Model Year | 2008 | 2006 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Pontiac Vibe | |
Engine | 3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200 |
1.8L I4 DOHC-4v 164 hp@7600 125 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed manual | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 112.3 in | 102.4 in | 9.9 in |
Length | 191.8 in | 171.9 in | 19.9 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 69.9 in | 0.4 in |
Height | 57.1 in | 62.2 in | -5.1 in |
Curb Weight | 3680 lb. | 2781 lb. | 899 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 2.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 40.6 in | -1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 53.2 in | 2.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 51.7 in | 1.3 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 41.8 in | 0.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 39.8 in | -2.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 52.6 in | 1.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.1 in | 47.8 in | 4.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 36.3 in | 1.3 in |
Total Legroom | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | 78.1 in (over 2 rows) | 1.7 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.1 ft3 | 19.3 ft3 | -4.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 15.1 ft3 | 54.1 ft3 | -39 ft3 |
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The rear legroom and seat comfort are suitable for two adults on extended trips. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The Malibu seats have the comfort of a Lexus and the supportive nature of an Accord. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
during a six hour drive felt no fatigue see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 217-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Rear seat adjusts 7 inches, has recline feature and fold flat for additional storage. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 145-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I'm 6'5" and my wife is 5'0" - we can both drive this car comfortably. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
After driving this car for a half hour, my back was in pain. How absolutely useless on a roadtrip. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The front passenger seat is like sitting in a hole. It can be difficult to get out of. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I like the seating for the front seats. it fits me very good. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I tried the LS cloth, LT2 Ultralux, and LTZ leather seats...all of them were uncomfortable. Too little padding. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2006 Pontiac Vibe Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2006 | 4dr Hatch 126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
. see full Pontiac Vibe review |
2005 | 4dr Hatch 126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Leather seats have been durable and relatively comfortable although no lumbar control, which would have welcomed. Despite some reviews saying driving position is odd, it fits me just fine and I like being able to simply get it--I don't have to climb up as in a SUV and I don't have to get down, as in a sedan. Rear seat room is amazing for such a small car. see full Pontiac Vibe review |
2006 Pontiac Vibe Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2006 | 4dr Hatch 126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
It would only fit the 2 kids in their seat. There is a 3rd belt, but the car seats took up the space where the adult would go between them. see full Pontiac Vibe review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch 126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Heating/cooling of the rear seats is poor. see full Pontiac Vibe review |
2005 | 4dr Hatch 126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The driver's seat lacks lumbar support. I made a minor modification to significantly improve the driver seat: I shaped a piece of upholstery foam to create lumbar support. I fit it under the seat cloth so it looks factory. Without it I was slouching and had back aches within 30 minutes of driving. My test drive was 10 minutes. My wife found an inadequate situation on the passenger seat. She needs a very upright seat back. That makes the headrest push her head forward. She uses a 2" thick piece of foam on the upper 2/3rd of the back rest to create a little space between her head and the headrest. see full Pontiac Vibe review |