Saab 9-5 (2007) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2016) Specs

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2007 Saab 9-5 and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2007	2016
Model	Saab 9-5	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	turbocharged 2.3L I4 DOHC-4v 260 hp@5300 258 lb-ft@1900	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@2000
Transmission	5-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD
Body	4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	106.4 in	111.4 in	-5 in
Length	190.4 in	193.8 in	-3.4 in
Width	70.5 in	73.0 in	-2.5 in
Height	57.2 in	57.7 in	-0.5 in
Curb Weight	3530 lb.	3388 lb.	142 lb.
Fuel Capacity	18.5 gal.	13.0 gal.	5.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	37.1 in	39.1 in	-2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	56.9 in	58.5 in	-1.6 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	54.1 in	-54.1 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.4 in	42.0 in	0.4 in
Headroom, Row 2	37.0 in	37.5 in	-0.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	56.5 in	57.1 in	-0.6 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	53.4 in	-53.4 in
Legroom, Row 2	36.6 in	38.1 in	-1.5 in
Total Legroom	79 in (over 2 rows)	80.1 in (over 2 rows)	-1.1 in
Cargo Volume	15.9 ft³	15.8 ft³	0.1 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

2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.

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