Chevrolet Malibu (2014) vs. Volkswagen Passat (2013) Specs

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2014 Chevrolet Malibu and 2013 Volkswagen Passat Specifications

Model Year	2014	2013
Model	Chevrolet Malibu	Volkswagen Passat
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000	3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 280 hp@6200 258 lb-ft@2500
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed automated manual
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	107.8 in	110.4 in	-2.6 in
Length	191.5 in	191.6 in	-0.1 in
Width	73.0 in	72.2 in	0.8 in
Height	57.6 in	58.5 in	-0.9 in
Curb Weight	3635 lb.	3446 lb.	189 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	18.5 gal.	0 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.0 in	38.3 in	0.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.5 in	56.9 in	0.6 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.0 in	0.0 in	55 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.1 in	42.4 in	-0.3 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.5 in	37.8 in	-0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	57.1 in	57.0 in	0.1 in
Hip Room, Row 2	54.3 in	0.0 in	54.3 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.8 in	39.1 in	-2.3 in
Total Legroom	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	81.5 in (over 2 rows)	-2.6 in
Cargo Volume	16.3 ft³	15.9 ft³	0.4 ft³

2014 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	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

2014 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 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

2013 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2012	Volkswagen's research must have found that Americans highly value rear legroom, because the Passat has an abundance of it. Unless you're an NBA center you'll have plenty of room to stretch out in the back of this sedan. see full Volkswagen Passat review

2013 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	SEL Premium seating is fantastic. Definitely worth the cost of the upgrade over the mid-grade seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review
2013	4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	rear seat room is exceptional. can handle long-legged folks with ease and those with large shoe sizes. enter and exiting with larger folks not a problem either. see full Volkswagen Passat review
2012	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Older teenagers like the extra room see full Volkswagen Passat review
2012	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	HUGE amount of rear legroom! see full Volkswagen Passat review
2012	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Tons of room while driving. I am 6'4" and have plenty of leg and headroom. see full Volkswagen Passat review

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