Honda Accord (2017) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2012) Specs

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2017 Honda Accord and 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2017	2012
Model	Honda Accord	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	2.0L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 143 hp@6200 129 lb-ft@4000	2.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 182 hp@6700 172 lb-ft@4900
Transmission	1-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	109.3 in	112.3 in	-3 in
Length	192.5 in	191.8 in	0.7 in
Width	72.8 in	70.3 in	2.5 in
Height	57.7 in	57.1 in	0.6 in
Curb Weight	3483 lb.	3620 lb.	-137 lb.
Fuel Capacity	17.2 gal.	16.0 gal.	1.2 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.1 in	39.4 in	-0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	58.6 in	55.9 in	2.7 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.6 in	53.0 in	2.6 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.5 in	42.2 in	0.3 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.5 in	37.2 in	0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	56.5 in	53.9 in	2.6 in
Hip Room, Row 2	54.7 in	52.1 in	2.6 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.5 in	37.6 in	0.9 in
Total Legroom	81 in (over 2 rows)	79.8 in (over 2 rows)	1.2 in
Cargo Volume	15.8 ft³	15.1 ft³	0.7 ft³

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Honda Accord

2017 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2018	Back in the day, Hondas weren't roomy by any absolute yardstick, but were surprisingly capacious considering their small exterior dimensions. Honda knew how to make the most of a small package. The Accord grew dramatically over the years. The second-generation 1982 sedan that put the model on the map (literally, they were everywhere) was 173.6 inches long and 65.0 inches wide, on a 96.5-inch wheelbase. The eighth-generation 2008 Accord was over 20 inches longer and 7.7 inches wider, on a 110.2-inch wheelbase. For the ninth-generation Accord, Honda regained enough of its former space efficiency skills to maintain interior space while slightly shrinking the car's exterior. For the tenth-generation car, they've pulled off a magic trick. Even though the new Accord is 0.3 inches less lengthy, Honda managed to increase total legroom by 1.7 inches. A two-inch wheelbase stretch contributed; to reduce overall length Honda trimmed the car's overhangs. Rear seat passengers now enjoy over 40 inches of rear legroom, a dramatic 2.4 inches more than in the Camry. They will feel like they're in a limo. What's the catch? Well, those rear seat occupants best not have tall torsos. The lower (by six-tenths of an inch), sleeker roof line cuts into rear headroom. The Camry provides another 0.7 inches for the heads of rear passengers. This might not sound like much until you have a rear seat passenger a bit over six feet in height. Also, Honda only managed as much rear headroom as it did by positioning the rear seat cushion somewhat low to the floor. Some--but not many--competitors have more comfortably positioned rear seat cushions. I'll note here that the new Accord also has a larger trunk than last year's Accord, the Camry, and every other competitor--but most are within a cubic foot. I'd trade a cubic foot for the interior trunk handle they appear to have considered, then left off the car. Keep the car clean or you'll dirty a hand closing the lid. see full Honda Accord review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2017 Honda Accord

2017 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2016	4dr Sedan 278-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD	There is not quite enough adjustment in the front seat for me. I feel there is an un-natural curve in the front seat that I can't remove with the lumbar support. I sit on a folded towel to get the curve of the seat in the right place for my back. I'm 5'11" if that puts it into perspective for you. The steering wheel should telescope out more for optimal arm position and the orientation of the HUGE speedometer makes it get chopped in half by the steering wheel. No digital speedo readout on this model. Note that the touring gauges are a little different than the standard V6. see full Honda Accord review

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

2012 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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Good legroom. Hip room is alittle tight in this year's Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2012 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
2011	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	drivers seat is hard on my back, no matter how much I adjust...seems to be missing some foam on left side bolster...taking into dealer for possible replacement of seat cushion soon see full Chevrolet Malibu review

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