Model Year | 2012 | 2013 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Chevrolet Sonic | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,852 mm | 2,525 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,872 mm | 4,397 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,786 mm | 1,735 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,450 mm | 1,516 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,549 kg | 1,237 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 61 L | 46 L | 15 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,001 mm | 983 mm | -982 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,420 mm | 1,356 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,346 mm | 1,306 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,072 mm | 1,062 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 945 mm | 960 mm | -15 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,369 mm | 1,346 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,323 mm | 1,311 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 955 mm | 879 mm | 76 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,027 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,941 mm (over 2 rows) | 1 mm |
Cargo Volume | 428 L | 422 L | 6 L |
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 |
2013 Chevrolet Sonic Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
For a little car, the front seat room is very nice for the average person. see full Chevrolet Sonic review |
2013 Chevrolet Sonic Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The front seating position is cramped, but even worse is the footroom !!!! I have the 6 speed manual transmission and the clutch pedal feels like it was an afterthought. The wheel well intrudest so much that is difficult to engage the clutch without my foot being moved inward due to the lack of room. I have a mens 9 shoe so it is not because I have huge feet. My leg hits the center console while using the gas pedalso far to the right. IT IS SO BAD I TOOK THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE AT THE GAS PEDAL OFF TO HAVE MORE ROOM !!! I have a friend in England he told me it was not as much of a problem due to the placenet of the pedals in the right hand drive models. It also makes sense this car sells more in right hand driving counties, the radio control are on the right hand side of the steering wheel. This is a stupid position considering having to change gears with the right hand. I am not a small guy, but I am not huge. I am 240 at 5"9'. with a passenger of similar size I feel very cramped. I had a buddy with me, He is a mountain of a man at 6'3" and having very broad shoulders like my self. It was a scream! We were smashed together. I had to work hard to change gears. The car is about 3" to narrow. I previously owned a Nissan Versa. It was considered a narrow car but we never had this problem. It was so cramped if it was a much longer ride, I would have had him get in the back seat. CRAMPED IN THE FRONT TO THE EXTREME DEGREE !!!!!!!! see full Chevrolet Sonic review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 138hp 1.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
THE SEATS ARE LIKE MIDIEVAL TORTURE DEVICES !!! I am not a huge guy. I have am 5'9" tall with a 40" waist. I have a wide stance. I did take a long test drive in this car. I noticed that the seats were not terribly comfortable but I had run into that with several cars. The seats got better as the broke in. THESE GOT WORSE !!!! It got so bad that I had themreupholstered!!!!! It helped very little !!!! They are too narrow, overbolstered....poorly padded....no lumbar support...the armrest is usless (it sits too low and angled down)....If i could trade it in tomorrow it would be gone. I drive 4 hours a week at a mininimum to school round trip. the next day I am sore. I am going in for time 2 to see if I can FIX the seat comfort.....ARGG see full Chevrolet Sonic review |