Model Year | 2011 | 2012 | |
Model | Kia Forte | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 156 hp@6200 144 lb-ft@4300 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 112.3 in | -8 in |
Length | 178.3 in | 191.8 in | -13.5 in |
Width | 69.9 in | 70.3 in | -0.4 in |
Height | 57.5 in | 57.1 in | 0.4 in |
Curb Weight | 2707 lb. | 3645 lb. | -938 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 13.7 gal. | 16.0 gal. | -2.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.0 in | 39.4 in | 0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.7 in | 55.9 in | -0.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.0 in | 53.0 in | 0 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.3 in | 42.2 in | 1.1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 37.2 in | 0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.7 in | 53.9 in | 0.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.3 in | 52.1 in | 1.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.0 in | 37.6 in | -2.6 in |
Total Legroom | 78.3 in (over 2 rows) | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | -1.5 in |
Cargo Volume | 14.7 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | -0.4 ft3 |
2011 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Plenty of room, indeed there may be too much room as it is a bit of a reach to unlock the passenger side door, almost impossible to adjust the passenger door mirror and lower the passenger window? Forget it. Plenty of elbow room. see full Kia Forte review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
My Jazz Bass, in its case, fits on the floor between the front and rear seats. Just like the front seats, there is plenty of room for two and adequate room for three. see full Kia Forte review |
2011 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I feel the seat is to far away from the wheel and the pedals are angled to steeply. The dead pedal is perfect though. see full Kia Forte review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
too small and too tight. see full Kia Forte review |
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 |
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 |