Chevrolet Malibu (2009) vs. BMW 3-Series (2014) Specs

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2009 Chevrolet Malibu and 2014 BMW 3-Series Specifications

Model Year	2009	2014
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	BMW 3-Series
Engine	2.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 164 hp@6400 159 lb-ft@5000	turbocharged 3.0L I6 Hybrid DOHC-4v 335 hp@5800 330 lb-ft@1200
Transmission	4-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	RWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	112.3 in	110.6 in	1.7 in
Length	191.8 in	182.5 in	9.3 in
Width	70.3 in	71.3 in	-1 in
Height	57.1 in	56.3 in	0.8 in
Curb Weight	3550 lb.	3910 lb.	-360 lb.
Fuel Capacity	16.0 gal.	15.8 gal.	0.2 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.4 in	40.3 in	-0.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.9 in	55.1 in	0.8 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.0 in	0.0 in	53 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.2 in	42.0 in	0.2 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.2 in	37.7 in	-0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	53.9 in	55.1 in	-1.2 in
Hip Room, Row 2	52.1 in	0.0 in	52.1 in
Legroom, Row 2	37.6 in	35.1 in	2.5 in
Total Legroom	79.8 in (over 2 rows)	77.1 in (over 2 rows)	2.7 in
Cargo Volume	15.1 ft³	13.0 ft³	2.1 ft³

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	The rear legroom and seat comfort are suitable for two adults on extended trips. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	during a six hour drive felt no fatigue see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	The Malibu seats have the comfort of a Lexus and the supportive nature of an Accord. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	After driving this car for a half hour, my back was in pain. How absolutely useless on a roadtrip. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	The front passenger seat is like sitting in a hole. It can be difficult to get out of. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008	4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I tried the LS cloth, LT2 Ultralux, and LTZ leather seats...all of them were uncomfortable. Too little padding. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008	4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I like the seating for the front seats. it fits me very good. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2014 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2014	The BMW 3-Series used to be tight inside, but it has grown with each redesign, especially the most recent one. The rear seat of the current sedan isn't nearly as roomy as that in the related 3-Series Gran Turismo hatchback. But it offers considerably more rear legroom than direct competitors like the Audi A4, Cadillac ATS, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In fact, combined front and rear legroom is the same as in the one size-class up, ten-inch-longer Mercedes E-Class. (You do get a half-inch more rear headroom and nearly two inches more rear shoulder room in the Benz.) Beyond the specs, the BMW's rear seat is comfortably high off the floor, a rarity in the age of sedans with plunging coupe-like roof lines. see full BMW 3-Series review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 BMW 3-Series.

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