Model Year | 2012 | 2011 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Forte | |
Engine | 3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200 |
2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 156 hp@6200 144 lb-ft@4300 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,852 mm | 2,649 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,872 mm | 4,529 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,786 mm | 1,775 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,450 mm | 1,461 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,653 kg | 1,228 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 61 L | 52 L | 9 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,001 mm | 1,016 mm | 0 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,420 mm | 1,415 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,346 mm | 1,346 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,072 mm | 1,100 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 945 mm | 960 mm | -15 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,369 mm | 1,389 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,323 mm | 1,354 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 955 mm | 889 mm | 66 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,027 mm (over 2 rows) | 1,989 mm (over 2 rows) | 1 mm |
Cargo Volume | 428 L | 416 L | 12 L |
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 |
2011 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Plenty of room, indeed there may be too much room as it is a bit of a reach to unlock the passenger side door, almost impossible to adjust the passenger door mirror and lower the passenger window? Forget it. Plenty of elbow room. see full Kia Forte review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
My Jazz Bass, in its case, fits on the floor between the front and rear seats. Just like the front seats, there is plenty of room for two and adequate room for three. see full Kia Forte review |
2011 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I feel the seat is to far away from the wheel and the pedals are angled to steeply. The dead pedal is perfect though. see full Kia Forte review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
too small and too tight. see full Kia Forte review |