Model Year | 2014 | 2012 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Pathfinder | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
5.6L V8 DOHC-4v 310 hp@5200 388 lb-ft@3400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 5-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | 4WD w/low range | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 112.2 in | -4.4 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 192.3 in | -0.8 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 72.8 in | 0.2 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 72.0 in | -14.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 5020 lb. | -1385 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 21.1 gal. | -2.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 40.0 in | -1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 58.3 in | -0.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 55.5 in | -0.5 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 42.4 in | -0.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 40.0 in | -2.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 58.4 in | -1.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 57.6 in | -3.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 34.2 in | 2.6 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 36.7 in | -36.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 57.1 in | -57.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 44.0 in | -44 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 28.1 in | -28.1 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 104.7 in (over 3 rows) | -25.8 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 16.5 ft3 | -0.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 16.3 | 49.2 ft3 | -32.9 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 79.2 ft3 | -62.9 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 |
2012 Nissan Pathfinder Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Adults will easily fit in both back rows if the second row is adjusted midway through its travel, but they won't be very comfortable. Total legroom for all three rows is a generous 114.7 inches, 3.4 more than in the larger GMC Acadia. But as in the Acadia, the second row seat is too low to provide adults with proper thigh support. The Ford Flex is the champ in this area, while the new Santa Fe also puts in a strong showing. The seat cushion itself feels more substantial than that in the Acadia, but the GMC can fit three people in the third row (as can the Pilot). Only two can sit back there in the Pathfinder. see full Nissan Pathfinder review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder.