Model Year | 2014 | 2012 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Nissan Versa | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,738 mm | 2,601 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,864 mm | 4,455 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,854 mm | 1,694 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,463 mm | 1,514 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,539 kg | 1,066 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 70 L | 41 L | 29 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 991 mm | 1,011 mm | 990 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,461 mm | 1,313 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,397 mm | 1,222 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,069 mm | 1,062 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 953 mm | 940 mm | 13 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,450 mm | 1,318 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,379 mm | 1,173 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 935 mm | 940 mm | -5 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,004 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,002 mm (over 2 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume | 462 L | 419 L | 43 L |
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 Versa Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 109-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Even with the front seats slid all the way back, this car still has more room than almost any other car -- almost as much room as a BMW 780IL. see full Nissan Versa review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 109-horsepower 1.6L I4 CVT FWD |
Only subcompact we test drove that could actually fit four adults. More rear leg room than many midsize cars. see full Nissan Versa review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 122-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The seats were ample, and well supported. In my last two cars (a Corolla and a Legacy) I needed a lumbar cushion, but not in the Versa. The seat bottoms also supported my thighs for enough of their length for comfort. see full Nissan Versa review |
2012 Nissan Versa Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 109-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
When I bought the car, I laid the seat down all the way to make sure it would be comfortable enough to nap on. It is, but it's slightly more comfortable if the car is parked on an incline because the seat doesn't quite go down completely flat... although come to think of it I haven't tried raising the seat height with the lever then setting the seat back. Anyway, the passenger side doesn't have a seat height adjustment lever and it doesn't quite make a 180% flat angle either. see full Nissan Versa review |