Chevrolet Malibu (2012) vs. Volkswagen Jetta (2012) Specs

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu and 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Specifications

Model Year	2012	2012
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Volkswagen Jetta
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	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	112.3 in	104.4 in	7.9 in
Length	191.8 in	182.2 in	9.6 in
Width	70.3 in	70.0 in	0.3 in
Height	57.1 in	57.2 in	-0.1 in
Curb Weight	3645 lb.	3157 lb.	488 lb.
Fuel Capacity	16.0 gal.	14.5 gal.	1.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.4 in	38.2 in	1.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.9 in	55.2 in	0.7 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.0 in	0.0 in	53 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.2 in	41.2 in	1 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.2 in	37.1 in	0.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	53.9 in	53.6 in	0.3 in
Hip Room, Row 2	52.1 in	0.0 in	52.1 in
Legroom, Row 2	37.6 in	38.1 in	-0.5 in
Total Legroom	79.8 in (over 2 rows)	79.3 in (over 2 rows)	0.5 in
Cargo Volume	15.1 ft³	15.5 ft³	-0.4 ft³

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
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

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
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
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
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

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The Jetta is a little longer than the ILX (182 vs. 179 inches), and all of the additional inches appear to have gone into the rear seat. While the average adult will barely fit into the back seat of the Acura (those over 5-9 will be on close terms with the headliner), the Jetta has significantly more rear headroom and more rear legroom than the average midsize sedan, much less the average compact. If you like a roomy rear seat, you'll love the Jetta. Room is one thing, comfort another. The rear seat feels overly hard, and neither the cushion nor the backrest was set at a comfortable angle for me. Clearly some German engineer found these angles optimal, though. So maybe it's just me. see full Volkswagen Jetta review

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	4dr Sedan 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	While the Jetta is extremely roomy and comfortable, the center console is slightly too close and can interfere with the driver's right knee and calf. see full Volkswagen Jetta review

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