Model Year | 2013 | 2014 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | BMW 3-Series | |
Engine | 2.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 182 hp@6700 172 lb-ft@4900 |
turbocharged 3.0L I6 Hybrid DOHC-4v 335 hp@5800 330 lb-ft@1200 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 110.6 in | -2.8 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 182.5 in | 9 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 71.3 in | 1.7 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 56.3 in | 1.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3589 lb. | 3910 lb. | -321 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 15.8 gal. | 2.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 40.3 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 55.1 in | 2.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 0.0 in | 55 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 42.0 in | 0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 37.7 in | -0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 55.1 in | 2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 0.0 in | 54.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 35.1 in | 1.7 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 77.1 in (over 2 rows) | 1.8 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 13.0 ft3 | 3.3 ft3 |
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 |
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.