Model Year | 2012 | 2010 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Soul | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 112.3 in | 100.4 in | 11.9 in |
Length | 191.8 in | 161.6 in | 30.2 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 70.3 in | 0 in |
Height | 57.1 in | 63.4 in | -6.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3415 lb. | 2560 lb. | 855 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 12.7 gal. | 3.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 40.2 in | -0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 55.2 in | 0.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 53.3 in | -0.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 42.1 in | 0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 39.6 in | -2.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 55.1 in | -1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.1 in | 52.7 in | -0.6 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 39.0 in | -1.4 in |
Total Legroom | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | -1.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.1 ft3 | 19.3 ft3 | -4.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 15.1 ft3 | 53.4 ft3 | -38.3 ft3 |
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 |
2010 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Lots of headroom and legroom. Seat and wheel adjustments easy to make. Feels larger than it actually is. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 122-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Comfort of an intermediate-size car, with everything in easy reach. Able to maintain comfortable safety belt adjustment. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Tons of headroom. My daughter has lots of visibility in the back while in her car seat. Full size adults can sit back there in comfort. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Lots of head, hip, knee, and foot room. The cushions seem to get less comfortable after a solid 2-3 hours driving. But, at least around town, this is one car in which you can ask friends to sit in the back without being ashamed. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 122-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Large enought for two adults see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
I am over 6 feet tall and even with the moon roof, I have a ton of headroom and leg room. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
My kids are tall too and with my seat adjusted to my liking, there is a ton of head room and leg room in the back. Love the folding rear seats. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
You can fit another two big people behind you even when you are a 6 footer. Headrests for all passangers. Safety side curtains for all passengers. see full Kia Soul review |
2010 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
It felt smaller than the measurements suggested, relative to its competitors. see full Kia Soul review |