Model Year | 2015 | 2012 | |
Model | Acura MDX | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 OHC-4v 290 hp@6200 267 lb-ft@4500 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 111.0 in | 112.3 in | -1.3 in |
Length | 193.6 in | 191.8 in | 1.8 in |
Width | 77.2 in | 70.3 in | 6.9 in |
Height | 66.7 in | 57.1 in | 9.6 in |
Curb Weight | 4025 lb. | 3645 lb. | 380 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 19.5 gal. | 16.0 gal. | 3.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.1 in | 39.4 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 61.1 in | 55.9 in | 5.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 53.0 in | 4.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.4 in | 42.2 in | -0.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.3 in | 37.2 in | 1.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 59.1 in | 53.9 in | 5.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 57.8 in | 52.1 in | 5.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.6 in | 37.6 in | -1 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 35.6 in | 0.0 in | 35.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 54.7 in | 0.0 in | 54.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 40.6 in | 0.0 in | 40.6 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 28.1 in | 0.0 in | 28.1 in |
Total Legroom | 106.1 in (over 3 rows) | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | 26.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 14.8 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | -0.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 38.4 ft3 | 15.1 | 23.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 68.4 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | 53.3 ft3 |
2015 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 |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2015 Acura MDX.
2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | 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 |
2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Good legroom. Hip room is alittle tight in this year's Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2012 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 |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I'm 6'4" tall and 60 years old. I have a tough time getting in and out due to the low roof. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
drivers seat is hard on my back, no matter how much I adjust...seems to be missing some foam on left side bolster...taking into dealer for possible replacement of seat cushion soon see full Chevrolet Malibu review |