Model Year | 2012 | 2013 | |
Model | Volkswagen Golf / GTI | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 256 hp@4300 243 lb-ft@2400 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 259 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@5200 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 101.5 in | 107.8 in | -6.3 in |
Length | 165.4 in | 191.5 in | -26.1 in |
Width | 70.3 in | 73.0 in | -2.7 in |
Height | 58.3 in | 57.6 in | 0.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3326 lb. | 3635 lb. | -309 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 18.5 gal. | -4 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.3 in | 39.0 in | 0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.7 in | 57.5 in | -2.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 42.1 in | -0.9 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.5 in | 37.5 in | 1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 52.8 in | 57.1 in | -4.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 54.3 in | -54.3 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.5 in | 36.8 in | -1.3 in |
Total Legroom | 76.7 in (over 2 rows) | 78.9 in (over 2 rows) | -2.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.0 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | -1.3 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 46.0 ft3 | 16.3 ft3 | 29.7 ft3 |
2012 Volkswagen Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Four adults can easily and comfortably fit in this car, with plenty of room for luggage. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD |
Seats actually fit your body and have proper bolstering, unlike most other seats in this price range which are more like shelves for oversized American behinds. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Good leg room and supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Good leg room for a small car. Supportive seats. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
I have MS, so comfortable seats are a must. This is the only car that I've been in where I could do a non-stop trip from Michigan to Washington DC in. No fatigue, no stopping for a stretch. It's that good, and VW throws in standard heated seats for the GTI. And they do mean "heated" seats, not "warmed" seats, not "take-the-edge-off" seats. Turn them on full and your bum will be roasting with in a few minutes. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Firm, supportive seats. Not too hard. Should be excellent for long road trips. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2011 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Firm, yet comfortable. Excellent lateral support in the turns. Excellent thigh support fro taller driver. Can sit for hours and still feel comfortable. see full Volkswagen Golf / GTI review |
2013 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 |
2013 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 |
2013 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 |