Model Year | 2009 | 2015 | |
Model | Hyundai Sonata | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | 3.3L V6 DOHC-4v 249 hp@6000 229 lb-ft@4500 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.4 in | 107.8 in | -0.4 in |
Length | 188.9 in | 191.5 in | -2.6 in |
Width | 72.1 in | 73.0 in | -0.9 in |
Height | 58.0 in | 57.6 in | 0.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3494 lb. | 3635 lb. | -141 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 17.7 gal. | 18.5 gal. | -0.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.1 in | 39.0 in | 1.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.4 in | 57.5 in | -0.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.5 in | 55.0 in | 0.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.7 in | 42.1 in | 1.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.2 in | 37.5 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.9 in | 57.1 in | -0.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 55.3 in | 54.3 in | 1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.4 in | 36.8 in | 0.6 in |
Total Legroom | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 2.2 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 0 ft3 |
2009 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 249-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Very Roomy interior. Ample Hip, Shoulder, and leg room see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 249-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Plenty of Room for larger Adults while still being comfortable. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Big enough for three car seats. Qualifies as a "large car". Only it and the Accord do in this class. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Front seat is very comfortable. up/down movement works well. Front back movement mechanics work well. Seat comfortable for long trips but not too long. Seat is a good hard to soft feel. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
spacious rear seat. This is a large sedan. Rear head room is plenty. nice seat placement with body form. Head rests not too far back. Rests adjust well. Middle seat becomes a cup holder/arm rest for two. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 249-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Rear room is great even if front seats all the way back. Also has wonderful cup holder and fold down arm tray. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
plenty of room for 6 foot tall man see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
love the heated front seats see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2009 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Rear seat legroom and headroom are good. Daughters complain that the seating position is too upright. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 249-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
it looks like other manufacturers have bigger seats in this class see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | Chevrolet's designers styled the new Malibu's instrument panel to appear low and out of the way, such that the front seat feels especially roomy and the view forward seems more open than in most competitors, including the Kia (the instrument panel in which seems significantly higher and more imposing). In the tested car, which had every option except the panoramic sunroof, headroom was so abundant I could have worn a fedora. The Kia Optima might have as much front headroom when similarly without a sunroof. The official specs, which often don't reflect real world differences, suggest it should have even more than the Malibu. But you cannot get a highly equipped Optima without the sunroof, as it's part of a large package on the SX and standard on the SX Limited. Though the Malibu's windshield is relatively large, you won't find outward visibility among the reasons to buy one. The Chevrolet's front pillars remain on the thick side, its instrument panel is considerably deeper than the Kia's, and the view to the sides and rear also could be more open. In the Optima, the view to the sides is more open but that to the rear is not. I did find the Cherolet's front seats more form-fitting and comfortable than the Optima's. The Kia's quilted seats aren't as cushy as they appear. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2015 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 |