Model Year | 2014 | 2014 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Ford Focus | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 252 hp@5500 270 lb-ft@2700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 104.3 in | 3.5 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 178.5 in | 13 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 71.8 in | 1.2 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 57.7 in | -0.1 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 3210 lb. | 425 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 12.4 gal. | 6.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 38.3 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 55.6 in | 1.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 53.9 in | 1.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 41.9 in | 0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 38.0 in | -0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 53.7 in | 3.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 52.7 in | 1.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 33.2 in | 3.6 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 75.1 in (over 2 rows) | 3.8 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 13.2 ft3 | 3.1 ft3 |
2014 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
On paper, the Malibu's rear seat is only a little tighter than those in the 2008-2012 sedan and in competing cars. In person, rear knee room would only be marginally competitive in the compact sedan segment. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, my shins graze the front seatbacks. GM is rushing some revised seats to market. But if past attempts to fix a cramped rear seat are any indication, this won't make a substantial difference. The rear seat in the Ford Fusion is roomier, if also short of the segment's quasi-limos. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2014 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 196-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Both front & rear compartments very roomy & comfortable. Again, this is noted improvement over our 2009 Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2014 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This is tight if front seats are postioned at or close to the back of their range; shorter wheelbase in this model compared to prior version. Rear seat access is excellent (i.e, for infant car seats, small item transport). see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2014 Ford Focus Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | Like other recently designed Fords, the Focus has a tighter rear seat than most competitors. At 5-9, I can sit behind myself with perhaps an inch to spare. see full Ford Focus review |
2014 Ford Focus Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 103-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The front passenger seat is cramped, especially on long journeys. My wife is smaller, so its fine for her, but Im an average sized male, about 5'11" and my left knee always aches after a while. see full Ford Focus review |