Model Year | 2014 | 2016 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Soul | |
Engine | 2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 196 hp@6300 186 lb-ft@4400 |
2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 164 hp@6200 151 lb-ft@4000 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 101.2 in | 6.6 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 163.0 in | 28.5 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 70.9 in | 2.1 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 63.0 in | -5.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3393 lb. | 2837 lb. | 556 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 14.2 gal. | 4.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 39.6 in | -0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 55.5 in | 2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 53.2 in | 1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 40.9 in | 1.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 39.5 in | -2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 54.7 in | 2.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 49.3 in | 5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 39.1 in | -2.3 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 80 in (over 2 rows) | -1.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 24.2 ft3 | -7.9 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 61.3 ft3 | -45 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 |
2016 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2015 | Volkswagen managed to package the e-Golf's 24-kWh battery pack so well that neither passenger nor cargo room is reduced. Kia didn't do as well with its 27-kWh pack, and the Soul EV has three fewer inches of rear legroom than the regular Soul as a result. Still, this leaves it with about as much rear legroom as the e-Golf, and more than you'll find in other compact EVs. If you want a compact EV with an adult-friendly back seat, these are the ones to get. Rear seat passengers don't get rear air vents in the Soul EV, but they can get seat heaters. The e-Golf has the vents but doesn't offer back row bun warmers. see full Kia Soul review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Kia Soul.