Kia Forte (2020) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2015) Specs

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2020 Kia Forte and 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2020	2015
Model	Kia Forte	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	turbocharged 1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 201 hp@6000 195 lb-ft@1500	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000
Transmission	7-speed automated manual	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	106.3 in	107.8 in	-1.5 in
Length	182.7 in	191.5 in	-8.8 in
Width	70.9 in	73.0 in	-2.1 in
Height	56.5 in	57.6 in	-1.1 in
Curb Weight	3012 lb.	3635 lb.	-623 lb.
Fuel Capacity	14.0 gal.	18.5 gal.	-4.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	38.8 in	39.0 in	-0.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	56.1 in	57.5 in	-1.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.0 in	55.0 in	-2 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.2 in	42.1 in	0.1 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.5 in	37.5 in	0 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	55.3 in	57.1 in	-1.8 in
Hip Room, Row 2	51.1 in	54.3 in	-3.2 in
Legroom, Row 2	35.7 in	36.8 in	-1.1 in
Total Legroom	77.9 in (over 2 rows)	78.9 in (over 2 rows)	-1 in
Cargo Volume	15.3 ft³	16.3 ft³	-1 ft³

2020 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2019	I found both rows of seats comfortable in the Kia. Outward visibility from the driver seat is pretty good, though the windshield is raked a bit much for my taste. Rear seat passengers enjoy a cushion comfortably high off the floor (unlike the Civic's) and a relatively open view forward. I personally have issues with the shape of the front seats in compact Hondas. Both their lumbar bulges and their headrests just too far forward. Try thoroughly before buying. see full Kia Forte review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2020 Kia Forte.

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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