Chevy Malibu vs Toyota Camry

If you’re looking for a great mid-size two car, two of the top options on the market for the last 20+ years are the Chevy Malibu and the Toyota Camry. But while they’re both great options, chances are you’re only going to get one.

How do they stack up against each other, why are they both so popular, and which one is right for you? We’ll answer those questions and more for you here.

The Chevy Malibu

There are millions of Chevy Malibus on the road today. With so many of these cars on the road, they must be doing something right. There are tons of options to pick from through the years, and we’ll help give you a little better understanding of what’s out there here.

Engine Options & Performance Specs

While the Chevy Malibu isn’t quite as established as the Camry, the Chevy did push out the first Malibu over 25 years ago. Through the years Chevy has changed quite a bit under the hood, and that’s why there are 15+ engine options to pick from.

We’ve highlighted each one for you here, and we highlighted the performance specs for each option.

Cargo Space & Ground Clearance

If you want a car that’s close to the ground, you’re not going to find many cars that sit a lot lower than the Chevy Malibu. No matter what model year you go with they sit just 4.6” off the ground, and that’s pretty low for a stock suspension sedan.

As far as cargo space, earlier models boosted a little more cargo space at 17.1 cubic feet, while in the newest models this space has shrunk to 15.7 cubic feet. That’s still more than enough space for everyday life, but it’s definitely smaller than earlier models.

The Toyota Camry

Few vehicles have a reputation for reliability like the Toyota Camry. It’s a well-earned reputation, and it’s why you can still see so many Toyota Camrys on the road today.

They’re an extremely popular car for a reason, and there are tons of options for you to consider if you’re in the market for a Camry.

Engine Options & Performance Specs

With a vehicle that first hit the road in 1983, it’s no surprise that there are more than a few engine options under the hood. But with 20+ engines you really need to pay close attention to what you’re getting.

The lowest-powered engines provide less than 100 horsepower, while the most powerful ones push out more than 300! Take a look under the hood to see exactly what you’re getting. We’ve highlighted every engine option you can find under the hood for you here.

Cargo Space & Ground Clearance

While the Chevy Malibu has the same ground clearance no matter what model year you go with, that’s not the case with the Toyota Camry. The ground clearance ranges from 5.1” to 6.7” which is a pretty big deviation between the different models. But no matter what option you choose, the Camry sits higher than the Malibu.

But while the Camry sits higher than the Malibu, they do have a smaller amount of storage space. Older Camrys have 13.6 cubic feet of storage space, but the newest models up that space to 15.1 cubic feet. That’s not much smaller than the 15.7 cubic feet of storage space the newer Malibus have, but it is a bit smaller.

Either Camry provides enough space for groceries and everyday things, but you could struggle trying to move larger objects like televisions with either option.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to go with a Chevy Malibu or a Toyota Camry we’re confident that you’ll love your new car. They’re both great choices, which means all that’s left is for you to decide which one you want and why.

If you have any questions, concerns, or if you’re ready to get behind the wheel of your own Camry or Malibu, the team at Tim’s Truck would love to help! Reach out today and they’ll walk you through everything you need to know and answer any questions you may have.

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