Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu 2012 Kia Sorento Kia Sorento 2017

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Chevrolet Malibu (2012) vs. Kia Sorento (2017) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu and 2017 Kia Sorento specs.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu and 2017 Kia Sorento Specifications

Model Year 2012 2017  
Model Chevrolet Malibu Kia Sorento  
Engine 3.6L V6
DOHC-4v
252 hp@6300
251 lb-ft@3200
3.3L V6
DOHC-4v
290 hp@6400
252 lb-ft@5300
 
Transmission 6-speed shiftable automatic 6-speed shiftable automatic  
Drivetrain FWD FWD  
Body 4dr Sedan 4dr SUV  
      Difference
Wheelbase 112.3 in 109.4 in 2.9 in
Length 191.8 in 187.4 in 4.4 in
Width 70.3 in 74.4 in -4.1 in
Height 57.1 in 66.3 in -9.2 in
Curb Weight 3645 lb. 3968 lb. -323 lb.
Fuel Capacity 16.0 gal. 18.8 gal. -2.8 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 39.4 in 39.5 in -0.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 55.9 in 59.1 in -3.2 in
Hip Room, Row 1 53.0 in 56.7 in -3.7 in
Legroom, Row 1 42.2 in 41.2 in 1 in
Headroom, Row 2 37.2 in 39.3 in -2.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 53.9 in 58.0 in -4.1 in
Hip Room, Row 2 52.1 in 56.4 in -4.3 in
Legroom, Row 2 37.6 in 39.4 in -1.8 in
Headroom, Row 3 0.0 in 36.3 in -36.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3 0.0 in 52.8 in -52.8 in
Hip Room, Row 3 0.0 in 41.4 in -41.4 in
Legroom, Row 3 0.0 in 31.7 in -31.7 in
Total Legroom 79.8 in (over 2 rows) 112.3 in (over 3 rows) -32.5 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 15.1 ft3 11.3 ft3 3.8 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 15.1 38.0 ft3 -22.9
Cargo Volume, Maximum 15.1 ft3 73.0 ft3 -57.9 ft3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
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
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Kia Sorento

2017 Kia Sorento Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
Hyundai offers the Santa Fe in two lengths, a two-row 184.6-inch "Sport" and a three-row 193.1-inch regular version. Though the 2011-2015 Sorento had an optional third-row seat, it was about the same length as the Santa Fe Sport. Perhaps to better fit that third-row seat and differentiate itself from the two Hyundai variants, the 2016 Sorento is three inches longer than the 2015, for a total of 187.4. Kia has done a good job packaging the new SUV. Though the Toyota Highlander and (2009-2015) Honda Pilot are considerably longer, their rear seats have no more rear legroom than the new Sorento's. At 5-9, I can just barely fit in any of them. Passengers will have more room to stretch their legs in the Santa Fe, though third-row headroom is similarly limited to people of at most my height. If you need an adult-friendly third-row, you really need a minivan. Kia offers an especially stylish one. Like the Santa Fe, the Sorento falls between others' compact and midsize SUVs in width. There might not be more rear legroom in a Highlander or Pilot, but there's enough additional shoulder room to include a third seating position in the third row. If you need an eight-passenger vehicle, both the Sorento and the Santa Fe are out of contention. At least all trim levels of the Sorento can seat seven people. The Santa Fe Limited can only fit six. In both the Kia and the Hyundai the second-row seat is mounted comfortably high off the floor, not a given among midsize crossovers. The third-row seat is mounted low to the floor, forcing a knees-high seating position, but this is pretty much a given in the class. see full Kia Sorento review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Kia Sorento

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