Model Year | 2014 | 2013 | |
Model | Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Tiguan | |
Engine | 2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 196 hp@6300 186 lb-ft@4400 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.8 in | 102.5 in | 5.3 in |
Length | 191.5 in | 174.5 in | 17 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 71.2 in | 1.8 in |
Height | 57.6 in | 65.6 in | -8 in |
Curb Weight | 3393 lb. | 3404 lb. | -11 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 16.8 gal. | 1.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.0 in | 39.1 in | -0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.5 in | 56.2 in | 1.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.0 in | 0.0 in | 55 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.1 in | 40.1 in | 2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.5 in | 39.0 in | -1.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 55.0 in | 2.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.3 in | 0.0 in | 54.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 35.8 in | 1 in |
Total Legroom | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 75.9 in (over 2 rows) | 3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.3 ft3 | 23.8 ft3 | -7.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.3 ft3 | 56.1 ft3 | -39.8 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 Tiguan Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | Based on the specs, the Tiguan suffers from insufficient dimensions. It's 3.6 inches less lengthy than the Escape, and as a result has an inch less legroom. And the Ford falls near the bottom of the segment in this spec. In the real world, though, the Tiguan's rear seat feels roomier and more comfortable than the Escape's and in the ballpark with the class leaders. A relatively large seat bottom is high enough off the floor to provide adults with thigh support. The rear seat back is more comfortably shaped than the compact crossover norm, and reclines. One nit: hard plastic isn't the most comfortable surface for a rear armrest. see full Volkswagen Tiguan review |
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Outstanding. I'm 6'0 & only have the seat 1/2 way back. Lots of front & rear seat room. see full Volkswagen Tiguan review |