Model Year | 2015 | 2008 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6000 258 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 109.3 in | -1.5 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 189.8 in | 1.7 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 70.7 in | 2.3 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 57.9 in | -0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 3334 lb. | 301 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 20.0 gal. | -1.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 40.6 in | -1.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 55.7 in | 1.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 56.8 in | -1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 42.2 in | -0.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 36.8 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 55.5 in | 1.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 52.5 in | 1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 39.5 in | -2.7 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 81.7 in (over 2 rows) | -2.8 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 17.9 ft3 | -1.6 ft3 |
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | Chevrolet's designers styled the new Malibu's instrument panel to appear low and out of the way, such that the front seat feels especially roomy and the view forward seems more open than in most competitors, including the Kia (the instrument panel in which seems significantly higher and more imposing). In the tested car, which had every option except the panoramic sunroof, headroom was so abundant I could have worn a fedora. The Kia Optima might have as much front headroom when similarly without a sunroof. The official specs, which often don't reflect real world differences, suggest it should have even more than the Malibu. But you cannot get a highly equipped Optima without the sunroof, as it's part of a large package on the SX and standard on the SX Limited. Though the Malibu's windshield is relatively large, you won't find outward visibility among the reasons to buy one. The Chevrolet's front pillars remain on the thick side, its instrument panel is considerably deeper than the Kia's, and the view to the sides and rear also could be more open. In the Optima, the view to the sides is more open but that to the rear is not. I did find the Cherolet's front seats more form-fitting and comfortable than the Optima's. The Kia's quilted seats aren't as cushy as they appear. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2015 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 |
2008 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Comfortable for 6 ft adult. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
adjustability see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Very good for tall people, even with sunroof. Seat is adjustable in 3 directions plus lumbar support. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
I guess these first three are of a piece. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed manual FWD |
Very comfortable and i found all the controls very intuitive. the driving position is right and everything falls where you would expect it. see full Nissan Altima review |
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 |
2008 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
tight quarters. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed manual FWD |
Good luck fitting more than one person of or above average size in the back. For one person, I find that having them sit in one seat and putting their legs across behind the other seat creates the illusion of them having more room. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
My shoulder room is cramped and i feel like the whole front seating area is a too small. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Difficult entry; Lever in akward position to move front passenger seat forward for rear seat ingress/egress. Headroom, legroom. see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Not much room back there but that is to be expected in a coupe You can get small adults back there for short trips see full Nissan Altima review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
test drove it for 15 minutes and never could found the right driving position see full Nissan Altima review |
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 |