Acura MDX (2013) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2016) Specs

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2013 Acura MDX and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2013	2016
Model	Acura MDX	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	3.7L V6 OHC-4v 300 hp@6300 270 lb-ft@4500	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@2000
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	108.3 in	111.4 in	-3.1 in
Length	191.6 in	193.8 in	-2.2 in
Width	78.5 in	73.0 in	5.5 in
Height	68.2 in	57.7 in	10.5 in
Curb Weight	4550 lb.	3388 lb.	1162 lb.
Fuel Capacity	21.0 gal.	13.0 gal.	8 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.2 in	39.1 in	0.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	61.6 in	58.5 in	3.1 in
Hip Room, Row 1	59.0 in	54.1 in	4.9 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.2 in	42.0 in	-0.8 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.6 in	37.5 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	61.5 in	57.1 in	4.4 in
Hip Room, Row 2	59.1 in	53.4 in	5.7 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.7 in	38.1 in	0.6 in
Headroom, Row 3	37.5 in	0.0 in	37.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	57.1 in	0.0 in	57.1 in
Hip Room, Row 3	42.0 in	0.0 in	42 in
Legroom, Row 3	29.1 in	0.0 in	29.1 in
Total Legroom	109 in (over 3 rows)	80.1 in (over 2 rows)	28.9 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	15.0 ft³	15.8 ft³	-0.8 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	42.9 ft³	15.8	27.1 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	83.5 ft³	15.8 ft³	67.7 ft³

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Acura MDX

2013 Acura MDX Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	That's it for the significant advantages of the new Acura MDX. Most things it does well, but not significantly better than the generally good segment averages. It's quick, but not thrillingly so. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and cushier than those in the Infiniti, but provide less lateral support than those in the smaller Acura RDX and are no match in comfort or support for those in a BMW X5, a Lexus RX, or the big buck Mercedes reviewed a few weeks ago. Ride quality, like the seats, is good but short of luxurious. With additional sound deadening and laminated front door glass, the 2014 MDX is quieter than the 2013, but this only brings it in line with the others. By the same token, there aren't many clear reasons to reject the 2014 MDX. The most obvious follows from its relatively compact size: though (as already mentioned) cargo volume is more than competitive, there's less room in the rearmost row than in the QX60. By sliding the second row up a couple of inches (it has a half-foot of travel), adults of middling size will fit back there. But with their butt low and knees high they won't be comfortable. The QX60 offers far more combined legroom based on the spec sheets, and a couple more inches in the real world. (The Acura's specs seem to under-represent reality for passengers even as they might over-represent it for cargo.) But the Infiniti's seats are flatter and less comfortable. The new Hyundai Santa Fe offers more legroom than the Infiniti, while Ford's large crossovers could be best of all for transporting up to seven adults--if still not as good as the typical minivan. see full Acura MDX review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Acura MDX

2013 Acura MDX Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 300-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The interior prioritizes appearance over actual utility; it's surprisingly cramped for such a large vehicle. For example, my Highlander is roughly the same size externally but seems downright cavernous on the inside in comparison. A rear passenger can fully stretch out in the Toyota. Not so in the Acura. see full Acura MDX review

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

2016 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

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