Model Year | 2016 | 2012 | |
Model | Chevrolet Cruze | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 112.3 in | -6 in |
Length | 183.7 in | 191.8 in | -8.1 in |
Width | 70.5 in | 70.3 in | 0.2 in |
Height | 57.4 in | 57.1 in | 0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 2835 lb. | 3415 lb. | -580 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.7 gal. | 16.0 gal. | -2.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.9 in | 39.4 in | -0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 55.9 in | -1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.2 in | 53.0 in | 0.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 42.2 in | -0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.3 in | 37.2 in | 0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.2 in | 53.9 in | -0.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 51.9 in | 52.1 in | -0.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.1 in | 37.6 in | -1.5 in |
Total Legroom | 78.1 in (over 2 rows) | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | -1.7 in |
Cargo Volume | 14.8 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | -0.3 ft3 |
2016 Chevrolet Cruze Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | The old Chevrolet Cruze, like the Ford Focus, had a rear seat on the tight side even by compact sedan standards. According to the specs, the new one has only gained a few tenths of legroom. But the improvement feels much larger. Chevrolet claims that rear knee room (not a standard spec) has increased by two inches, and this aligns much better with my perceptions. Some competitors, including the Honda Civic, continue to offer more rear seat space. But the new Cruze's back seat could be the most comfortable in the class for two average-sized men. With a position well above the floor, the rear seat cushion provides much better thigh support than the typical sedan, much less the typical compact sedan. The Civic has a lower rear cushion and insufficient foot space under its front seats, squandering its on-paper legroom advantage. Up front the Cruze has comfortable seats (though, like those in the Civic, without adjustable lumbar support) but shoulder room typical of a compact car. The Civic has two more inches of shoulder room and feels more like a midsize sedan in the front seat. Both cars have good driving positions with reasonably compact instrument panels. In L and LS trim, the new Cruze has a 14.9-cubic-foot trunk, nearly identical to that of the new Civic and about as large as you'll find in the class. But the LT and Premier have a compact spare tire that reduces cargo volume to 13.6 cubic feet. Still pretty good. Next year both cars will also be available as hatchbacks. see full Chevrolet Cruze review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze.
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 |