Chevrolet Malibu (2015) vs. Honda Civic (2012) Specs

vs.

◆

2015 Chevrolet Malibu and 2012 Honda Civic Specifications

Model Year	2015	2012
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Honda Civic
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000	2.4L I4 DOHC-4v 201 hp@7000 170 lb-ft@4400
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed manual
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	107.8 in	105.1 in	2.7 in
Length	191.5 in	177.3 in	14.2 in
Width	73.0 in	69.0 in	4 in
Height	57.6 in	56.5 in	1.1 in
Curb Weight	3635 lb.	2906 lb.	729 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	13.2 gal.	5.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.0 in	39.0 in	0 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.5 in	56.6 in	0.9 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.0 in	50.5 in	4.5 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.1 in	42.0 in	0.1 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.5 in	37.1 in	0.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	57.1 in	53.3 in	3.8 in
Hip Room, Row 2	54.3 in	51.4 in	2.9 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.8 in	36.2 in	0.6 in
Total Legroom	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	78.2 in (over 2 rows)	0.7 in
Cargo Volume	16.3 ft³	12.5 ft³	3.8 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 Honda Civic Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	Interior dimensions haven't changed, so the 2013 Civic continues to have one of the segment's roomiest rear seats (though not in the same league as the VW Jetta). A barely there floor hump and a broad cushy center seat render the Civic more capable than most compact sedans of seating three adults, though the rear cushion is somewhat low and hip room is in short supply. You'll find more shoulder room but less rear legroom in the Dart's back seat. Midsize sedans often don't offer much more rear legroom, but their seats tend to be more comfortably positioned. see full Honda Civic review

2012 Honda Civic Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	4dr Sedan 197-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	The seats fit me perfectly. see full Honda Civic review

2012 Honda Civic Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	2dr Coupe 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed automatic FWD	Rear seat was a bit tight for adults, in hindsight we should have bought the Accord. see full Honda Civic review

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans

See TrueDelta's information for all Chevrolet models.