Model Year | 2012 | 2014 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima | |
Engine | 3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6000 251 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 7-speed shiftable CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 112.3 in | 109.3 in | 3 in |
Length | 191.8 in | 191.5 in | 0.3 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 72.0 in | -1.7 in |
Height | 57.1 in | 57.9 in | -0.8 in |
Curb Weight | 3645 lb. | 3295 lb. | 350 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 18.0 gal. | -2 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 40.0 in | -0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 56.4 in | -0.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 54.0 in | -1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 45.0 in | -2.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 37.1 in | 0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 56.4 in | -2.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.1 in | 52.1 in | 0 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 36.1 in | 1.5 in |
Total Legroom | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | -1.3 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.1 ft3 | 15.4 ft3 | -0.3 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 |
2014 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | I'm already stuck. In just about every other way aside from fuel economy the Altima is a good, even very good car, yet an unremarkable one. Either this, or a strength must be qualified with a "but." The latter is the case with the front seats. Inspired by the "zero gravity" seats designed by NASA for ultra-long-distance travel, the Altima's buckets feel substantial and fit like a glove. BUT...also check the reasons not to buy an Altima. Move to the back seat, and Nissan's midsize sedan has a clearer advantage. The comfortably padded rear seat cushions in both the Altima and the Fushion provide good thigh support--those in many competitors do not. The Altima's rear seat isn't quite the roomiest, but it is roomier than the Fusion's. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The NASA-inspired driver's seat is very comfortable and supportive, BUT its headrest juts so far forward that I had to remove it and reinsert it turned around. This severely compromises safety, but otherwise the headrest presses very uncomfortably against the back of my head. For this reason I doubt I could own an Altima. The average person, with a less vertical neck, won't have this problem. Just be sure to pay attention to this during your test drive. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
best seats... most comfortable! I wont go back to Honda. dang. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
I bought this car because of the front seat leg room. I'm 6' 5" tall with a 36" inseam. This is the first car I've ever owned that I fit in perfectly. The cloth bucket seats are very comfortable. Every control is in easy reach even though I have the seat as far back as it can go. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel is great. This is the first mid size sedan since I've owned. It has more interior room than a 1999 Buick LeSabre I owned 10 years ago. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Superb see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Adequate see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 7-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
The seats are quite comfortable. They feel like they have memory foam in them. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Huge back seat for a sedan (legroom) and even three abreast is not that terrible. Big guys did not complain. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
The seats are very comfortable, I would have been happy if both the driver and passenger were electronic. The lumbar support is fantastic and the driver seats is 8-way adjustable. For tall people this car will be a great ride. see full Nissan Altima review |
2014 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Kids in the back seat love the limoesque space. I do enjoy anchor locks and the well placed seat belts. There is definitely some intelligent design and practice into everything and anything in this car. see full Nissan Altima review |