Chevrolet
Malibu
Toyota
Mirai
Chevrolet Malibu vs Toyota Mirai: 2020 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Chevrolet Malibu comes out ahead of the Toyota Mirai on power. Check the specs table and owner sentiment below for the full comparison before deciding between the two. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Malibu
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and is heavily dependent on model year. The 2013 model year is universally panned, described as so poorly received that it required an emergency refresh for 2014 and was replaced by a new generation for 2016. The 2016+ generation (current) receives mixed to positive feedback, praised for being a quiet, comfortable highway cruiser with good fuel economy, modern features like Apple CarPlay, and representing strong value, especially when purchased used at a significant discount.
Best version to buy
2016+ Generation (specifically post-2013 refresh). Within this, the 2.0L turbo engine is mentioned as more robust and powerful, though the 1.5L turbo is more common.
Known issues
- ⚠Transmission failures: Hard shifting, slipping, or total failure reported around 100,000 miles in older generations (2010 cited); CVT transmission in newer models raises concerns about lifespan (75,000-90,000 miles mentioned).
- ⚠Engine problems: Timing chain wear (2010–2016) leading to potential catastrophic damage; oil consumption/loss; turbocharger failures on 1.5L/2.0L engines; vacuum pump explosions; faulty sensors causing poor fuel economy and rough idle.
- ⚠Electrical glitches: Includes "shift to park" errors draining battery (2016 cited), infotainment/Apple CarPlay connectivity issues, failure to start, key fob system resets, low-beam headlight failures due to corroded harnesses (2009–2012).…
Mirai
Overall
Extremely negative sentiment regarding ownership viability, dominated by severe infrastructure and cost-of-fuel criticisms. The vehicle is acknowledged as a technological showcase with a smooth, quiet driving experience and a drastic aesthetic improvement in the 2021+ redesign. However, the overwhelming consensus from owner discussions is that the Mirai is a compromised and impractical vehicle for nearly all buyers due to the cripplingly limited and unreliable hydrogen refueling infrastructure, exorbitant fuel costs after initial subsidies expire, and catastrophic depreciation.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to distinguish between trims or model years. The 2021+ second-generation model is noted for its "stunning" and "decent" redesign, a significant improvement over the widely criticized aesthetics of the first-generation (2015-2020) model.
Known issues
- ⚠Catastrophically limited and unreliable refueling infrastructure: stations are sparse, frequently out of service, or out of hydrogen for weeks, stranding owners.
- ⚠Prohibitively high hydrogen fuel cost: prices cited from $21/kg to over $30/kg, resulting in a fueling cost of approximately $75-$150 per tank and a cost per mile of $0.19-$0.50/km ($0.30-$0.80/mile), vastly exceeding gasoline and electric…
- ⚠Severe depreciation: used values are extremely low (e.g., $15k-$17k for a 2017-2018 model) due to the above factors and the expiration of fuel credits for second owners. Frequency: very frequent.
The verdict
The Chevrolet Malibu is the better choice for most buyers.
It has more power on its best-equipped version than the Toyota Mirai, based on the data above. If efficiency matters more to you than outright power, the Toyota Mirai is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Toyota Mirai?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Chevrolet Malibu and the Toyota Mirai. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Toyota Mirai?
Data on family-specific factors like cargo space is limited for one or both models, but based on available reports, both are positioned as practical daily drivers. Check the specs table above for seating and body type.
Which has better fuel economy, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Toyota Mirai?
Fuel consumption data is limited for one or both models. Check the specs table above for the figures available on each catalogued version.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Malibu or the Toyota Mirai?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.