Model Year | 2009 | 2013 | |
Model | BMW 5-Series | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 113.7 in | 107.8 in | 5.9 in |
Length | 191.1 in | 191.5 in | -0.4 in |
Width | 72.7 in | 73.0 in | -0.3 in |
Height | 57.8 in | 57.6 in | 0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3505 lb. | 3393 lb. | 112 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 18.5 gal. | 0 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 37.7 in | 39.0 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.3 in | 57.5 in | -0.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.5 in | 42.1 in | -0.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.9 in | 37.5 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.2 in | 57.1 in | 0.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 54.3 in | -54.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.0 in | 36.8 in | -0.8 in |
Total Legroom | 77.5 in (over 2 rows) | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | -1.4 in |
Cargo Volume | 14.0 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | -2.3 ft3 |
2009 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
All I need. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The sport seats offer exceptional levels of adjustment. I especially like the extendable leg support and the tilt of the upper back. The lumbar in the sport seats adjusts in up and down as well. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The comfort seat option is to die for. There is NO production automobile mfg that produces a seat that comfortable. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
At 6-foot-6, I have enough legroom. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Twenty-way adjustable seat. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2009 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
People 5 foot 3 and above cannot sit comfortably in the back seat on long trips. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Almost limo sized with very comfortable shaping. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 360-horsepower 4.8L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A little tight in the rear, but it is a mid-size sedan. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2013 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 |
2013 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 |
2013 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 |