Chevrolet Malibu (2015) vs. Volkswagen Jetta (2014) Specs

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2015 Chevrolet Malibu and 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Specifications

Model Year	2015	2014
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Volkswagen Jetta
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000	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	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	2,738 mm	2,652 mm	0 mm
Length	4,864 mm	4,628 mm	0 mm
Width	1,854 mm	1,778 mm	0 mm
Height	1,463 mm	1,453 mm	0 mm
Curb Weight	1,649 kg	1,432 kg	0 kg
Fuel Capacity	70 L	55 L	15 L
Headroom, Row 1	991 mm	970 mm	21 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 1	1,461 mm	1,402 mm	0 mm
Hip Room, Row 1	1,397 mm	0 mm	1 mm
Legroom, Row 1	1,069 mm	1,046 mm	0 mm
Headroom, Row 2	953 mm	942 mm	11 mm
Shoulder Room, Row 2	1,450 mm	1,361 mm	0 mm
Hip Room, Row 2	1,379 mm	0 mm	1 mm
Legroom, Row 2	935 mm	968 mm	-33 mm
Total Legroom	2,004 mm (over 2 rows)	2,014 mm (over 2 rows)	0 mm
Cargo Volume	462 L	439 L	23 L

2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	Chevrolet's designers styled the new Malibu's instrument panel to appear low and out of the way, such that the front seat feels especially roomy and the view forward seems more open than in most competitors, including the Kia (the instrument panel in which seems significantly higher and more imposing). In the tested car, which had every option except the panoramic sunroof, headroom was so abundant I could have worn a fedora. The Kia Optima might have as much front headroom when similarly without a sunroof. The official specs, which often don't reflect real world differences, suggest it should have even more than the Malibu. But you cannot get a highly equipped Optima without the sunroof, as it's part of a large package on the SX and standard on the SX Limited. Though the Malibu's windshield is relatively large, you won't find outward visibility among the reasons to buy one. The Chevrolet's front pillars remain on the thick side, its instrument panel is considerably deeper than the Kia's, and the view to the sides and rear also could be more open. In the Optima, the view to the sides is more open but that to the rear is not. I did find the Cherolet's front seats more form-fitting and comfortable than the Optima's. The Kia's quilted seats aren't as cushy as they appear. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2015 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 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

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta.

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