Model Year | 2012 | 2010 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Maxima | |
Engine | 3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 290 hp@6400 261 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-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 | 190.6 in | 1.2 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 73.2 in | -2.9 in |
Height | 57.1 in | 57.8 in | -0.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3645 lb. | 3556 lb. | 89 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 20.0 gal. | -4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 38.5 in | 0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 56.3 in | -0.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 53.4 in | -0.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 43.8 in | -1.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 36.4 in | 0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 55.1 in | -1.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.1 in | 53.9 in | -1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 34.6 in | 3 in |
Total Legroom | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | 78.4 in (over 2 rows) | 1.4 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.1 ft3 | 14.2 ft3 | 0.9 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 |
2010 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Lumbar in the base model. Good side bolstering on bottom cushion and through the shoulders. Large range of adjustment and the wheel tilts and shifts. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Lots of room, soft seats. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Bucket seats hold you in around corners - very supportive. Telescopic steering wheel and power seats ensure you get a great driving position. Both seats and steering wheel are heated. Dual climate control great for passengers. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
It fits everywhere. On a recent trip, I drove all day and was never "seat tired". see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Adjustable everything! Air conditioned driver seat a huge consideration. see full Nissan Maxima review |
2010 Nissan Maxima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
My tall friends hit there heads on the roofline, they are over 6 foot see full Nissan Maxima review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
The rear seat of the 7th gen Maxima is slightly smaller than that of the 6th gen Maxima. Still fairly roomy, but slightly smaller. This is understandable because of the major styling change, and the conversion from 'near luxury family sedan' back to 'near luxury family sedan with a sporty edge' that took place between these generations. see full Nissan Maxima review |