Model Year | 2011 | 2013 | |
Model | Ford Flex | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | turbocharged 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 355 hp@5500 350 lb-ft@1500 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@5200 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 117.9 in | 107.8 in | 10.1 in |
Length | 202.3 in | 191.5 in | 10.8 in |
Width | 75.9 in | 73.0 in | 2.9 in |
Height | 67.6 in | 57.6 in | 10 in |
Curb Weight | 4839 lb. | 3635 lb. | 1204 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 19.2 gal. | 18.5 gal. | 0.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 41.8 in | 39.0 in | 2.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 58.4 in | 57.5 in | 0.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.4 in | 55.0 in | 0.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.8 in | 42.1 in | -1.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 40.5 in | 37.5 in | 3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 57.1 in | 57.1 in | 0 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 55.0 in | 54.3 in | 0.7 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 44.3 in | 36.8 in | 7.5 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 38.7 in | 0.0 in | 38.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 50.8 in | 0.0 in | 50.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 41.1 in | 0.0 in | 41.1 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 33.4 in | 0.0 in | 33.4 in |
Total Legroom | 118.5 in (over 3 rows) | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 39.6 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 19.4 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 3.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 45.0 ft3 | 16.3 | 28.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 86.7 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 70.4 ft3 |
2011 Ford Flex Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 355hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The seating throughout the vehicle is extremely roomy. Adults can fit comfortably in both the second and third row seats. The driver and passenger seats are also extremely comfortable. see full Ford Flex review |
2010 | 4dr SUV 262-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD |
everything see full Ford Flex review |
2010 | 4dr SUV 262-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD |
Very comfortable and easy to adjust front seats with good materials, good controls, and sufficient room to stretch out your legs. see full Ford Flex review |
2010 | 4dr SUV 262-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD |
Tons of rear leg room. Can accommodate basketball players see full Ford Flex review |
2010 | 4dr SUV 262-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD |
Plenty of room in the first and second rows. The third row will fit an adult, but is better for the kids. see full Ford Flex review |
2011 Ford Flex Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 355hp 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Took awhile to think of something that could be improved but a bit larger area in the front drivers footwell would be appreciated. That's about it. see full Ford Flex review |
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
2012 | 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 |
2013 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 |
2013 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 |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I'm 6'4" tall and 60 years old. I have a tough time getting in and out due to the low roof. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |