Chevrolet Malibu (2012) vs. Mazda Mazda5 (2008) Specs

vs.

◆

2012 Chevrolet Malibu and 2008 Mazda Mazda5 Specifications

Model Year	2012	2008
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Mazda Mazda5
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Minivan
			Difference
Wheelbase	112.3 in	108.3 in	4 in
Length	191.8 in	181.5 in	10.3 in
Width	70.3 in	69.1 in	1.2 in
Height	57.1 in	64.2 in	-7.1 in
Curb Weight	3415 lb.	3417 lb.	-2 lb.
Fuel Capacity	16.0 gal.	15.9 gal.	0.1 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.4 in	40.7 in	-1.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.9 in	55.5 in	0.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.0 in	52.9 in	0.1 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.2 in	40.7 in	1.5 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.2 in	39.4 in	-2.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	53.9 in	55.6 in	-1.7 in
Hip Room, Row 2	52.1 in	58.3 in	-6.2 in
Legroom, Row 2	37.6 in	35.2 in	2.4 in
Headroom, Row 3	0.0 in	37.1 in	-37.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	0.0 in	49.2 in	-49.2 in
Hip Room, Row 3	0.0 in	40.9 in	-40.9 in
Legroom, Row 3	0.0 in	30.7 in	-30.7 in
Total Legroom	79.8 in (over 2 rows)	106.6 in (over 3 rows)	-26.8 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	15.1 ft³	11.3 ft³	3.8 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	15.1	44.4 ft³	-29.3
Cargo Volume, Maximum	15.1 ft³	70.9 ft³	-55.8 ft³

Return to top

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

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

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

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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Mazda Mazda5

2008 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Space for two kids or adult to sit comfortably - elderly father sits up straight and can access easily with sliding doors. Pop up seats deal with short term travel with friends/teammates. see full Mazda Mazda5 review
2008	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Ample space for such a small exterior. see full Mazda Mazda5 review
2008	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	3rd row in a "car" is nice - we always have the occasional 3rd or 4th child and like that they are somewhat temporarily available. see full Mazda Mazda5 review
2008	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	One of the smallest vehicles with seating for 6. Going to a full size minivan removes the option for a manual transmission, severely reduces visibility and adds too much weight. SUVs are just way too big see full Mazda Mazda5 review
2007	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Rear seats fit adults or kids in car seats adequately, especially for an economy car. see full Mazda Mazda5 review

2008 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Not enough leg room overall in the car. As a larger driver (6'3"), I need to push the drivers seat back. So the kid behind me has to get pushed back. Well the third row can't move back, so I've I'm driving, no one can sit in the third row driver's side and have any leg room. This is the worst for kids in full-size car seats, because the seats position their legs higher and forward of where a small adult's would be with no car seat. see full Mazda Mazda5 review
2009	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	The center seats are adequate for tall adults. Judicious positioning of the front and center seats should get you better results than a subcompact. The third-row rear seats are for kids only. see full Mazda Mazda5 review
2009	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	The back seat is made for very small folks only. The middle row seat belts are placed somewhat far back. see full Mazda Mazda5 review
2009	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	The six-chair setup of the 5 means that luggage space is limited, and some may find the "three rows of two" arrangement adds difficulty to monitoring children in the far rear seats. In order to carry significant cargo the seats need to be removed. see full Mazda Mazda5 review
2007	4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD	With the seat all back, there is not much room for anyone over six feet tall. see full Mazda Mazda5 review

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans

See TrueDelta's information for all Chevrolet models.