Chevrolet Malibu (2012) vs. Hyundai Kona (2019) Specs

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019 Hyundai Kona Specifications

Model Year	2012	2019
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Hyundai Kona
Engine	3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200	turbocharged 1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 175 hp@5500 195 lb-ft@1500
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	7-speed automated manual
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	2,852 mm	2,601 mm	0 mm
Length	4,872 mm	4,166 mm	0 mm
Width	1,786 mm	1,801 mm	0 mm
Height	1,450 mm	1,549 mm	0 mm
Curb Weight	1,653 kg	1,380 kg	0 kg
Fuel Capacity	61 L	50 L	11 L
Headroom, Row 1	1,001 mm	1,006 mm	0 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 1	1,420 mm	1,410 mm	0 mm
Hip Room, Row 1	1,346 mm	1,354 mm	0 mm
Legroom, Row 1	1,072 mm	1,054 mm	0 mm
Headroom, Row 2	945 mm	960 mm	-15 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 2	1,369 mm	1,384 mm	0 mm
Hip Room, Row 2	1,323 mm	1,326 mm	0 mm
Legroom, Row 2	955 mm	879 mm	76 mm
Total Legroom	2,027 mm (over 2 rows)	1,933 mm (over 2 rows)	1 mm
Cargo Volume, Minimum	428 L	544 L	-116 L
Cargo Volume, Maximum	15.1	1,297 L	14.1

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
2012	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

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Good legroom. Hip room is alittle tight in this year's Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2012 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
2012	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I'm 6'4" tall and 60 years old. I have a tough time getting in and out due to the low roof. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2011	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	drivers seat is hard on my back, no matter how much I adjust...seems to be missing some foam on left side bolster...taking into dealer for possible replacement of seat cushion soon see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2019 Hyundai Kona Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	Hyundai packaged the Kona fairly efficiently, but only so much was possible given the crossover's compact exterior dimensions. At 5-9 I can barely sit behind someone else my height, my knees nearly touching the front seat back. Put taller people in the front seats, and the rear seat would become viable only for small adults and children. The Honda HR-V has a much roomier rear seat (but much less comfortable front seats, at least for me, as their headrests jut too far forward). Most other competitors fall between the two. One exception: the Mazda CX-3 has an even tighter rear seat than the Kona. For those who fit, the Kona's rear seat is mounted comfortably high off the floor. see full Hyundai Kona review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2019 Hyundai Kona.

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