The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu gets 31 miles per gallon combined.
In the Midsize Cars class for 2025, the Malibu ranks 11th (tied with 2 others) of 32 for combined mileage (31 mpg), 11th (tied with 1 other) of 30 for yearly fuel cost ($2,000 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 15th of 32 for tailpipe CO2 (283 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 29 mpg, costs $2,575 a year and puts out 289.5 grams per mile.
Across all 250 2025 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 25 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 249 other models, 38 get more miles per gallon than the 2025 Malibu's best version, 13 other models get the same and 198 get less. The 2025 Malibu's cheapest version costs $2,000 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 241 other models with a cost figure, 33 cost less, 9 the same and 199 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2025. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2025 Nissan Sentra | 2025 Sentra | 34 | $1,850 | 262 |
| 10 | 2025 Nissan Kicks | 2025 Kicks Play | 33 | $1,900 | 268 |
| 11 | 2025 BMW 5 Series | 2025 530i Sedan | 31 | $2,500 | 135 |
| 11 | 2025 Chevrolet MalibuThis car | 2025 Malibu | 31 | $2,000 | 283 |
| 11 | 2025 Nissan Altima | 2025 Altima | 31 | $2,000 | 281 |
| 14 | 2025 Mazda 3 | 2025 3 5-Door 2WD (Automatic (S6)) | 30 | $2,100 | 294 |
| 14 | 2025 Subaru Legacy | 2025 Legacy AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) | 30 | $2,100 | 295 |
Pick a 2025 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2025 Malibu, 4-cyl 1.5 L: 28 mpg city, 36 highway, 31 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2025 Malibu version is $2,000 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Midsize Cars class for 2025, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Malibu costs $489 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Malibu costs $2,445 less to fuel than the 5 Series (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2025 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Malibu (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Malibu | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 BMW 5 Series | 2025 530i Sedan | 31 mpg | $2,500 | same figure | $500 more a year | - |
| 2025 Nissan Altima | 2025 Altima | 31 mpg | $2,000 | same figure | same | Compare |
| 2025 Mazda 3 | 2025 3 5-Door 2WD (Automatic (S6)) | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 1 lower | $100 more a year | - |
EPA test figures for 2025; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Malibu | 4-cyl 1.5 L | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-wheel | 28 | 36 | 31 | $2,000 | 283 | cheapest |
Tailpipe CO2: the 2025 Malibu puts out 283 grams per mile.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2025 Malibu: fuel economy score 6, greenhouse gas score 6.
Best combined figure of the Malibu gas version and hybrid each model year since 2016, set against the 2025 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid | Versions tested | Against 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 30 mpg | 46 mpg | 4 | 15 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2017 | 30 mpg | 46 mpg | 3 | 15 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2018 | 30 mpg | 46 mpg | 3 | 15 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2019 | 32 mpg | 46 mpg | 3 | 15 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2020 | 32 mpg | none | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2021 | 32 mpg | none | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2022 | 32 mpg | none | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2023 | 30 mpg | none | 1 | 1 mpg lower than 2025 | |
| 2024 | 31 mpg | none | 1 | same as 2025 | |
| 2025This page | 31 mpg | none | 1 | this page |
Compared with the 2024 model: 1 version was tested then and 1 now; the best figure went from 31 to 31 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Malibu, 4-cyl 1.5 L | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | no change |
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 12 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations.
12 complaints for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention | 5 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | |
| Power Train | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
1 of the 12 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 0 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
1 recall is on file for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2026.
Other 2025 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Malibu itself is at 31 mpg.
More Chevrolet models that have a 2025 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2025 Malibu with 31 mpg combined (28 city, 36 highway).
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu costs between $2,000 and $2,000 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu is 11th of 32 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2025 Toyota Prius at 57 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 29 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2025 BMW 5 Series at 31 mpg and the next one behind is the 2025 Nissan Altima at 31 mpg.
The 2024 model had 1 tested version and the 2025 model has 1. The best figure went from 31 to 31 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2025 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4.
12 complaints for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Back Over Prevention (5 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 1 recall for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.