Model Year | 2010 | 2015 | |
Model | Subaru Forester | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 224 hp@5600 226 lb-ft@3600 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5500 295 lb-ft@3000 |
|
Transmission | 4-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 103.0 in | 107.8 in | -4.8 in |
Length | 179.5 in | 191.5 in | -12 in |
Width | 70.1 in | 73.0 in | -2.9 in |
Height | 65.9 in | 57.6 in | 8.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3440 lb. | 3635 lb. | -195 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 16.9 gal. | 18.5 gal. | -1.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 41.6 in | 39.0 in | 2.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 56.1 in | 57.5 in | -1.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.1 in | 42.1 in | 1 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 40.0 in | 37.5 in | 2.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.6 in | 57.1 in | -1.5 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 54.3 in | -54.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.0 in | 36.8 in | 1.2 in |
Total Legroom | 81.1 in (over 2 rows) | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | 2.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 33.5 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 17.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 68.3 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 52 ft3 |
2010 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2011 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The rear seat room is generous. see full Subaru Forester review |
2010 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Enough room to feel comfortable, even at 6 feet tall. The fact that the Premium Trim package allows rear seats to recline a bit helps a lot as well. see full Subaru Forester review |
2010 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
leather seat "baquet" has very good lateral control, but leather is slippery on braking see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
ample rear seat room for car seats and adults alike see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
well padded and shaped, power seat controls allows good positioning. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Lost of room for the kids. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
It fits my kids (three) better than 2001 Outback, the rear seat "hump" is less proeminent than in other Subaru models (Outback namely), good hip and shoulder room see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Big enough for growing children; enough leg room for tall driver see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Easily fits people over 6 foot in fron with plenty of room in back for passengers - much better than previous generation Forester. see full Subaru Forester review |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Rear seats are very comfortable, lots of space, excellent for wife and kid. see full Subaru Forester review |
2010 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Great for an average women. Too narrow for fit 6 foot man, especially in the back cushion. see full Subaru Forester review |
2015 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 |
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 196-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Both front & rear compartments very roomy & comfortable. Again, this is noted improvement over our 2009 Malibu. see full Chevrolet Malibu review |