Model Year | 2014 | 2015 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Hyundai Sonata | |
Engine | 2.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 182 hp@6700 172 lb-ft@4900 |
2.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 159 hp@5500 154 lb-ft@4500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 110.4 in | -2.6 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 191.1 in | 0.4 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 73.4 in | -0.4 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 58.1 in | -0.5 in |
Curb Weight | 3602 lb. | 3508 lb. | 94 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 18.5 gal. | 0 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 40.4 in | -1.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 57.9 in | -0.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 55.3 in | -0.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 45.5 in | -3.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 38.0 in | -0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 56.5 in | 0.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 56.1 in | -1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 35.6 in | 1.2 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | -2.2 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 0 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 |
2015 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2015 | According to the spec sheets, the Ford Fusion has nearly as much combined legroom as the new Sonata, which has an inch more than the old Sonata. But Ford cheats the specs. In reality, the Hyundai's rear seat has a few more inches of rear legroom than the Ford's, and about as much as you'll find in any competitor. Rear headroom is in shorter supply, but (again as in most competitors) should be sufficient for people up to six feet in height. The rear seat cushion is a little too low and level to provide optimal thigh support, but the space to stretch out largely compensates for this. You can get rear air vents to help cool this roomy rear seat, but only on the Limited and Sport 2.0T. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.