Model Year | 2014 | 2017 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Toyota Prius | |
Engine | 2.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 182 hp@6700 172 lb-ft@4900 |
1.8L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 95 hp@5200 105 lb-ft@3600 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 106.3 in | 1.5 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 178.7 in | 12.8 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 69.3 in | 3.7 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 58.1 in | -0.5 in |
Curb Weight | 3602 lb. | 3075 lb. | 527 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 11.3 gal. | 7.2 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 39.4 in | -0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 55.0 in | 2.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 53.4 in | 1.6 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 43.2 in | -1.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 37.4 in | 0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 53.0 in | 4.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 51.9 in | 2.4 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 33.4 in | 3.4 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 76.6 in (over 2 rows) | 2.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 24.6 ft3 | -8.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 62.7 ft3 | -46.4 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 |
2017 Toyota Prius Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2016 | For a compact hatchback, the new Toyota Prius feels very roomy inside. It helps that the tall, sloping console of the third-generation Prius has been replaced by one with a much less intrusive (if also less sporty) design. The deep instrument panel is scooped out on top, while the windshield is large and distant. The view forward from the driver seat is very open, but anyone who isn't a goldfish will find it unusual. It's like driving a spaceship, in two senses. Or a small minivan. The Ford C-MAX has a crossover-like driving position and the most comfortable seats. The front seats in the Prius are nicely shaped, but less firm. Those in the Volt could use more contour. I found the Civic's front seats somewhat uncomfortable. The Volt feels far tighter inside. Up front the windshield seems far smaller than that in the Prius. The back seat, while its cushion is comfortably positioned, threatens to induce claustrophobia. Both the Prius and the Volt have restricted visbility to the sides and especially to the rear. The view is much better from the driver seat in the C-MAX. see full Toyota Prius review |
2017 Toyota Prius Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Rear seat passengers in the Prius have far more knee room than those in the Volt, and feel far less closed in. Despite a low-mounted seat cushion, though, headroom is limited. Rear seat passengers in the C-MAX enjoy a much more comfortably positioned seat cushion, significantly more headroom, and better outward visibility. see full Toyota Prius review |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2017 Toyota Prius.