Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu 2012 Toyota Highlander Toyota Highlander 2014

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Chevrolet Malibu (2012) vs. Toyota Highlander (2014) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu and 2014 Toyota Highlander specs.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu and 2014 Toyota Highlander Specifications

Model Year 2012 2014  
Model Chevrolet Malibu Toyota Highlander  
Engine 2.4L I4 Hybrid
DOHC-4v
182 hp@6700
172 lb-ft@4900
3.5L V6 Hybrid
DOHC-4v
231 hp@5800
215 lb-ft@4800
 
Transmission 6-speed shiftable automatic CVT  
Drivetrain FWD AWD  
Body 4dr Sedan 4dr SUV  
      Difference
Wheelbase 112.3 in 109.8 in 2.5 in
Length 191.8 in 191.1 in 0.7 in
Width 70.3 in 75.8 in -5.5 in
Height 57.1 in 68.1 in -11 in
Curb Weight 3620 lb. 4860 lb. -1240 lb.
Fuel Capacity 16.0 gal. 19.2 gal. -3.2 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 39.4 in 40.7 in -1.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 55.9 in 59.3 in -3.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1 53.0 in 57.2 in -4.2 in
Legroom, Row 1 42.2 in 44.2 in -2 in
Headroom, Row 2 37.2 in 39.9 in -2.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 53.9 in 59.6 in -5.7 in
Hip Room, Row 2 52.1 in 57.1 in -5 in
Legroom, Row 2 37.6 in 38.4 in -0.8 in
Headroom, Row 3 0.0 in 35.9 in -35.9 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) 110.3 in (over 3 rows) -30.5 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 15.1 ft3 13.8 ft3 1.3 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 15.1 42.3 ft3 -27.2
Cargo Volume, Maximum 15.1 ft3 83.7 ft3 -68.6 ft3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
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
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2014 Toyota Highlander

2014 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
Toyota replaced the 2013 Highlander's rear struts with control arms to enable a three-inch-wider third-row seat, and then used the extra space to cram in a third seating position. So if you need seats for eight people, only the Highlander will do in this threesome. A top-of-the-line Santa Fe only seats six. Other eight-pass options include the Honda Pilot and GM's large crossovers. But those three people best be small, as the Highlander doesn't have nearly as much rear legroom as the Pathfinder or the Santa Fe. To fit children of even middling size in the third row it's necessary to slide the second row well forward. The second row seat cushion is mounted too low for adult comfort. The Nissan's second row suffers from a similar shortcoming, but the Hyundai's does not. see full Toyota Highlander review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2014 Toyota Highlander

2014 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Perfect for two car seats. Really neat trick - the middle seat for the 2nd row rolls up into the center console. I did not remove it nor attempt to sit in it but that does make the 3rd row more likely to be used for those with car seats. I did not attempt to sit in the 3rd row (looked at it before folding into the floor for cargo space for the entire trip) so cannot opine on it. Use at your own risk. see full Toyota Highlander review
 
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