Buick Enclave (2012) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2016) Specs

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2012 Buick Enclave and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2012	2016
Model	Buick Enclave	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 288 hp@6300 270 lb-ft@3400	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@2000
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	3,020 mm	2,830 mm	1 mm
Length	5,126 mm	4,923 mm	1 mm
Width	2,007 mm	1,854 mm	1 mm
Height	1,834 mm	1,466 mm	0 mm
Curb Weight	2,168 kg	1,537 kg	1 kg
Fuel Capacity	83 L	49 L	34 L
Headroom, Row 1	1,026 mm	993 mm	-992 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 1	1,575 mm	1,486 mm	0 mm
Hip Room, Row 1	1,458 mm	1,374 mm	0 mm
Legroom, Row 1	1,049 mm	1,067 mm	0 mm
Headroom, Row 2	991 mm	953 mm	38 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 2	1,560 mm	1,450 mm	0 mm
Hip Room, Row 2	1,448 mm	1,356 mm	0 mm
Legroom, Row 2	937 mm	968 mm	-31 mm
Headroom, Row 3	945 mm	0 mm	945 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 3	1,458 mm	0 mm	1 mm
Hip Room, Row 3	1,227 mm	0 mm	1 mm
Legroom, Row 3	843 mm	0 mm	843 mm
Total Legroom	2,830 mm (over 3 rows)	2,035 mm (over 2 rows)	0 mm
Cargo Volume, Minimum	535 L	447 L	88 L
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	1,911 L	15.8	-14.8 L
Cargo Volume, Maximum	3,290 L	15.8	-12.8 L

2012 Buick Enclave Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 288-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Very comfortable seats for long trips. Lots of adjustment see full Buick Enclave review

2012 Buick Enclave Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	0	The headrests on the two front seats are a NIGHTMARE! I had to recline my driver's seat slightly because the headrest pushes my head and neck so far forward, it was causing me to have pain and spasms in my neck and shoulders! I don't know who signed of on this design, but they were clearly asleep that day! I've heard this issue has been addressed in newer models and (I think) there is a newer option for which you can swap out these awful headrests. I may look into that... see full Buick Enclave review

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

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.

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