Model Year | 2014 | 2012 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | BMW X3 | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 3.0L I6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@5800 300 lb-ft@1200 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 110.6 in | -2.8 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 183.0 in | 8.5 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 74.1 in | -1.1 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 65.4 in | -7.8 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 4222 lb. | -587 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 17.7 gal. | 0.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 40.7 in | -1.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 57.3 in | 0.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 0.0 in | 55 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 39.9 in | 2.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 39.1 in | -1.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 56.0 in | 1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 0.0 in | 54.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 36.8 in | 0 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 2.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 27.6 ft3 | -11.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 63.3 ft3 | -47 ft3 |
2014 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
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 |
2014 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 |
2014 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 BMW X3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | Thanks partly to power-adjustable side bolsters, the X3's optional sport seats are both supportive and comfortable. They're firm where you want them to be firm, yet (unlike those in the Audi and Mercedes-Benz) cushy where you want them to be cushy. The Volvo XC60's seats are also very comfortable, but can't quite match the BMW's lateral support. You sit substantially higher than in a BMW sedan, both relative to the ground and to the instrument panel. The windshield is more distant than in the original X3, making the current one seem considerably larger, but it remains more upright than in most recently designed crossovers. The forward visibility many people buy a crossover to get can be gotten here. Rear seat legroom increased by an inch with the 2011 redesign, and is now competitive. A couple of adults will fit, so there's no compelling functional reason to step up to the X5 unless you require tall people to be comfortable back there. see full BMW X3 review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2012 BMW X3.