Model Year | 2015 | 2017 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Subaru BRZ | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
2.0L H4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@7000 151 lb-ft@6400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 2dr Coupe | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 101.2 in | 6.6 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 166.7 in | 24.8 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 69.9 in | 3.1 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 50.6 in | 7 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 2812 lb. | 823 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 13.2 gal. | 5.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 37.1 in | 1.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 54.5 in | 3 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 53.1 in | 1.9 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 41.9 in | 0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 35.0 in | 2.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 51.7 in | 5.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 45.3 in | 9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 29.9 in | 6.9 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 71.8 in (over 2 rows) | 7.1 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.3 ft3 | 6.9 ft3 | 9.4 ft3 |
2015 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 |
2015 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 |
2017 Subaru BRZ Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2017 | 2dr Coupe 205-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed manual RWD |
The seat heaters are an absolute joke. We thought they were broken. No, they're just terrible. If you live in regular -10c weather you will want a a plug-in seat warmer.
The seats themselves are fantastic for driving.
Driver's seat does not slide forward when you move the seatback to access the back seat. Seems fine, who wants to reset their seat position every time.
The passenger seat does get loose when you pop the seat back up, but the chair slides around loose and left to gravity, will sit at the rearmost spot. Might be nice if it could sit in a divot at the full frontmost position.
see full Subaru BRZ review |