Chevrolet Malibu (2013) vs. Kia Forte (2011) Specs

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu and 2011 Kia Forte Specifications

Model Year	2013	2011
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Kia Forte
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@5200	2.4L I4 DOHC-4v 173 hp@6000 168 lb-ft@4000
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	107.8 in	104.3 in	3.5 in
Length	191.5 in	178.3 in	13.2 in
Width	73.0 in	69.9 in	3.1 in
Height	57.6 in	57.5 in	0.1 in
Curb Weight	3635 lb.	2870 lb.	765 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	13.7 gal.	4.8 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.0 in	40.0 in	-1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.5 in	55.7 in	1.8 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.0 in	53.0 in	2 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.1 in	43.3 in	-1.2 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.5 in	37.8 in	-0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	57.1 in	54.7 in	2.4 in
Hip Room, Row 2	54.3 in	53.3 in	1 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.8 in	35.0 in	1.8 in
Total Legroom	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	78.3 in (over 2 rows)	0.6 in
Cargo Volume	16.3 ft³	14.7 ft³	1.6 ft³

2013 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

2013 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

2013 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 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

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