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2009 Mazda Mazda3 and 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications
| Model Year | 2009 | 2012 | |
| Model | Mazda Mazda3 | Chevrolet Malibu | |
| Engine | |||
| Transmission | |||
| Drivetrain | |||
| Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
| Difference | |||
| Wheelbase | 103.9 in | 112.3 in | -8.4 in |
| Length | 178.3 in | 191.8 in | -13.5 in |
| Width | 69.1 in | 70.3 in | -1.2 in |
| Height | 57.7 in | 57.1 in | 0.6 in |
| Curb Weight | 2758 lb. | 3415 lb. | -657 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 16.0 gal. | -1.5 gal. |
| Headroom, Row 1 | 39.1 in | 39.4 in | -0.3 in |
| Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 55.9 in | -1 in |
| Hip Room, Row 1 | 54.9 in | 53.0 in | 1.9 in |
| Legroom, Row 1 | 41.9 in | 42.2 in | -0.3 in |
| Headroom, Row 2 | 37.4 in | 37.2 in | 0.2 in |
| Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.0 in | 53.9 in | 0.1 in |
| Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.9 in | 52.1 in | 1.8 in |
| Legroom, Row 2 | 36.3 in | 37.6 in | -1.3 in |
| Total Legroom | 78.2 in (over 2 rows) | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | -1.6 in |
| Cargo Volume | 11.4 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | -3.7 ft3 |
What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2009 Mazda Mazda3
| 2009 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2010 | 4dr Hatch 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Tilt and telescopic wheel plus the adjustments with the drivers seat had me in a very good/comfortable driving position. Being comfortable allows me to concentrate on the drive ahead instead of being distracted by squirming around in the seat. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2010 | 4dr Hatch 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Being a 5 door hatch, there is plenty of room back for 2 full size adults or 3 kids/teenagers. The versatility of the hatch makes it feel like a Mini SUV. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2010 | 4dr Hatch 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Very comfortable and form fitting. My butt and back feel supported. Leg room is great. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2009 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Kids easily able to get in/out of back (4-doors) and often able to take co-workers to lunch (both of which is much more of a hassle with 2-doors). see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of leg room even with the seat all the way back see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2009 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2010 | 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Rear seat space can be tight see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Not enough comfort-room for my son (which meant that the Mazda failed the test). see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2008 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tight and uncomfortable as are most other cars in this class. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Too cramped for an adult see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2008 | 4dr Hatch 156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Well, when the front seats are back, there is little leg room in the back seat -- to be expected in a compact. But, the rear seats are very comfortable and can handle a wider person. see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
| 2008 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
good for a small child, but i would not want to ride back there for long see full Mazda Mazda3 review |
TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
| 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 | |
What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
| 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 |
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Hatchbacks.
See TrueDelta's information for all Mazda models.
