Model Year | 2008 | 2014 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Beetle | |
Engine | 3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5300 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 | 100.0 in | 12.3 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. | 3104 lb. | 576 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 |
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 |
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
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 |
2014 Volkswagen Beetle Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |