Model Year | 2014 | 2018 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Ford Flex | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 365 hp@5500 350 lb-ft@3500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 117.9 in | -10.1 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 201.8 in | -10.3 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 75.9 in | -2.9 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 68.0 in | -10.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 4839 lb. | -1204 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 19.2 gal. | -0.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 41.8 in | -2.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 58.4 in | -0.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 55.5 in | -0.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 40.8 in | 1.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 40.5 in | -3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 58.1 in | -1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 55.0 in | -0.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 44.3 in | -7.5 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 38.7 in | -38.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 50.8 in | -50.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 41.1 in | -41.1 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 33.3 in | -33.3 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 118.4 in (over 3 rows) | -39.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 20.0 ft3 | -3.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 16.3 | 43.2 ft3 | -26.9 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 83.2 ft3 | -66.9 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 |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2018 Ford Flex.