Model Year | 2014 | 2012 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Mazda CX-7 | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 244 hp@5000 258 lb-ft@2500 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 108.3 in | -0.5 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 184.3 in | 7.2 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 73.7 in | -0.7 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 64.8 in | -7.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 3787 lb. | -152 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 16.4 gal. | 2.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 39.7 in | -0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 58.0 in | -0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 54.8 in | 0.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 41.7 in | 0.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 39.3 in | -1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 55.8 in | 1.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 53.0 in | 1.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 36.4 in | 0.4 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 78.1 in (over 2 rows) | 0.8 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 29.9 ft3 | -13.6 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 58.6 ft3 | -42.3 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 |
2012 Mazda CX-7 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr SUV 161-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tight seating in rear unless seats are pulled way fwd. see full Mazda CX-7 review |