Model Year | 2006 | 2009 | |
Model | Subaru Forester | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 99.4 in | 112.3 in | -12.9 in |
Length | 176.6 in | 191.8 in | -15.2 in |
Width | 68.3 in | 70.3 in | -2 in |
Height | 65.0 in | 57.1 in | 7.9 in |
Curb Weight | 3165 lb. | 3450 lb. | -285 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 15.9 gal. | 16.0 gal. | -0.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.8 in | 39.4 in | 0.4 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 53.5 in | 55.9 in | -2.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 51.6 in | 53.0 in | -1.4 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.6 in | 42.2 in | 1.4 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 39.7 in | 37.2 in | 2.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.6 in | 53.9 in | -0.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 51.6 in | 52.1 in | -0.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 33.7 in | 37.6 in | -3.9 in |
Total Legroom | 77.3 in (over 2 rows) | 79.8 in (over 2 rows) | -2.5 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 32.0 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | 16.9 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 57.7 ft3 | 15.1 ft3 | 42.6 ft3 |
2006 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
easy to find comfortable position; no problems driving over an hour or more; good upright position see full Subaru Forester review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
There is leg room. The seat is adjustable enough. see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Front driver leg room is a little cramped from side to side. see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
No thigh or lumbar support, seats hrad, minimal leg room for front passenger see full Subaru Forester review |
2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Not acceptable for an adult in any of the three rear seating positions see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Again, cramped and too small for larger people. see full Subaru Forester review |
2006 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
This is honesty the only complaint i have about the 2006 XT. The rear seat is a bit tight. We took three other adults on about a 4 hour trip and it was a tight fit - good thing we're good friends! My wife's 2009 Forester is much better in the rear legroom department. see full Subaru Forester review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Rear seat is just too small, but that has been fixed for the 2009 models. The front seat, actually the cabin of the car is just a bit too narrow. It needs more elbow room. see full Subaru Forester review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Not enough elbow room. see full Subaru Forester review |
2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Rear seat room is a bit tight for larger people. Car seats are a little tight in both rear and forward facing positions. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The rear legroom and seat comfort are suitable for two adults on extended trips. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
during a six hour drive felt no fatigue see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The Malibu seats have the comfort of a Lexus and the supportive nature of an Accord. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2009 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
After driving this car for a half hour, my back was in pain. How absolutely useless on a roadtrip. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
The front passenger seat is like sitting in a hole. It can be difficult to get out of. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I tried the LS cloth, LT2 Ultralux, and LTZ leather seats...all of them were uncomfortable. Too little padding. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I like the seating for the front seats. it fits me very good. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |