive” is a brand-new feature across all vehicles with the Teen Driver system. It will automatically mute the Malibu’s audio until all front-seaters are buckled up. Further, this feature prevents the Malibu from being shifted out of park for up to 20 seconds until every front-seater is buckled up. The Report Card is a feature that monitors your teen’s driving when you’re not around, and it lets you know how they’re truly driving. This feature monitors and reports the following stats:
Driver assistance triggers may not seem like a bad thing at first. However, Teen Driver Mode lets you know when Automatic Emergency Braking and similar features have been deployed to show you how close your teen has been to having an accident. Guardians can also lock the Malibu’s driver assist features so that teens cannot disable them. These features are not designed for you to constantly be looking over your teen's shoulder but rather to help your teen learn to drive safely and take the road seriously. The Teen Driver Mode technology is unique to GM vehicles only. The 2022 Toyota Camry does not offer this or a comparable feature.
In addition to Teen Driver Mode, the Malibu also includes some available safety features. These include the following:
These features are designed specifically to aid in accident prevention. Using sensors and cameras, the Malibu can automatically brake when needed, detect people and items in your path, and help you just be more aware of the road conditions while you are driving.
Although Teen Driver is impressive, we do have to give credit to the Camry when it comes to available safety features. While none are as unique as Teen Driver, you can add on the following safety features to a Camry:
While these features are handy, they do not offer the same unique options that the Malibu’s Teen Driver system does.

One of the main reasons to buy a midsize sedan is for its spacious interior and trunk area. While sedans won't have the same levels of space as an SUV might, they can still be quite roomy for passengers and handle your everyday cargo needs. While both the Malibu and the Camry offer ample space, the Malibu does come out ahead, especially when you look at price value.
Getting more for your money is always a perk, and that’s exactly what you do when you choose the Malibu over the Camry. The 2022 Malibu’s trunk includes 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. Further, it offers up to 102.9 cubic feet of passenger space. The Camry, on the other hand, only offers 15.1 cubic feet of cargo and 100.4 cubic feet of passenger space. As a result, the math shows that the Malibu offers 2.5 cubic feet more space for passengers than its competition. While this may not seem like much on paper, that space difference can mean a lot to the passengers sitting in your back row.
In addition to size, you'll want to consider other interior features available on these cars. Both models include options for various interior colors and heating seating, along with standard infotainment touch screens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Malibu offers a better base infotainment screen at 8 inches compared to the Camry's 7-inch base screen.