Battle of the Family Rides

2010 Chevrolet Malibu vs. Toyota Camry

Chevrolet Malibu. The name conjures a history of stability, capability, and value. In recent years, Toyota has so successfully modeled itself after General Motors that the Camry rides the top of the sales charts. Meeting that challenge directly, the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu carries its best set of credentials, ever. Stylish and solid, the Malibu doesn't give an inch to the Camry, and bests the leader on many counts.
First impressions being so vital, the Malibu wins the day with its looks. A subjective area, to be sure; neither the Camry nor the Malibu is a bad looking car. That said, the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has a carefully sculpted form that's arguably more pleasing than the Camry's styling. The Malibu is also a slightly fresher face on the market than the Camry, and its strong stance brings the impression of broad-shouldered dependability. All Malibus sport clean lines, and climbing the trim-level ladder doesn't add undue adornment. Always tasteful, an LTZ-trimmed Malibu shines jewel-like from the curb, with its carefully faceted sheetmetal and translucent lenses glimmering as if made from rubies and diamonds. It's an impressively rich look for a mainstream sedan, one that can't be matched by the Camry's lines. Looking into the Malibu's history, there's a long bloodline of cars with unbeatable styling to which this Malibu is heir.

The interior story is the same as what's going on outside. Where the Camry sports an instrument panel that hearkens back to the 1990s, the cockpit in the Malibu sweeps around driver and passenger in a pair of graceful arcs. Set deep in a triplet of chrome-rimmed nacelles are clearly-legible gauges. Five adults will find comfortable surroundings in the Malibu, and the Chevy's longer wheelbase makes for a better ride while keeping the wheels from encroaching on the cabin.

Aside from the functional assessments of the Malibu and Camry, there's the issue of execution. While both cars can be equipped with navigation systems, upgraded audio, and leather upholstery, things feel better in the Malibu. Even in the LS, panel gaps are impressively tight and there's an air of richness. Custom cloth seats with power adjustments are standard, as is cruise control and an audio system with CD, MP3 playback, and an auxiliary input. LT buyers can upgrade the seating surfaces with UltraLux upholstery and heated front seats with six-way power adjustment. Two-tone leather tastefully dresses up the seats in the Malibu LTZ, and the look is exceptionally upscale, with contrasting piping that evokes cars like Bentley and Aston Martin.

Both the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu and 2010 Toyota Camry use 169-hp four-cylinder engines as standard equipment; the Malibu employing a 2.4-liter ECOTEC with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) versus the Camry's newly-enlarged 2.5-liter unit. Most Malibus will come equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, with TAPshift controls for manually shifting when your inner sports-car driver takes over. The Malibu wears standard 17-inch alloy wheels instead of the Camry's 15-inchers, and Chevrolet stands behind its powertrain with a 100,000-mile warranty, instead of Toyota's 60,000-mile powertrain coverage. You also get an extra year of anti-corrosion coverage with the Malibu – a full 72 months. Along with the industry-leading warranty coverage, the Chevrolet Malibu offers the comfort and security of the OnStar system and its safety and driver-aid capabilities.

Both the Malibu and the Camry offer a V6 engine as an option, as well. The Malibu's 3.6-liter unit is the same engine that Cadillac fits to the CTS, and has won praise for its power and smooth delivery. The Malibu offers significantly more generous fitment for lower option packages, however. The V6 is available in all trims but the LS, and LT packages on the Malibu add things like leather seating and heated seats as standard equipment.

Stability control is standard both cars, but a trip through the trim levels shows the Malibu clearly delivering significant value. Leather seats? Standard on the Malibu 2LT, but a big step up to a V6 Camry XLE. Remote start? Standard. The best fuel economy? Malibu (33 mpg with the four-cylinder). There are details all over the Malibu that speak to the attentive way Chevrolet crafts it. There's even acoustic laminated glass to block out noise, and Consumer's Digest recommends the Malibu as a Best Buy.

Driving the Malibu will prove that Consumer's Digest is seriously on the money with the recommendation. The midsize-sedan marketplace is brutally competitive, and the Malibu comes out swinging with a stellar combination of value, style, and quality that delivers a knockout to the Camry. MSRP for the 2010 Chevy Malibu starts at $21,285.