Hyundai Kona (2019) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2015) Specs

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2019 Hyundai Kona and 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2019	2015
Model	Hyundai Kona	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	turbocharged 1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 175 hp@5500 195 lb-ft@1500	2.5L I4 DOHC-4v 196 hp@6300 186 lb-ft@4400
Transmission	7-speed automated manual	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	102.4 in	107.8 in	-5.4 in
Length	164.0 in	191.5 in	-27.5 in
Width	70.9 in	73.0 in	-2.1 in
Height	61.0 in	57.6 in	3.4 in
Curb Weight	3043 lb.	3393 lb.	-350 lb.
Fuel Capacity	13.2 gal.	18.5 gal.	-5.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	39.6 in	39.0 in	0.6 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	55.5 in	57.5 in	-2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.3 in	55.0 in	-1.7 in
Legroom, Row 1	41.5 in	42.1 in	-0.6 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.8 in	37.5 in	0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	54.5 in	57.1 in	-2.6 in
Hip Room, Row 2	52.2 in	54.3 in	-2.1 in
Legroom, Row 2	34.6 in	36.8 in	-2.2 in
Total Legroom	76.1 in (over 2 rows)	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	-2.8 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	19.2 ft³	16.3 ft³	2.9 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	45.8 ft³	16.3 ft³	29.5 ft³

2019 Hyundai Kona Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	Hyundai packaged the Kona fairly efficiently, but only so much was possible given the crossover's compact exterior dimensions. At 5-9 I can barely sit behind someone else my height, my knees nearly touching the front seat back. Put taller people in the front seats, and the rear seat would become viable only for small adults and children. The Honda HR-V has a much roomier rear seat (but much less comfortable front seats, at least for me, as their headrests jut too far forward). Most other competitors fall between the two. One exception: the Mazda CX-3 has an even tighter rear seat than the Kona. For those who fit, the Kona's rear seat is mounted comfortably high off the floor. see full Hyundai Kona review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2019 Hyundai Kona.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	Chevrolet's designers styled the new Malibu's instrument panel to appear low and out of the way, such that the front seat feels especially roomy and the view forward seems more open than in most competitors, including the Kia (the instrument panel in which seems significantly higher and more imposing). In the tested car, which had every option except the panoramic sunroof, headroom was so abundant I could have worn a fedora. The Kia Optima might have as much front headroom when similarly without a sunroof. The official specs, which often don't reflect real world differences, suggest it should have even more than the Malibu. But you cannot get a highly equipped Optima without the sunroof, as it's part of a large package on the SX and standard on the SX Limited. Though the Malibu's windshield is relatively large, you won't find outward visibility among the reasons to buy one. The Chevrolet's front pillars remain on the thick side, its instrument panel is considerably deeper than the Kia's, and the view to the sides and rear also could be more open. In the Optima, the view to the sides is more open but that to the rear is not. I did find the Cherolet's front seats more form-fitting and comfortable than the Optima's. The Kia's quilted seats aren't as cushy as they appear. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

2015 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

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