Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu 2008 Volkswagen Beetle Volkswagen Beetle 2013

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Chevrolet Malibu (2008) vs. Volkswagen Beetle (2013) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and 2013 Volkswagen Beetle specs.

2008 Chevrolet Malibu and 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Specifications

Model Year 2008 2013  
Model Chevrolet Malibu Volkswagen Beetle  
Engine 3.6L V6
DOHC-4v
252 hp@6300
251 lb-ft@3200
turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
200 hp@5100
207 lb-ft@1700
 
Transmission 6-speed shiftable automatic 6-speed automated manual  
Drivetrain FWD FWD  
Body 4dr Sedan 2dr Hatch  
      Difference
Wheelbase 112.3 in 99.9 in 12.4 in
Length 191.8 in 168.4 in 23.4 in
Width 70.3 in 71.2 in -0.9 in
Height 57.1 in 58.5 in -1.4 in
Curb Weight 3680 lb. 3089 lb. 591 lb.
Fuel Capacity 16.0 gal. 14.5 gal. 1.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 39.4 in 39.4 in 0 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 55.9 in 55.3 in 0.6 in
Hip Room, Row 1 53.0 in 0.0 in 53 in
Legroom, Row 1 42.2 in 41.3 in 0.9 in
Headroom, Row 2 37.2 in 37.1 in 0.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 53.9 in 49.0 in 4.9 in
Hip Room, Row 2 52.1 in 0.0 in 52.1 in
Legroom, Row 2 37.6 in 31.4 in 6.2 in
Total Legroom 79.8 in (over 2 rows) 72.7 in (over 2 rows) 7.1 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 15.1 ft3 15.4 ft3 -0.3 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 15.1 ft3 29.9 ft3 -14.8 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

2008 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
2012 Back in the 1960s VW entreated Americans to "think small." Lately, though, the German manufacturers cars have been getting bigger and bigger. The latest redesign added over two inches to the car's length (now 168 inches) and over two inches to its width (now a midsize-like 71.2 inches. Compared to the 146-by-66-inch, 2,822-pound Mini and the 140-by-64-inch, 2,434-pound Fiat, the 3,340-pound Beetle TDI convertible is a big, heavy car. As noted earlier, solidity and ride quality benefit from this additional bulk. But rear seat room does not. Sure, the Beetle Convertible's rear seat is more viable than the MINI's, but bars to clear rarely come lower. The Fiat is in the same (adults-in-a-pinch) ballpark. In addition to the space shortage, the VW's rear seat back is uncomfortably upright. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 0 The rear seat is also surprisingly roomy. My 6'2" father was able to sit comfortably in the back for ~30 min hops around town. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
2013 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The back seat, if you could really call it that, leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe another 3 in. That being said it fits a car seat with my 6' frame in the front seat ahead of it, so it gets the job done. Once the top goes down the interior space seems adequate. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
2012 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
I love my Beetle, but the rear seat legspace is not so good. For me its no problem at all, since normally only my wife and i drive the car, but when you normally have to drive with 4 adults, it can become crampy at the back. If the driver and front passenger are not that tall, the rear legspace is quite good. Even the headspace is ok. see full Volkswagen Beetle review
 
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