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Features Comparison: Porsche Boxster vs. Chevrolet Malibu
| Model Year | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011--2009 | 2011--2009 | 2011--2009 | 2011--2009 |
| Model | Boxster | Boxster | Boxster | Boxster | Malibu | Malibu | Malibu | Malibu |
| Trim | Base | S | S Black Edition | Spyder | LS | LT | 2LT | LTZ |
| Engines | ||||||||
| Transmissions | ||||||||
| Drivetrains | ||||||||
| Tires | ||||||||
| Audio Systems | ||||||||
| Accessories | ||||||||
| Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier. | ||||||||
| Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||||||
| Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||
| Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in. | ||||||||
| Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. | ||||||||
| Homelink. | ||||||||
| Removable or foldable barrier extends upward behind the front seatbacks, preventing cold air from entering the front seat area. | ||||||||
| Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||||||
| Rear disc brakes. | ||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||||
| Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||||||
| When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||||||
| Ceramic composite brake rotors. | ||||||||
| Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||||||
| Torso-level front row airbags, usually contained in the seats. Many also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||
| Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||||||
| Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||||||
| Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||||||
| When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||||||
| Cargo Management | ||||||||
| Climate Control | ||||||||
| Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
| Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||||||
| Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||||||
| Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||||
| Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||||||
| Makes rain bead up and roll off the windows. | ||||||||
| Drivetrain | ||||||||
| When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction. | ||||||||
| Engine / Motor | ||||||||
| Valves open in the exhaust at high rpm and/or during brisk acceleration, for power boost and/or richer sound. Valves can also be opened with a switch. | ||||||||
| Plugs into electrical outlet to warm up the engine. Facilitates starting in extreme cold. | ||||||||
| The engine is located behind the driver but ahead of the rear axle. | ||||||||
| Changes sound of exhaust and/or appearance of the tips. In some cases might slightly improve performance. | ||||||||
| Exterior | ||||||||
| Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | ||||||||
| Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||||||
| Reduces interior noise, prevents side windows from shattering. | ||||||||
| Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||||||
| Spoiler extends automatically at high speeds. Otherwise flush with body. Can be manually extended and retracted. | ||||||||
| In addition to first rear spoiler. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Infotainment | ||||||||
| Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||||||
| Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||||||
| Includes CD player. | ||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing DVD-Audio discs. | ||||||||
| Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | ||||||||
| Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | ||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||||||
| Screen-based navigation system. | ||||||||
| Enables navigation even without roads. Requires and does not include the value of a navigation system. | ||||||||
| XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||||||
| In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system plus turn-by-turn navigation (no map display). For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | ||||||||
| Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | ||||||||
| Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls. | ||||||||
| Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||||
| Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||||||
| Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
| Passenger-side rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
| Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
| Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||||||
| Stopwatch, lap timer. Usually includes an analog clock. | ||||||||
| We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||||||
| Lights illuminate area just ahead and to the side of the vehicle when the turn signals are used or the steering wheel is turned. | ||||||||
| Make it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog. | ||||||||
| Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||||||
| Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
| LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | ||||||||
| Front row reading lights. | ||||||||
| Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||||||
| Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||||||
| Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | ||||||||
| Reports engine speed. | ||||||||
| Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||||||
| Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||||||
| Seats and Interior Trim | ||||||||
| Won't be listed in conjunction with wood or aluminum trim even if they are available together. | ||||||||
| Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||||||
| Leather beyond the seating surfaces, door panels, and IP top. No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||||||
| Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||||||
| Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
| Seating surfaces are part leather, part synthetic suede. | ||||||||
| Seating surfaces are part cloth or vinyl, part synthetic suede. | ||||||||
| Synthetic suede steering wheel rim. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||||||
| Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||||||
| Real wood comprises part of the steering wheel rim. | ||||||||
| Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||||||
| Shocks that electrically adjust their firmness based on sensor readings of the road surface. The driver might also be able to select a \"sport\" setting. | ||||||||
| Spoked steel wheel with a plastic cover that makes it look like an alloy wheel. | ||||||||
| Alloy wheels with a chromed plastic veneer. Replace and include value of regular alloy wheels. | ||||||||
| Varies throttle, steering, ABS, and/or stability control calibration. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Transmission | ||||||||
| Electronically controls engine and transmission for perfect launch. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. | ||||||||
Option Package Contents
Auto-dimming mirrors
SportDesign Package
Sport Chrono Package
Convenience Package
Power sport seats
Adaptive sport seats plus
Auto-dimming mirrors
SportDesign Package
Infotainment Package
Sport Chrono Package
Convenience Package
Power sport seats
Adaptive sport seats plus
SportDesign Package
Sport Chrono Package
Power sport seats
Adaptive sport seats plus
Auto-dimming mirrors
Sport Chrono Package
Sport seats plus
Advanced Safety Package
Electronics and Entertainment Package
Leather Package
Electronics and Entertainment Package
Advanced Safety Package
Leather Package
See TrueDelta's information for all Porsche models.
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2011 Porsche Boxster
6-speed manual RWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2011--2009 Chevrolet Malibu
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD