Feeling pressured to go electric? Top automakers have been rushing to transfer over to electrified vehicles to feed into the latest craze, all the while forgetting about the huge part of their demographic that's not ready to let go of traditional and reliable gas-powered vehicles. We're here to figure out whether or not you need to let go of the past by comparing the gas-powered 2025 Chevy Malibu and the 2025 Toyota Camry which has forgone its gas platform for a full hybrid transformation. Find reliable sedans near you when you visit Chevrolet of Wooster in Ohio.

2025 Chevy Malibu vs 2025 Toyota Camry

Chevrolet knows their demographic, like the dedicated drivers who aren't ready to embrace electrified driving and just need a reliable ride at a low price. Meanwhile, loyal fans of the Camry are being forced to adopt hybrids whether they like it or not. The new 2025 Chevy Malibu continues to be a low-cost option for Akron drivers in the gas-powered sedan market which is, surprisingly, becoming more rare by the year.

Performance

The Malibu has always been a reliable sedan and that hasn't changed. The latest 2025 Chevy Malibu delivers a capable 163 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque on a 1.5L turbocharged engine with direct injection and stop/start technology. Even without the help of electrified assistance, the 2025 Malibu gets a higher-than-average 36 highway miles per gallon. Making up the rest of this purely gas-powered drivetrain is a CVT system, a MacPherson strut front suspension system, and a 4-link rear suspension system for a sedan that's well above average.

The 2025 Toyota Camry offers 184 horsepower but calls on the help of a costly electrified platform to do it. Will a 19-HP gap make a difference in your daily driving experience? Most likely not. The Camry's new hybrid system grants 46 MPG, but you need to factor in the payback period for your return on investment (ROI) and if you'll be able to avoid the cost of expensive electric-related repairs by then. The Malibu offers a direct benefit without the need for an upfront investment and the promise of savings over time.

Safety Features

Keeping with the theme of reliability, the new 2025 Chevy Malibu offers a wide spread of standard safety and driver-assist features with Chevy Safety Assist without needing to upgrade to a higher trim. If you plan on taking advantage of the Malibu's low MSRP in Wooster by using the savings to get an upgrade, available safety features you can add to your ride include Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert for increased awareness when backing out of parking spots or changing lanes on the road.

Standard safety and driver-assist features in the 2025 Chevy Malibu include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Alert
• Following Distance Indicator
• IntelliBeam® High Beam Assist
• Rear Park Assist
• Teen Driver Technology

Much of what's offered in the 2025 Toyota Camry isn't exactly new or groundbreaking compared to other hybrids. Parking assist, a 360-camera, and BLIS are all just part of the job. The new Camry comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 which is just your basic suite of essential safety and driver-assist features.

Interior

The 2025 Malibu comes with just what you need plus enticing upgrades to consider for a driving experience in Wooster that borders the line of luxury. This is exactly what an affordable sedan should be like, catering to drivers who simply want the low-cost option and those who wish to treat themselves to a little extra only if they want to. 15.7 cubic feet of cargo, an acoustic-laminated windshield, and an 8-inch infotainment center set the foundation of the Malibu's convenient build. Ample upgrades include heated and power-adjustable seats, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a 9-speaker Bose audio system.

We expected more to come standard in the pricier 2025 Toyota Camry. After all, electrified platforms like hybrids are usually a little more tech-heavy than their gas-powered counterparts. That doesn't seem to be the case in the recently transformed Camry, offering only a dual-zone climate control system and wireless smartphone connectivity standard. Like the Malibu, you will still need to pay extra for heated seats and a premium audio system.

Bottom Line

Considering that you'd be paying more for the hybrid platform in the 2025 Toyota Camry, it doesn't offer as much to make up for the price. The 2025 Chevy Malibu rewards you for sticking with traditional gas-powered performance by offering ample power, mileage, and interior features. In a world where you can easily feel left out for not going electric, the Malibu is a safe haven for those in Wooster who wish to hang onto gas engines just a little while longer.

Take the 2025 Chevy Malibu for a Test Drive!

Go ahead and stay true to your gut by going with the gas-powered 2025 Chevy Malibu at Chevrolet of Wooster in Ohio. Find new Chevy sedans near you when you visit our lot for a test drive.