Model Year | 2014 | 2014 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Ford Fiesta | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 197 hp@6000 202 lb-ft@2500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 98.0 in | 9.8 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 173.6 in | 17.9 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 67.8 in | 5.2 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 58.1 in | -0.5 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 2783 lb. | 852 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 12.4 gal. | 6.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 39.1 in | -0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 52.7 in | 4.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 50.6 in | 4.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 42.2 in | -0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 37.1 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 49.0 in | 8.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 49.2 in | 5.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 31.2 in | 5.6 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 73.4 in (over 2 rows) | 5.5 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 12.8 ft3 | 3.5 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 |
2014 Ford Fiesta Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Just as the Ford Fiesta has some clear strengths, it also has some clear weaknesses. Its rear seat, though comfortably positioned well off the floor, is the tightest in the segment. At 5-9, I can barely squeeze behind myself. The Fit's rear seat is far roomier. see full Ford Fiesta review |
2014 Ford Fiesta Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 120-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Narrow car with narrow seats. If you are a taller/bigger person, expect that the seats will feel like doll furniture after an hour. see full Ford Fiesta review |