Model Year | 2006 | 2008 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | 3.9L V6 OHV-2v 240 hp@5800 241 lb-ft@2800 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 280 hp@6200 265 lb-ft@2750 |
|
Transmission | 4-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 106.7 in | -0.4 in |
Length | 188.3 in | 188.2 in | 0.1 in |
Width | 69.9 in | 71.7 in | -1.8 in |
Height | 57.5 in | 58.0 in | -0.5 in |
Curb Weight | 3315 lb. | 3576 lb. | -261 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.3 gal. | 18.5 gal. | -2.2 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.6 in | 38.4 in | 1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 56.7 in | 55.7 in | 1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.2 in | 0.0 in | 53.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.9 in | 41.4 in | 0.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.6 in | 37.8 in | -0.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.1 in | 54.6 in | 1.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.4 in | 0.0 in | 52.4 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.5 in | 37.7 in | 0.8 in |
Total Legroom | 80.4 in (over 2 rows) | 79.1 in (over 2 rows) | 1.3 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.4 ft3 | 14.2 ft3 | 1.2 ft3 |
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
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 |
2005 | 4dr Hatch 200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
When have you seen a car with rear seats that both recline and adjust back & forth?!! On top of that, they people in the back get a glass roof! see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2005 | 4dr Hatch 200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Good for a baby seat and full-size humans. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2005 | 4dr Hatch 200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Outstanding - seat is adjustable fore and aft, had recline feature, each side folds flat to increase storage space. Glass panels in the roof add to the feeling of spaciousness. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Passat provided more interior space especially in the rear than the Audi A4 see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Extremely comfortable front drivers seat w/ 12 way electronic adjustment. Able to find perfect driving position. Very little fatigue even after 12 - 14 hours of driving (taking breaks for food / gas of course). Lumbar adjusts both up/down and in/out. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of rear legroom and space for car seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Compared to other sporty wagons (BMW, Subaru) the Passat has about 3" more rear leg room - enough to put my full-size parents and/or friends in the back seat without making them do contortions. Easier to get a child in and out of a rear safety seat, too. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This version of the Passat can easily fit 3 across seating in the rear see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
More than large enough for American size bodies! see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Well bolstered seat, best seat heaters I ever had (have had Land Rovers and own a SAAB). see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 280-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
larger than chief competitors (BMW 3 series, Audi A4) see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
very restrictive space see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
No thigh support, not as comfortable as my 2000 Passat see full Volkswagen Passat review |