Model Year | 2015 | 2014 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | GMC Terrain | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 301 hp@6500 272 lb-ft@4800 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 112.5 in | -4.7 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 185.3 in | 6.2 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 72.8 in | 0.2 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 66.3 in | -8.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 4032 lb. | -397 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 18.8 gal. | -0.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 39.8 in | -0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 55.7 in | 1.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 55.1 in | -0.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 41.2 in | 0.9 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 39.2 in | -1.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 55.3 in | 1.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 51.3 in | 3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 39.9 in | -3.1 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | -2.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 31.6 ft3 | -15.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 63.9 ft3 | -47.6 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 |
2014 GMC Terrain Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The GMC Terrain's long wheelbase also pays off with noticeably more rear seat leg room than in competitors. In fact, there's a little more combined legroom in the first two rows than in the far larger Yukon XL, and a few more inches than in the larger Acadia. Sound like enough space to fit a third row? Perhaps, but GM opted not to offer one. The Terrain is thoroughly compact in width. The larger GMCs remain much better options for transporting three adults in the back seat. They're also better for carrying cargo. The Terrain's cargo floor is long, but its also high and narrow, and the second-row seats don't fold flat. see full GMC Terrain review |
2014 GMC Terrain Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2015 | 4dr SUV 301-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The rear seat room is plentiful, and because rear seat can be slid forward and back, you can shift between needing more leg room and using more of the cargo area. We had traded in a 2015 Dodge Journey for the Terrain, because of safety concerns, but realized after we had it for awhile, the rear seat of the Journey was not able to go back far enough into the cargo area, and because of the bulky and high mounted head rests, you felt trapped. The Terrain does not have these issues and feels much more roomy and comfortable. The rear seats are supportive and not at all like some back seats that feel like they were an afterthought. see full GMC Terrain review |