Model Year | 2014 | 2016 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Soul | |
Engine | 2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 146 kW@6300 252 Nm@4400 |
2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 122 kW@6200 205 Nm@4000 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,738 mm | 2,570 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,864 mm | 4,140 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,854 mm | 1,801 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,463 mm | 1,600 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,539 kg | 1,287 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 70 L | 54 L | 16 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 991 mm | 1,006 mm | 990 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,461 mm | 1,410 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,397 mm | 1,351 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,069 mm | 1,039 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 953 mm | 1,003 mm | 952 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,450 mm | 1,389 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,379 mm | 1,252 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 935 mm | 993 mm | -58 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,004 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,032 mm (over 2 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 462 L | 685 L | -223 L |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 | 1,736 L | 15.3 |
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.