Model Year | 2012 | 2014 | |
Model | Dodge Grand Caravan | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | 3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 283 hp@6400 260 lb-ft@4400 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Minivan, ext. | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 121.2 in | 107.8 in | 13.4 in |
Length | 202.5 in | 191.5 in | 11 in |
Width | 78.7 in | 73.0 in | 5.7 in |
Height | 67.9 in | 57.6 in | 10.3 in |
Curb Weight | 4510 lb. | 3635 lb. | 875 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 20.0 gal. | 18.5 gal. | 1.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.8 in | 39.0 in | 0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 63.7 in | 57.5 in | 6.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 58.4 in | 55.0 in | 3.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.7 in | 42.1 in | -1.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.3 in | 37.5 in | 1.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 64.1 in | 57.1 in | 7 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 65.0 in | 54.3 in | 10.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 36.5 in | 36.8 in | -0.3 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 37.9 in | 0.0 in | 37.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 62.0 in | 0.0 in | 62 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 48.7 in | 0.0 in | 48.7 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 32.7 in | 0.0 in | 32.7 in |
Total Legroom | 109.9 in (over 3 rows) | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 31 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 33.0 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 16.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 83.3 ft3 | 16.3 | 67 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 143.8 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 127.5 ft3 |
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 283-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I dislike the current emphasis on hard seats (and this applies to most other brands as well- Toyotas and Hondas are the worst). Enthusiast magazines can rave all they want about great support, etc, but the softer seats in friend's '92 Caravan are more comfortable than these in my 2013. I have an SXT model, which is sort of mid level in Grand Caravans, and it does have a power seat. However, that is an OPTION, and it should be standard above the SE model. see full Dodge Grand Caravan review |
2012 | 4dr Minivan, ext. 283-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Nice car, but front seats could be better. Close to a deal breaker. see full Dodge Grand Caravan review |
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 |