Chevrolet Malibu Trunk Space — 16 cu ft and What Fits

Quick answer

Among 178 sedans and coupes with a similar-sized cabin, the average is 14.9 cu ft, so the Malibu sits above it.

What actually fits in a Malibu

The biggest single change came in 2016: −3 cu ft against the 2015 car.

FIG.01·Chevrolet Malibu — what fits in the trunk
What you are loading	How many fit	Each item
Checked suitcases	2	27 × 21 × 14″ — 4.6 cu ft
Carry-on cases	8	22 × 14 × 9″ — 1.6 cu ft
Grocery bags	12	about 1 cu ft each
Golf bags	2	full set, about 5 cu ft
Folded stroller	Fits	about 6 cu ft

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA cargo volume

Cabin or cargo — where the space went

FIG.02·Chevrolet Malibu — cabin versus cargo
Space	Volume	Share of total
Passenger cabin	106 cu ft	86.9%
Cargo area	16 cu ft	13.1%
Total interior	122 cu ft	100%

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA interior volume

Against cars with a similar cabin

FIG.03·Chevrolet Malibu against similar cars
Measure	This car	178 sedans and coupes with a similar cabin	Difference
Cargo volume	16 cu ft	14.9 cu ft	+1.1 cu ft
In checked suitcases	2	2	+0

ROWS 2·SOURCE ForCar, computed across cars of similar cabin size

Cars with the same room

Against its closest rivals: the Toyota Camry has 15 cu ft, the Honda Accord 17 cu ft and the Hyundai Elantra 14 cu ft, next to 16 cu ft for the Malibu.

FIG.04·Chevrolet Malibu — cars with the same cargo room
Car	Trunk volume	vs Chevrolet Malibu	Checked suitcases	Measured
Mercedes-Benz 300	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2023
Toyota Avalon	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2022
Kia Cadenza	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2020
Honda Clarity	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2021
Ford Fusion	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2020
Kia K5	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2026

ROWS 6·SOURCE EPA interior volume + ForCar

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Everything on the Chevrolet Malibu

Recalls140 campaigns Fuel economy46 mpg best Reliability4.5/5 Common problems21,178 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Used prices5,508 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car1981–2026

Frequently asked questions

How much cargo space does the Chevrolet Malibu have?

16 cu ft in the trunk in the 2025 model, with 106 cu ft of passenger space. The average for 178 sedans and coupes with a similar cabin is 14.9 cu ft.

Does the Malibu have more cargo space than the Toyota Camry?

Yes: 16 cu ft against 15 cu ft for the 2026 Toyota Camry, about 1 cu ft more.

Has the Malibu's trunk got bigger over the years?

Not much overall: 16 cu ft in 1997 and 16 cu ft in 2025, though it ranged from 13 to 16 cu ft in between.

Which cars have the same cargo room as the Malibu?

The closest by volume in the same body family are the Mercedes-Benz 300 (16 cu ft), Toyota Avalon (16 cu ft) and Kia Cadenza (16 cu ft), against 16 cu ft for the Malibu.

Cargo and passenger volumes from EPA interior-volume records, measured 2025 for the Chevrolet Malibu, seats up. Luggage capacity computed by ForCar at 80% usable volume against airline-standard case sizes (how we count). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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