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Complete configuration comparison

2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs. 2025 Subaru Legacy

Car Chomper says the most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy is the $2,110 difference in MSRP, with the Malibu starting at $24,700 versus the Legacy's $26,810, while the Legacy generates 182 horsepower, outclassing the Malibu's 163 hp, though the Malibu compensates with a higher torque figure of 184 lb-ft versus the Legacy's 176 lb-ft and a narrow fuel-economy edge at 31 combined mpg versus the Legacy's 30, naming the Malibu best for commuters, families, and value, and the Legacy best for enthusiasts thanks to its higher horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. Gordon Chevrolet reports that Chevrolet officially discontinued the Malibu in November 2024, ending the run of its last gasoline-powered sedan, with 2025 as the Malibu's final model year as Chevy shifts focus to SUVs, trucks, and electric vehicles amid sedan sales dropping sharply across the U.S. and pressure from rivals like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

Which to choose, and why

Car Chomper says the most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy is the $2,110 difference in MSRP, with the Malibu starting at $24,700 versus the Legacy's $26,810, while the Legacy generates 182 horsepower, outclassing the Malibu's 163 hp, though the Malibu compensates with a higher torque figure of 184 lb-ft versus the Legacy's 176 lb-ft and a narrow fuel-economy edge at 31 combined mpg versus the Legacy's 30, naming the Malibu best for commuters, families, and value, and the Legacy best for enthusiasts thanks to its higher horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. Gordon Chevrolet reports that Chevrolet officially discontinued the Malibu in November 2024, ending the run of its last gasoline-powered sedan, with 2025 as the Malibu's final model year as Chevy shifts focus to SUVs, trucks, and electric vehicles amid sedan sales dropping sharply across the U.S. and pressure from rivals like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

$2,110 cheaper, slightly thriftier

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy is the $2,110 difference in MSRP, with the Malibu starting at $24,700 versus the Legacy's $26,810, while the Malibu also edges the Legacy on fuel economy at 31 combined mpg versus 30.

The Legacy has more power and standard AWD

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Legacy generates 182 horsepower, outclassing the Malibu's 163 hp, though the Malibu compensates with a higher torque figure of 184 lb-ft versus the Legacy's 176 lb-ft, naming the Legacy best for enthusiasts thanks to its higher output and standard all-wheel drive.

2025 is the Malibu's final model year

Gordon Chevrolet (opens in a new tab) reports that Chevrolet officially discontinued the Malibu in November 2024, ending the run of its last gasoline-powered sedan, with 2025 as its final model year as Chevy shifts focus to SUVs, trucks, and electric vehicles amid sedan sales dropping sharply across the U.S.

Questions buyers ask

Is the Chevrolet Malibu discontinued?

Gordon Chevrolet (opens in a new tab) says yes, Chevrolet discontinued it in November 2024, making 2025 its final model year.

Which has more horsepower, the Chevrolet Malibu or Subaru Legacy?

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Legacy, at 182 hp versus the Malibu's 163 hp.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Chevrolet Malibu: 1 records · Subaru Legacy: 2 records.
Decision fieldChevrolet MalibuSubaru Legacy
Exact EPA records12
Model / option labels11
Drive layoutsFront-Wheel DriveAll-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion1.5L 4-cyl SIDI2.4L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI
TransmissionsAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Automatic (AV-S8)
Fuel typesRegularRegular
EPA classesMidsize CarsMidsize Cars
Combined efficiency31 MPG/MPGe26–30 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listedNot listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate$2100 per year$2150–2500 per year

Head to head

Chevrolet Malibu vs. Subaru Legacy: size, power, capability and price.

MeasureChevrolet MalibuSubaru Legacy
Starting price (KBB base)$26,995$27,980
Top trim price (KBB base)$32,695$41,280
Horsepower163 hp182-260 hp
Torque184 lb-ft176-277 lb-ft
Curb weightn/a3,492-3,787 lb
Length194.2 in191.1 in
Wheelbase111 in108.3 in
Cargo volume15.7 cu ft15.1 cu ft
Seating5 seats5 seats
Basic warranty3 years3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2025 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Chevrolet Malibu and the Subaru Legacy.

2025 Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet from 1964 to 1983 and from 1997 to 2025. The Malibu began as a trim-level of the Chevrolet Chevelle before becoming its own model line in 1978. Originally a rear-wheel-drive intermediate, General Motors revived the Malibu nameplate as a front-wheel-drive car in 1997.

Source: Chevrolet Malibu (Wikipedia)

Engines. The Chevrolet Malibu Cruiser concept was built by GM Performance Division for the SEMA show in 2001.

Safety. The Malibu was extensively redesigned and reengineered for the 2008 model year, with styling by Bryan Nesbitt. GM vice chairman Robert Lutz was determined to make the nameplate competitive with Japanese mid-size cars. Trim levels were LS, LT, Hybrid (2008 and 2009 only), and LTZ.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)

  • April 2026, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image. Consequence: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • August 2024, Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard… Consequence: The wrong owner's manual may contain inaccurate information about vehicle functions and other safety relevant information, which could lead to improper operation of the vehicle and increase the risk of…
  • December 2022, Structure:Frame And Members. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to the front frame rail. Consequence: An improperly welded front impact bar may result in the front crash sensors not performing correctly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about back over prevention (5), electrical system (4), unknown or other (4).

2025 Subaru Legacy

The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru from 1989 to 2025. The maker's flagship car, it is unique in its class for offering all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and Subaru's traditional boxer engine. In 1996, a variant of the Legacy with heightened suspension called the Legacy Outback was introduced to compete in the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle class, and proved to be a sales success for Subaru.

Source: Subaru Legacy (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Subaru Legacy overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

  • November 2023, Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch. Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • September 2023, Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft. Consequence: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Legacy, most often about engine (3), air bags (1), steering (1).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2025Chevrolet Malibu1 configurations →02 · 2025Subaru Legacy2 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

14 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2025 Subaru Legacy?
Efficiency

The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (31 vs. the 2025 Subaru Legacy's 28 MPG/MPGe).

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q02How large is the efficiency gap between the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy?
Efficiency

3 combined MPG/MPGe separates the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu from the 2025 Subaru Legacy at the midpoint, a relative difference of 10.7%.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q03Do the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and 2025 Subaru Legacy share any drive layout?
Drivetrain

No. The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu lists Front-Wheel Drive while the 2025 Subaru Legacy lists All-Wheel Drive: no drive designation appears on both current lineups.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q04Do the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and 2025 Subaru Legacy share an engine or propulsion description?
Powertrain

No. Their current engine or propulsion descriptions do not overlap. The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu lists 1.5L 4-cyl SIDI. The 2025 Subaru Legacy lists 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q05Do the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and 2025 Subaru Legacy share a transmission type?
Powertrain

No shared transmission description between the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy in this snapshot. 2025 Chevrolet Malibu: Automatic (variable gear ratios). 2025 Subaru Legacy: Automatic (AV-S8).

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q06Do the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and 2025 Subaru Legacy run on the same fuel type?
Fuel

Yes, entirely: the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy both run on Regular and nothing else in this snapshot.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q07Do the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and 2025 Subaru Legacy use comparable propulsion technology?
Electrification

Yes, at least partly: the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy are both categorized under Conventional in this snapshot.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q08Which is cheaper to run: the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2025 Subaru Legacy?
Ownership cost

The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu lists the lower annual-cost estimate midpoint than the 2025 Subaru Legacy ($2,100 vs. $2,325).

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q09What is the annual running-cost gap between the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy?
Ownership cost

$225 per year separates the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu from the 2025 Subaru Legacy at the midpoint under EPA's standardized assumptions.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q10Which lineup has more internal efficiency variation: the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2025 Subaru Legacy?
Fuel economy

The 2025 Subaru Legacy spans a wider combined-MPG range across its own current configurations than the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu does (4 points vs. 0).

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q11Are the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy in the same EPA size class?
Dimensions

Yes: both the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2025 Subaru Legacy are certified only as Midsize Cars, so their efficiency figures are compared inside the same class boundary EPA uses.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q12Which offers more certified configurations, the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2025 Subaru Legacy?
Choosing a configuration

The 2025 Subaru Legacy, with 2 certification records against the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu's 1.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q13Which has more owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2025 Subaru Legacy?
Safety record

NHTSA holds 11 complaints for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu and 6 for the 2025 Subaru Legacy. Those that report a crash, a fire or an injury: 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries for the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu; 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury for the 2025 Subaru Legacy.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Q14Which has more cargo volume, the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or the 2025 Subaru Legacy?
Cargo

The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu, at a 16 cubic-foot midpoint against the other's 15.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table

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