Hyundai Sonata (2013) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2015) Specs

vs.

◆

2013 Hyundai Sonata and 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2013	2015
Model	Hyundai Sonata	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 274 hp@6000 269 lb-ft@1750	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 Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	110.0 in	107.8 in	2.2 in
Length	189.8 in	191.5 in	-1.7 in
Width	72.2 in	73.0 in	-0.8 in
Height	57.9 in	57.6 in	0.3 in
Curb Weight	3338 lb.	3635 lb.	-297 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	18.5 gal.	0 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.0 in	39.0 in	1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.9 in	57.5 in	0.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.2 in	55.0 in	0.2 in
Legroom, Row 1	45.5 in	42.1 in	3.4 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.8 in	37.5 in	0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	56.7 in	57.1 in	-0.4 in
Hip Room, Row 2	54.9 in	54.3 in	0.6 in
Legroom, Row 2	34.6 in	36.8 in	-2.2 in
Total Legroom	80.1 in (over 2 rows)	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	1.2 in
Cargo Volume	16.4 ft³	16.3 ft³	0.1 ft³

2013 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	According to the EPA's classification system, the Hyundai Sonata is actually a large car. You wouldn't guess this while sitting in the front seat. A steeply raked windshield and cockpit-like instrument panel design cut into actual roominess, and perceived roominess even more. The Sonata's firm front buckets could use more form-fitting contouring. Though not uncomfortable, they are the least comfortable buckets in this threesome. In the back seat, six-foot passengers' scalps might graze the headliner, but knee room is generous. There's a bit more room and a more comfortably padded and positioned rear seat cushion inside the Altima. But the Mazda6's rear seat is at least as low to the floor as the Sonata's and includes a couple inches less knee room. So the Hyundai has a slight edge over the Mazda. see full Hyundai Sonata review

2013 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	The front driver seat is supportive yet firm and the power adjustments guarantee you'll get the right driving position for you. The heated seat feature is great on a cold morning too. see full Hyundai Sonata review

2013 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Ride is comfortable but after about 2 or 3 hours, the leather seats get a bit hard on the butt. see full Hyundai Sonata review
2012	4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Have the Limited with leather heated seats. They are not as comfortable as expected. The seat bolsters are a little tight for my back side. see full Hyundai Sonata review

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

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans

See TrueDelta's information for all Hyundai models.