Model Year | 2012 | 2011 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 112.3 in | 103.1 in | 9.2 in |
Length | 191.8 in | 180.3 in | 11.5 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 68.5 in | 1.8 in |
Height | 57.1 in | 58.1 in | -1 in |
Curb Weight | 3415 lb. | 3075 lb. | 340 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 16.9 gal. | -0.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 40.3 in | -0.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 54.8 in | 1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 0.0 in | 53 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 43.5 in | -1.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 37.6 in | -0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 53.2 in | 0.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.1 in | 0.0 in | 52.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 33.5 in | 4.1 in |
Total Legroom | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | 77 in (over 2 rows) | 2.8 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.1 ft3 | 11.3 ft3 | 3.8 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 |
2011 Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 CVT AWD |
I've driven between the SF Bay Area and San Diego several times with no comfort issues. As a point of comparison, I am comfortable with long drives in a 2002 Honda Civic and I would like to burn the seats in a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
I am 6'4" tall and this is one of the few compact cars I fit into easily with room to spare. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
The rear seats actually have enough space to comfortably fit full size adults or child car seats. The doors open wide making ingress and egress easy. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Amongst small cars, this had quite comfortable rear seat room, which accommodated our car seat better than our previous Volkswagen Jetta. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Roomy inside, as well as pretty large greenhouse see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2011 Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Coming from both an MX-5 and Buick Century the cabin of the WRX is very spacious. There is good room for driver and passenger. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
I drove he car for a better part of 2 hours today. The seats were very comfortable all around in rush hour traffic on city and highway roads. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2012 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 2.0L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
Seats only adjust two ways, and manual adjustments at that. They're adequate for short trips but uncomfortable if you have to sit for hours. I wish there was an option for multiple power adjustments with memory. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
There is no lumbar support which makes it tough for drives over 2 hours. The seats could be better for its class. I think Subaru remedied this issue in the new body style, however. see full Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport review |