Model Year | 2014 | 2016 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Honda Civic | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 1.5L I4 DOHC-4v 174 hp@6000 162 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 106.3 in | 1.5 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 182.3 in | 9.2 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 70.8 in | 2.2 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 55.7 in | 1.9 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 2899 lb. | 736 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 12.4 gal. | 6.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 39.3 in | -0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 57.0 in | 0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 53.7 in | 1.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 42.3 in | -0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 37.1 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 55.0 in | 2.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 47.3 in | 7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 37.4 in | -0.6 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 79.7 in (over 2 rows) | -0.8 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | 1.2 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 |
2016 Honda Civic Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | From the driver seat the new Honda Civic feels especially roomy. Appearances aren't deceiving: the car has an inch or two more front shoulder room than most other small sedans, and about as much as you'll find in some midsize sedans. On paper the Mazda3 has as much shoulder room, but it feels narrower. Some competitors feel much narrower. In comparison, the new Civic's driving position seems like that of a midsize car. In terms of specs, the Civic's rear seat is also roomier than most others. Owing to a somewhat low cushion and scant toe room beneath the front seats, though, I found it less comfortable than some others. The Elantra isn't among these others. Its rear seat cushion is also too close to the floor to provide thigh support, plus its rear seat back is reclined too much for my taste. Even so, rear headroom is limited. The new Civic's trunk can also hold more than the class average. see full Honda Civic review |
2016 Honda Civic Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Unlike in the Hyundai and Mazda, in the new Honda Civic the lumbar bulge cannot be adjusted. I didn't mind the Touring's front seats. Perhaps my spine was unusually flexible the day I drove it. Or perhaps the cloth seats are slightly different. Whatever the reason, for my upright build the Civic EX's lumbar bulge and headrest both jut too far forward. If your body shape differs from mine, your impressions of the seats might as well. But for years I've heard more complaints about Honda's seats than others. Try extensively before you buy. see full Honda Civic review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Honda Civic.