Chevrolet Malibu MPG — Gas Mileage by Engine and Year

Quick answer

Against 422 other 4-cyl cars rated 2023–2025, the Malibu beats their 26.5 mpg average by 4.5 mpg, about $210 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1997, the 1.8L 4-cyl Hybrid (2016–2019), does 46 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3.6L 6-cyl (2011–2012), 20: $1,085 a year apart.

Every Chevrolet Malibu engine, compared

Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.

FIG.01·Chevrolet Malibu gas mileage by engine
Engine	Combined	City / Highway	Years	Fuel per year
1.8L 4-cyl Hybrid	46	48.5 / 43.8	2016–2019	$835
1.5L 4-cyl	31	28 / 35.9	2016–2025	$1,239
2.5L 4-cyl	29	25 / 36	2014–2015	$1,324
2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid	28.3	25.3 / 33.3	2008–2010	$1,357
2.4L 4-cyl	25.3	21.4 / 31.6	1998–2013	$1,518
2.2L 4-cyl	24.8	21 / 30.8	2004–2007	$1,548
3.5L 6-cyl	22.9	19.3 / 29.1	2004–2010	$1,677
3.1L 6-cyl	21	17.7 / 26.3	1997–2003	$1,829
3.6L 6-cyl	20	17 / 25	2011–2012	$1,920

ROWS 9·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

What that actually costs

Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Camry gets 42.4 mpg, the Honda Accord 40 mpg and the Toyota Prius 55.8 mpg, next to 31 mpg for the 2025 Malibu. The Malibu costs the most of them to run: $551 a year more than the Toyota Prius.

FIG.02·Chevrolet Malibu fuel cost
Measure	Value
Cost per mile (2025)	$0.103
Fuel per year	$1,239
Fuel over five years	$6,195
Against other 4-cyl cars, 2023–2025	−$210 a year
EPA's own estimate	$2,391 a year

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA ratings

City or highway — who is this car for

The 2025 Chevrolet Malibu gives up 8 mpg in town: 36 on the highway against 28 in the city, $304 a year if every mile were city driving.

FIG.03·Chevrolet Malibu city versus highway
Measure	Value	Reading
City (2025)	28 mpg	$1,371 a year if you only drive in town
Highway	36 mpg	$1,067 a year if you mostly commute
Gap	+8 mpg (29%)	Typical for its type

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

How the Malibu changed over the years

The Malibu peaked in 2019 at 39 mpg (39 city, 39.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2003 at 21 — 18 mpg apart, or $844 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2025 car does 31. The biggest single-year change came in 2016: 29 to 38 mpg.

FIG.04·Chevrolet Malibu gas mileage by model year
Model year	Combined	City / Highway	Engines offered	Fuel per year
2025	31	28 / 36	1	$1,239
2024	31	28 / 36	1	$1,239
2023	30	27 / 35	1	$1,280
2022	32	29 / 36	1	$1,200
2021	32	29 / 36	1	$1,200
2020	32	29 / 36	1	$1,200
2019	39	39 / 39.5	2	$985
2018	38	38 / 39.5	2	$1,011
2017	38	38 / 39.5	2	$1,011
2016	38	37 / 41	2	$1,011
2015	29	25 / 36	1	$1,324
2014	29	25 / 36	1	$1,324
2013	29	25 / 36	1	$1,324
2012	23	19.5 / 28.5	2	$1,670
2011	23	19.5 / 28.5	2	$1,670
2010	26	22.3 / 32	3	$1,477
2009	26	22.3 / 32	3	$1,477
2008	24.7	21.3 / 31	3	$1,555
2007	24	20 / 30.5	2	$1,600
2006	23.5	20.5 / 29	2	$1,634
2005	24	20.5 / 30.5	2	$1,600
2004	24	20.5 / 30	2	$1,600
2003	21	18 / 26	1	$1,829
2002	21	18 / 26	1	$1,829
2001	21	18 / 26	1	$1,829
2000	22	18.5 / 27.5	2	$1,745
1999	22	18 / 27	2	$1,745
1998	22.5	18.5 / 28.5	2	$1,707
1997	21	18 / 26	1	$1,829

ROWS 29·SOURCE EPA fueleconomy.gov + ForCar

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How we count

This page rests on 48 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet Malibu — 9 engines across 1997–2025. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,391. Full method.

Everything on the Chevrolet Malibu

Recalls140 campaigns Reliability4.5/5 Common problems21,178 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Cargo space23 cu ft 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

What mpg does the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu get?

31 mpg combined, 28 city and 36 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1997 the Malibu has averaged 27.3 mpg.

Is the 2025 Malibu more efficient than the 2024?

About the same: 31 against 31 mpg combined.

Which Malibu year has the best gas mileage?

The 2019, at 39 mpg combined (39 city, 39.5 highway).

Does the Malibu get better gas mileage than the Toyota Camry?

No: 31 mpg for the 2025 Malibu against 42.4 for the 2026 Toyota Camry, about $333 a year more to run.

Gas mileage ratings from EPA fueleconomy.gov, unadjusted. Running cost computed by ForCar at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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