Chevrolet Malibu (2015) vs. Ford Fusion (2012) Specs

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2015 Chevrolet Malibu and 2012 Ford Fusion Specifications

Model Year	2015	2012
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Ford Fusion
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000	3.0L V6 DOHC-4v 240 hp@6550 223 lb-ft@4300
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	107.8 in	107.4 in	0.4 in
Length	191.5 in	190.6 in	0.9 in
Width	73.0 in	72.2 in	0.8 in
Height	57.6 in	56.9 in	0.7 in
Curb Weight	3635 lb.	3446 lb.	189 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	17.5 gal.	1 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.0 in	38.7 in	0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.5 in	57.4 in	0.1 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.0 in	54.0 in	1 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.1 in	42.3 in	-0.2 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.5 in	37.8 in	-0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	57.1 in	56.5 in	0.6 in
Hip Room, Row 2	54.3 in	53.3 in	1 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.8 in	37.1 in	-0.3 in
Total Legroom	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	79.4 in (over 2 rows)	-0.5 in
Cargo Volume	16.3 ft³	16.5 ft³	-0.2 ft³

2015 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

2015 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

2012 Ford Fusion Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The front bucket seats fit my slightly overweight torso very well, with large bolsters for lateral support, a form-fitting shape, and headrests that don't jut too far forward. The Titanium's seats are the best of the bunch, with a little more padding and a little more bolstering. The rear seat doesn't seem as roomy as the official legroom specs of 44.3 + 38.3 inches. In the back seat of a VW Passat (42.4+39.1 inches), my knees aren't nearly as close to the front seat backs. Though those present denied it, I continue to wonder if the specs have been cheated like those for the new Escape. Passengers over six feet in height will find rear headroom in even shorter supply. But if you fit, the high-mounted, large, and well-shaped cushion is the most comfortable rear seat in the segment. see full Ford Fusion review

2012 Ford Fusion Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	Being 6' 3" it can be hard to find a car where I have sufficient legroom & headroom. In the Fusion Hybrid there was lots of space, even with a sunroof. There are also padded surfaces where my left knee rests against the door and where my right leg rests against the center console. The Camry Hybrid was not comfortable. The doors are hard plastic and there was no soft place to rest my knee. The center console was also hard plastic. see full Ford Fusion review
2013	4dr Sedan turbocharged 178hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Tons of legroom and passengers pleased with the accommodations. see full Ford Fusion review
2011	4dr Sedan 240-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	The front seats are very comfortable, and provide very adequate support for long trips. Side support isn't the very best for hard cornering though. see full Ford Fusion review

2012 Ford Fusion Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	The door sills are very high which made it tough for me to get my size 13 shoes up and over when sitting behind a front seat that is all the way back. The door sills in the Camry were lower so while there was no more rear seat room than in the Fusion is was possible to get my feet out more easily. see full Ford Fusion review
2013	4dr Sedan 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD	You can see I'm really reaching here to find things that we didn't like about the Fusion Hybrid, but here's one more... There is a small step up in front of the front seats which made it hard to cross my legs like when traveling on road trips. see full Ford Fusion review
2013	4dr Sedan turbocharged 178hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	The driver's seat was atrocious to get set - took forever (three drives over 2 days) with a zillion directions to move the seat - more adjustments does not mean more comfortable!! see full Ford Fusion review

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