Model Year | 2014 | 2009 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Subaru Outback | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 243 hp@6000 241 lb-ft@3600 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 5-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Wagon | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 105.1 in | 2.7 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 188.7 in | 2.8 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 69.7 in | 3.3 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 63.2 in | -5.6 in |
Curb Weight | 3635 lb. | 3605 lb. | 30 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 16.9 gal. | 1.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 40.5 in | -1.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 54.4 in | 3.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 51.0 in | 4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 44.1 in | -2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 39.1 in | -1.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 53.7 in | 3.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 52.6 in | 1.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 33.9 in | 2.9 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 78 in (over 2 rows) | 0.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 33.5 ft3 | -17.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 66.2 ft3 | -49.9 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 |
2009 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
This is a big one for me since I'm 6'6". The seat is very comfortable, even with my long legs. With it all the way back, I can fit in the rear seat as well. Also, heated seats are a wonderful thing. see full Subaru Outback review |
2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD |
It seems to have as much room as my Chevy Suburban. see full Subaru Outback review |
2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD |
More then enough room for my children and their car seats. Much more room compared to my VW Passat Wagon I traded in. see full Subaru Outback review |
2010 | 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The driver's seat with its 10 way adjustments was rival to Volvo's orthopedic chair. The passenger seat, however was akin to something out of a Yaris & this was the main reason we did not buy this car. see full Subaru Outback review |
2009 Subaru Outback Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Wagon 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
There are no adjustements for height, lumbar or tilt for the passenger in any of the available trim levels. We would have bought this car new from the dealer otherwise. see full Subaru Outback review |
2010 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD |
One complaint is the hard, short driver's seat. I use a gel cushion. I had after market leather installed. see full Subaru Outback review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
A little tight in the left portion of the footwell; small dead pedal. see full Subaru Outback review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Footroom too short. see full Subaru Outback review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
not long enough for a 6 foot 2 inch frame but I manage see full Subaru Outback review |