Chevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Passat
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2022 Volkswagen Passat
Overview
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LS Fleet | SE |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2022 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,700 (best) | $27,575 |
| Lowest listing price | $8,500 (best) | $8,520 |
| Median listing price | $18,815 | $15,493 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $23,831 | $18,500 (best) |
| For sale now | 39 (best) | 6 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| City MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 36 MPG | 36 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 163 hp | 174 hp (best) |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 206 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.7 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | — | 948 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,135 lbs (best) | 3,314 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 111 in (best) | 110.4 in |
| Length | 194.2 in (best) | 193.6 in |
| Width | 73 in (best) | 72.6 in |
| Height | 57.9 in | 58.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Chevrolet MalibuLS Fleet | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LS Fleet $24,700 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $27,575 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LS $25,800 MSRP | R-Line $29,575 MSRP |
| 3 | RS $26,800 MSRP | Limited Edition $30,575 MSRP |
| 4 | 1LT $28,100 MSRP | — |
| 5 | 2LT $31,500 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Chevrolet Malibu39 for sale
See all
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
1LT
Sterling Grey Metallic•Jet Black31,003 mi$20,597Northwest Motor Group
Pasco, WA
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
1LT
Summit White•Jet Black34,941 mi$20,999Northwest Motor Group
Pasco, WA
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Sterling Gray Metallic•Jet Black53,171 mi$18,288Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2025 Chevrolet Malibu
RS
Sterling Gray Metallic•Black30,764 mi$23,831Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Sterling Gray Metallic•Black57,393 mi$18,674Honda of Lake City
Lake City, FL
Used2024 Chevrolet Malibu
LT
Gray•Black57,000 mi$19,796Nissan of Orange Park
Jacksonville, FL
Volkswagen Passat6 for sale
See all
Used2020 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black80,468 mi$15,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
V6 SEL Premium
DEEP BLACK PEARL•Titan Black99,428 mi$14,998Mazda Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2013 Volkswagen Passat
TDI SEL Premium
Candy White•Titan Black151,519 mi$8,520McCarthy Hyundai Blue Springs
Blue Springs, MO
Used2015 Volkswagen Passat
2.0L TDI SE w/Sunroof & Nav
119,018 mi$9,999INFINITI Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2021 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Pure White•Titan Black69,648 mi$18,500Barry's Chevrolet
West Union, OH
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
1.8T SEL Premium Turbocharged Power, Leather Seats, Sunroof!
Deep Black Pearl•Cornsilk Beige102,839 mi$15,988Auto Warehouse
Fort Collins, CO
Chevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Passat FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu starts lower at $24,700. Live Chevrolet Malibu listings start at $8,500. Live Volkswagen Passat listings start at $8,520.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (24,700).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (31).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2022 Volkswagen Passat leads on horsepower in this comparison (174).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Chevrolet Malibu (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Passat (4/5 NHTSA overall).