Nissan Pathfinder (2006) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2017) Specs

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2006 Nissan Pathfinder and 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2006	2017
Model	Nissan Pathfinder	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	4.0L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@5600 291 lb-ft@4000	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@2000
Transmission	5-speed automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	RWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	112.2 in	111.4 in	0.8 in
Length	187.6 in	193.8 in	-6.2 in
Width	72.8 in	73.0 in	-0.2 in
Height	72.4 in	57.7 in	14.7 in
Curb Weight	4373 lb.	3388 lb.	985 lb.
Fuel Capacity	21.1 gal.	13.0 gal.	8.1 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.0 in	39.1 in	0.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	58.3 in	58.5 in	-0.2 in
Hip Room, Row 1	55.5 in	54.1 in	1.4 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.4 in	42.0 in	0.4 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.9 in	37.5 in	2.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	58.4 in	57.1 in	1.3 in
Hip Room, Row 2	57.6 in	53.4 in	4.2 in
Legroom, Row 2	34.2 in	38.1 in	-3.9 in
Headroom, Row 3	36.7 in	0.0 in	36.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	57.1 in	0.0 in	57.1 in
Hip Room, Row 3	44.0 in	0.0 in	44 in
Legroom, Row 3	28.1 in	0.0 in	28.1 in
Total Legroom	104.7 in (over 3 rows)	80.1 in (over 2 rows)	24.6 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	16.5 ft³	15.8 ft³	0.7 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	49.2 ft³	15.8	33.4 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	79.2 ft³	15.8 ft³	63.4 ft³

2006 Nissan Pathfinder Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2006	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range	Rear seat is cramped. I would gladly give up the third row seat, for more room for the rear (2nd row) seats. see full Nissan Pathfinder review
2006	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD	Rear seating is small for long hauls, and seats WAY too hard see full Nissan Pathfinder 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.

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