Model Year | 2014 | 2006 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5800 249 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 5-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 110.2 in | -2.4 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 192.3 in | -0.8 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 70.4 in | 2.6 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 57.9 in | -0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 3274 lb. | 361 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 20.0 gal. | -1.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 40.8 in | -1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 56.3 in | 1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 53.0 in | 2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 43.9 in | -1.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 37.6 in | -0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 56.0 in | 1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 54.5 in | -0.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 36.4 in | 0.4 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 80.3 in (over 2 rows) | -1.4 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 15.6 ft3 | 0.7 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 |
2006 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 158-horsepower 2.5L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD |
People who get into the back seat rant and rave about how much room they have, even with my seat all the way back. see full Nissan Altima review |
2005 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Big accommodating backseat. see full Nissan Altima review |
2006 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Cramp for a midsized sedan. see full Nissan Altima review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
front seat squirm!!!! many people have it and it annoys me. see full Nissan Altima review |