Model Year | 2016 | 2009 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Altima | |
Engine | 1.8L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 122 hp@5000 129 lb-ft@4750 |
2.5L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 158 hp@5200 162 lb-ft@2800 |
|
Transmission | CVT | CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 111.4 in | 109.3 in | 2.1 in |
Length | 193.8 in | 189.8 in | 4 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 70.7 in | 2.3 in |
Height | 57.7 in | 57.9 in | -0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3457 lb. | 3470 lb. | -13 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.0 gal. | 20.0 gal. | -7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.1 in | 40.6 in | -1.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 58.5 in | 55.7 in | 2.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 54.1 in | 56.8 in | -2.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 44.1 in | -2.1 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 | 53.4 in | 52.5 in | 0.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.1 in | 35.8 in | 2.3 in |
Total Legroom | 80.1 in (over 2 rows) | 79.9 in (over 2 rows) | 0.2 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.8 ft3 | 15.3 ft3 | 0.5 ft3 |
2016 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 |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.
2009 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Nissan has reputation for reliability see full Nissan Altima review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
I am a big guy who at first did not consider Altima because I did not think I would fit in it. I was surprised to find I fit just fine. I am 6'3" and 252lbs. The front seats provide ample room. I also have a lot of head room. see full Nissan Altima review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
I am 6'3", weigh 235. Being a big guy, I find this car VERY comfortable. I use it in my work daily. I drive it multiple trips/day (there have been as many as 8-10 trips/day-from 2 miles up to 50 miles/each trip). So I am in/out of the car multiple times/day. It's very easy to enter and exit and is very roomy for a mid-sized car and also has a lot of rear leg room. The trunk is large as well and the back seat folds down making the useful trunk space all the more. I also like the console and having the iPod connection in the second storage area of the console-out of the way. Hip room of the front seat is very generous as well. Just yesterday I had a rear seat passenger who commented how much leg room they had in the back. see full Nissan Altima review |
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 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 |
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 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
adjustability see full Nissan Altima review |
2009 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Very difficult to get in and even more difficult to get out. Only teens in good shape can do it easily 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 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 |
test drove it for 15 minutes and never could found the right driving position see full Nissan Altima review |
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 |