DecodedCarsChevrolet Malibu vs Toyota Crown
2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2025 Toyota Crown — two midsize cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
The short version
The Toyota Crown is more fuel-efficient: 41 vs 31 MPG combined in its best version.
That works out to about $500 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Crown (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).
The Toyota Crown is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.
Across all model years since 2005, the Toyota Crown has had fewer recall campaigns (4 vs 41).
The two cars
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize car offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,126 lb (Ls/RS/Lt 4dr Sedan).
The 2025 Toyota Crown is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 196 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb (4dr Sedan Platinum).
Buying used? The 2024 Malibu and the 2024 Crown have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Malibu.
Basics
Efficiency
Performance & space
Safety & reliability
Interest
Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Chevrolet Malibu if…
It doesn't clearly beat the Toyota Crown on any measure we track.
Choose the Toyota Crown if…
- You want lower fuel bills (41 vs 31 MPG)
- You need AWD or 4WD
- You want a hybrid or electric option
- You put reliability history first (4 vs 41 recalls since 2005)
Pros & cons of each
2025 Chevrolet Malibu
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
2025 Toyota Crown
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 41 MPG combined — 37% better than the average 2025 midsize car (30 MPG).
- Strong performanceUp to 264 hp, versus about 192 hp for similar 2025 models.
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Full 2025 Chevrolet Malibu specs →Full 2025 Toyota Crown specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →