Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Mazda3 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu 2013

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Mazda Mazda3 (2012) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2013) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Mazda Mazda3 and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu specs.

2012 Mazda Mazda3 and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year 2012 2013  
Model Mazda Mazda3 Chevrolet Malibu  
Engine turbocharged
2.3L I4
DOHC-4v
263 hp@5500
280 lb-ft@3000
turbocharged
2.0L I4
DOHC-4v
259 hp@5300
260 lb-ft@5200
 
Transmission 6-speed manual 6-speed shiftable automatic  
Drivetrain FWD FWD  
Body 4dr Sedan 4dr Sedan  
      Difference
Wheelbase 103.9 in 107.8 in -3.9 in
Length 180.9 in 191.5 in -10.6 in
Width 69.1 in 73.0 in -3.9 in
Height 57.9 in 57.6 in 0.3 in
Curb Weight 3257 lb. 3635 lb. -378 lb.
Fuel Capacity 14.5 gal. 18.5 gal. -4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 38.1 in 39.0 in -0.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 54.9 in 57.5 in -2.6 in
Hip Room, Row 1 53.7 in 55.0 in -1.3 in
Legroom, Row 1 42.0 in 42.1 in -0.1 in
Headroom, Row 2 37.4 in 37.5 in -0.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 54.0 in 57.1 in -3.1 in
Hip Room, Row 2 52.2 in 54.3 in -2.1 in
Legroom, Row 2 36.2 in 36.8 in -0.6 in
Total Legroom 78.2 in (over 2 rows) 78.9 in (over 2 rows) -0.7 in
Cargo Volume 11.8 ft3 16.3 ft3 -4.5 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Mazda Mazda3

2012 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Nice contoured, form fitting seats offer plenty of support, quite comfortable. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2012 Mazda Mazda3 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2013 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Rear seat a bit tight, needs more room back there. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2012 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Rear seat is rather tight, worse than my old Protege5 see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2012 4dr Hatch 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
It's a joke. You can't fit anything in the back seat aside from children and/or groceries/shopping. Putting an adult back there will require a sincere apology, and possibly a written note and gift bottle of wine. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2012 4dr Sedan 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Non of either if the front seats are all the way back, but rear seat room is NOT a factor for me. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2012 4dr Sedan 155-horsepower 2.0L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I bought this car to replace a 2004 Mazda 6i Hatchback that I truly loved (got rear-ended and totaled). I did not like the 2012 Mazda 6 at all (or the milage it got), so I went the 3 with Skyactiv. The rear seat and rear legroom is just a bit too small. If it were a tad larger, this would be a awesome car, but the great mileage I get offsets this to a certain degree. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2011 4dr Sedan 104-horsepower 1.6L I4
5-speed manual FWD
Seating room is borderline for 2 adults, particularly leg room. 3 adults virtually impossible. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
2011 4dr Sedan 167-horsepower 2.5L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
The Mazda3 is not a vehicle for transporting more than 2 people. The backseat is cramped for a full-size adult. However, when required, they will fit. see full Mazda Mazda3 review
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
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 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Hatchbacks.
See TrueDelta's information for all Mazda models.