Model Year | 2014 | 2015 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Mazda Mazda6 | |
Engine | 2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 196 hp@6300 186 lb-ft@4400 |
2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 184 hp@5700 185 lb-ft@3250 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 111.4 in | -3.6 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 191.5 in | 0 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 72.4 in | 0.6 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 57.1 in | 0.5 in |
Curb Weight | 3393 lb. | 3183 lb. | 210 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 16.4 gal. | 2.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 38.4 in | 0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 57.1 in | 0.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 56.1 in | -1.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 42.2 in | -0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 37.1 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 55.5 in | 1.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 56.1 in | -1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 38.7 in | -1.9 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 80.9 in (over 2 rows) | -2 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 14.8 ft3 | 1.5 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 |
2015 Mazda Mazda6 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
This one, again borrowed from the earlier review, won't be an issue with most potential buyers: The Mazda6's svelte, athletically proportioned body comes at a typical price: rear seat room, as in the Ford Fusion, is merely adequate. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, my knees and head have only an inch or two of clearance, my shins none. Among major competitors, only the Chevrolet Malibu has a tighter rear seat. To carve out even this much room beneath the plunging rear roofline the new Mazda6's rear seat cushion is slightly undersized and positioned too low. That in the Fusion is more supportive. A deal killer? Unless space for large adults is a priority, no. If, on the other hand, space for large adults is a priority, then the Honda Accord and VW Passat are better bets. Even for small passengers, the Mazda6 Sport's rear seat has a key shortcoming. Unlike in the Touring and Grand Touring, there's no rear air vent to help cool the aft cabin in the summer. see full Mazda Mazda6 review |
2015 Mazda Mazda6 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2016 | 4dr Sedan 143-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Why doesn't this vehicle have heated front seats (they only cost a tenner or so at manufacturing time) and why doesn't it have electric front seats with memory (it is particularly annoying to have to try and reset the seat after the garage has had the car and adjusted it to their liking)! Again electric front seats don;t really cost anything much to build in. see full Mazda Mazda6 review |