Model Year | 2012 | 2012 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Mercedes-Benz GL | |
Engine | 3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200 |
4.7L V8 DOHC-4v 335 hp@6000 339 lb-ft@2700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 7-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 112.3 in | 121.1 in | -8.8 in |
Length | 191.8 in | 200.6 in | -8.8 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 76.0 in | -5.7 in |
Height | 57.1 in | 72.4 in | -15.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3645 lb. | 5346 lb. | -1701 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 26.0 gal. | -10 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 40.1 in | -0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 58.3 in | -2.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 0.0 in | 53 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 40.3 in | 1.9 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 40.6 in | -3.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 58.9 in | -5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.1 in | 0.0 in | 52.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 39.5 in | -1.9 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 38.2 in | -38.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 50.5 in | -50.5 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 34.2 in | -34.2 in |
Total Legroom | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | 114 in (over 3 rows) | -34.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.1 ft3 | 14.3 ft3 | 0.8 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 15.1 | 43.8 ft3 | -28.7 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 15.1 ft3 | 83.3 ft3 | -68.2 ft3 |
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 |
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 |
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is just a little longer than the Audi Q7 (201.6 vs. 200.3 inches), and isn't as wide (76.4 vs. 78.1 inches). But the Mercedes is considerably taller (72.8 vs. 68.4 inches) and not nearly as curvy. Which might explain how it is far roomier than the much sleeker Audi. Combined legroom for all three rows is 107.6 inches in the Q7 vs. 113.8 inches in the GL-Class, a large difference. The Q7's space deficit grows the farther back you sit. For adults to even fit in the Audi's third row without extreme discomfort, those in the second row must slide their seats forward to the point that they are themselves short on knee room. While the new GL350's third row sits too low to provide thigh support, it's not nearly as cramped. Further evidence that Audi didn't intend the Q7's third row for frequent use: the second-row seat doesn't do a good job of getting out of the way, making the path in and out of the way-back perhaps the tightest I've experienced. The second-row seat in the GL-Class tips forward to open up a much wider path. If manually tipping the seat is too much of a chore (perhaps because you'e a five-year-old and haven't yet learned to read this), $400 buys a power assist. But even with this option the seat must be manually returned to its upright position, so the point eludes me. see full Mercedes-Benz GL review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL.