Saab 9-5 (2007) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2012) Specs

vs.

◆

2007 Saab 9-5 and 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2007	2012
Model	Saab 9-5	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 260 hp@5300 258 lb-ft@1900	3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 252 hp@6300 251 lb-ft@3200
Transmission	5-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	106.4 in	112.3 in	-5.9 in
Length	190.4 in	191.8 in	-1.4 in
Width	70.5 in	70.3 in	0.2 in
Height	57.2 in	57.1 in	0.1 in
Curb Weight	3530 lb.	3645 lb.	-115 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	16.0 gal.	2.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	37.1 in	39.4 in	-2.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	56.9 in	55.9 in	1 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	53.0 in	-53 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.4 in	42.2 in	0.2 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.0 in	37.2 in	-0.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	56.5 in	53.9 in	2.6 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	52.1 in	-52.1 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.6 in	37.6 in	-1 in
Total Legroom	79 in (over 2 rows)	79.8 in (over 2 rows)	-0.8 in
Cargo Volume	15.9 ft³	15.1 ft³	0.8 ft³

2007 Saab 9-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 260hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Very comfortable even with rear facing car seat behind either driver or passenger seat. Head room was good even with moon roof. see full Saab 9-5 review
2007	4dr Sedan turbocharged 260hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	These are the best seats ever designed. Really. see full Saab 9-5 review
2007	4dr Sedan turbocharged 260hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Extremely comfortable and supportive. air-cooled seat option is great in the summer. Front seat ergonomics and comfort blow away those of bmw, infiniti and acura, although leather quality is not as good. see full Saab 9-5 review
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 260hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Both my wife and I find them comfortable for long drives see full Saab 9-5 review
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 260hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Saab seats...enough said. see full Saab 9-5 review
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 260hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	great swar for tall slim people see full Saab 9-5 review

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

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 Wagons.

See TrueDelta's information for all Saab models.