Model Year | 2008 | 2021 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 2.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 164 hp@6400 159 lb-ft@5000 |
2.5L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 186 hp@6000 175 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 4-speed automatic | CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 112.3 in | 112.2 in | 0.1 in |
Length | 191.8 in | 194.9 in | -3.1 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 76.0 in | -5.7 in |
Height | 57.1 in | 68.1 in | -11 in |
Curb Weight | 3550 lb. | 4330 lb. | -780 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 17.9 gal. | -1.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.4 in | 41.2 in | -1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 59.0 in | -3.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 57.2 in | -4.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.2 in | 42.0 in | 0.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 39.4 in | -2.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 58.7 in | -4.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.1 in | 57.0 in | -4.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 41.0 in | -3.4 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 36.1 in | -36.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 45.6 in | -45.6 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 27.7 in | -27.7 in |
Total Legroom | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | 110.7 in (over 3 rows) | -30.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.1 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | -0.9 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 15.1 | 48.4 ft3 | -33.3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 15.1 ft3 | 84.3 ft3 | -69.2 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 |
2021 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
With each redesign (for 2008, 2014, and 2020) Toyota has enlarged the Highlander, yet the crossover's third-row seat remains uncomforably low and tight. For adults to be even passably comfortable in the way-back the second row must be slid forward, rendering legroom there also marginal. Some three-row crossovers have much roomier and more comfortable third-row seats. But if you want to be able to squeeze in eight people, Highlanders with a second-row bench can do this. Because they have significantly narrower third-row seats, the Ford Explorer and Kia Sorento cannot fit three people back there even in a pinch, so in hybrid form the former has a maximum capacity of seven people and the latter only six. (The Sorento PHEV will be able to seat seven.) This noted, if you want your adult passengers to have plenty of room, the practical capacity of each is four people. see full Toyota Highlander review |
2021 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2020 | 4dr SUV 295-horsepower 3.5L V6 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The 3rd row seating is just not for adults at all, and I'm not certain that children would be easy to fit back there as well. I'm not sure what Toyota was thinking, even making the 2020 longer didn't make any difference at all. My one complaint is it is just TOO SMALL! see full Toyota Highlander review |