Model Year | 2006 | 2016 | |
Model | Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI | Chevrolet Malibu | |
Engine | turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5500 207 lb-ft@1800 |
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@2000 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 101.5 in | 111.4 in | -9.9 in |
Length | 179.3 in | 193.8 in | -14.5 in |
Width | 70.1 in | 73.0 in | -2.9 in |
Height | 57.4 in | 57.7 in | -0.3 in |
Curb Weight | 3303 lb. | 3388 lb. | -85 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 13.0 gal. | 1.5 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.5 in | 39.1 in | -0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.8 in | 58.5 in | -3.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 54.1 in | -54.1 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 42.0 in | -0.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 37.5 in | -0.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 53.1 in | 57.1 in | -4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 53.4 in | -53.4 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.4 in | 38.1 in | -2.7 in |
Total Legroom | 76.6 in (over 2 rows) | 80.1 in (over 2 rows) | -3.5 in |
Cargo Volume | 16.0 ft3 | 15.8 ft3 | 0.2 ft3 |
2006 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
most comfortable seats out of the Totoya Matrix, Mazda 3, Honda fit, Nissan Versa see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Excellent seats and comfort, however occasionally find the seats a bit narrow and the foot well can be tight in some shoes. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
The front seats offer great lateral support. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2007 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
The sport seats in the basic black leatherette are nicely bolstered though not overly enveloping like seats in my FR-S. This means it hits a nice middle ground of comfort but still keeping you from being thrown around in aggressive driving. The manually adjusted seats are easily positioned to a comfortable state after you figure out which of the 4 levers is doing what. The adjustible thigh support is especially nice and not something I often see in this segment. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Zero fatigue on long drives, natural driving position see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Same as a small sedan, dead pedal, loads of head room see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
High roof line gives sedan-like head room, lots of foot room. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Good Shoulder width, okay leg room. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2006 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2007 | 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD |
Great for my kids (4 and 7) but small for adults. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI review |
2006 | 4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD |
Seats could be firmer though adequate. It has no lumbar support and expended use probably will change the shape of the foam used in the seat. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI 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.