Hyundai Sonata (2016) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2015) Specs

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2016 Hyundai Sonata and 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2016	2015
Model	Hyundai Sonata	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 245 hp@6000 260 lb-ft@1350	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	110.4 in	107.8 in	2.6 in
Length	191.1 in	191.5 in	-0.4 in
Width	73.4 in	73.0 in	0.4 in
Height	58.1 in	57.6 in	0.5 in
Curb Weight	3492 lb.	3635 lb.	-143 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	18.5 gal.	0 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.4 in	39.0 in	1.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.9 in	57.5 in	0.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.3 in	55.0 in	0.3 in
Legroom, Row 1	45.5 in	42.1 in	3.4 in
Headroom, Row 2	38.0 in	37.5 in	0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	56.5 in	57.1 in	-0.6 in
Hip Room, Row 2	56.1 in	54.3 in	1.8 in
Legroom, Row 2	35.6 in	36.8 in	-1.2 in
Total Legroom	81.1 in (over 2 rows)	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	2.2 in
Cargo Volume	16.3 ft³	16.3 ft³	0 ft³

2016 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	According to the spec sheets, the Ford Fusion has nearly as much combined legroom as the new Sonata, which has an inch more than the old Sonata. But Ford cheats the specs. In reality, the Hyundai's rear seat has a few more inches of rear legroom than the Ford's, and about as much as you'll find in any competitor. Rear headroom is in shorter supply, but (again as in most competitors) should be sufficient for people up to six feet in height. The rear seat cushion is a little too low and level to provide optimal thigh support, but the space to stretch out largely compensates for this. You can get rear air vents to help cool this roomy rear seat, but only on the Limited and Sport 2.0T. see full Hyundai Sonata review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata.

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.