Model Year | 2007 | 2017 | |
Model | Mazda Mazda5 | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Minivan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.3 in | 111.4 in | -3.1 in |
Length | 181.5 in | 193.8 in | -12.3 in |
Width | 69.1 in | 73.0 in | -3.9 in |
Height | 64.2 in | 57.7 in | 6.5 in |
Curb Weight | 3333 lb. | 3086 lb. | 247 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 13.0 gal. | 2.9 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.7 in | 39.1 in | 1.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.5 in | 58.5 in | -3 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 52.9 in | 54.1 in | -1.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 40.7 in | 42.0 in | -1.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.4 in | 37.5 in | 1.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.6 in | 57.1 in | -1.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 58.3 in | 53.4 in | 4.9 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.2 in | 38.1 in | -2.9 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 37.1 in | 0.0 in | 37.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 49.2 in | 0.0 in | 49.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 40.9 in | 0.0 in | 40.9 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 30.7 in | 0.0 in | 30.7 in |
Total Legroom | 106.6 in (over 3 rows) | 80.1 in (over 2 rows) | 26.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 11.3 ft3 | 15.8 ft3 | -4.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 44.4 ft3 | 15.8 | 28.6 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 70.9 ft3 | 15.8 ft3 | 55.1 ft3 |
2007 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
One of the smallest vehicles with seating for 6. Going to a full size minivan removes the option for a manual transmission, severely reduces visibility and adds too much weight. SUVs are just way too big see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Space for two kids or adult to sit comfortably - elderly father sits up straight and can access easily with sliding doors. Pop up seats deal with short term travel with friends/teammates. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Ample space for such a small exterior. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
3rd row in a "car" is nice - we always have the occasional 3rd or 4th child and like that they are somewhat temporarily available. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2007 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Rear seats fit adults or kids in car seats adequately, especially for an economy car. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tons of rear seat room, and the second row seats can slide back/forth and recline. Third row is reserved for small children, however. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
The rear doors are the sliding type, which is the most practical (and brilliant) type of rear doors for children. I also like the fact that the middle seats recline and slide, they have storage under the cushions, and a third row of usable seating! see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Great, height adjustable driver seat, with good lumbar support. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Second row seats have lots of room, can slide fore and aft, and can recline. The passenger seats up in a chair-like posture, with great support for thighs. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Can easily and comfortably seat six (6!) adults in a small package with storage space remaining. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2007 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
With the seat all back, there is not much room for anyone over six feet tall. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2006 | 4dr Minivan 157-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tight fit once the front seats are slid back. Third row is useless if the second row is slid back. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2017 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 |
None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu.