Chevrolet Malibu (2016) vs. Buick Enclave (2017) Specs

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu and 2017 Buick Enclave Specifications

Model Year	2016	2017
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Buick Enclave
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@2000	3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 288 hp@6300 270 lb-ft@3400
Transmission	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	111.4 in	118.9 in	-7.5 in
Length	193.8 in	201.9 in	-8.1 in
Width	73.0 in	79.0 in	-6 in
Height	57.7 in	70.3 in	-12.6 in
Curb Weight	3388 lb.	4724 lb.	-1336 lb.
Fuel Capacity	13.0 gal.	22.0 gal.	-9 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.1 in	40.4 in	-1.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	58.5 in	61.6 in	-3.1 in
Hip Room, Row 1	54.1 in	57.2 in	-3.1 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.0 in	41.3 in	0.7 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.5 in	39.4 in	-1.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	57.1 in	61.3 in	-4.2 in
Hip Room, Row 2	53.4 in	57.0 in	-3.6 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.1 in	36.8 in	1.3 in
Headroom, Row 3	0.0 in	37.8 in	-37.8 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	0.0 in	57.4 in	-57.4 in
Hip Room, Row 3	0.0 in	48.3 in	-48.3 in
Legroom, Row 3	0.0 in	33.2 in	-33.2 in
Total Legroom	80.1 in (over 2 rows)	111.3 in (over 3 rows)	-31.2 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	15.8 ft³	23.3 ft³	-7.5 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	15.8	68.9 ft³	-53.1
Cargo Volume, Maximum	15.8 ft³	115.2 ft³	-99.4 ft³

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

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

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Buick Enclave

2017 Buick Enclave Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2018	Despite its size, the original Buick Enclave had a tighter, less comfortable second-row seat than many smaller crossovers. With the redesign this has been fixed. Second-row legroom has increased by a substantial three inches and--of at least equal significance--the seat cushions have been raised higher off the floor. Adults sitting in the second-row seats now enjoy a modicum of thigh support. But if you want to fit three people in the Enclave's second row, you can't. All Enclaves are fitted with captain's chairs. For an eight-passenger large crossover, check out the related Chevrolet Traverse. The Enclave's third-row seat isn't as roomy or as comfortable as its second-row seats, with both knee room and head room in shorter supply (the latter thanks to a bulge in the rearmost section of the headlinder). But if the second row is moved forward a couple of inches (also necessary for folding the third-row seat) then both rows offer plenty of legroom. It helps that there's plenty of space for toes beneath the second-row seats. Plus there's enough shoulder room for three people in the way-back, one more than in most three-row crossovers. Occupants of both the second and the third rows enjoy an open view forward thanks to stadium-style seating. Volvo's reputation for comfortable seats is based on the comfort of its cars' front seats. The Volvo's second-row seats are comfortably high off the floor, but they aren't as roomy as the those in the larger Buick. It's third-row seat is considerably tighter than that in the Buick, and can only hold two (optimally prepubescent) people. see full Buick Enclave review

2017 Buick Enclave Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	Similarly, while the Buick Enclave's front seats are comfortable, they're marginal for those in a nearly $60,000 vehicle. The Volvo XC90's front seats are available with a much larger number of adjustments and even without these look and feel much more posh than the Buick's. Some people might also find the Enclave's tall center console overly intrusive. I personally like the sporty vibe it brings to an otherwise unsporty vehicle. In general I like what Buick's designers tried to do inside the Enclave, with clean, flowing lines and a low-profile Audi-like instrument panel. There's just something missing in the execution--it's about 95 percent of the way there--and I can't quite put my finger on what the missing 5 percent is. It's in the details. see full Buick Enclave review

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