Subaru Forester (2011) vs. Toyota Highlander (2009) Specs

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2011 Subaru Forester and 2009 Toyota Highlander Specifications

Model Year	2011	2009
Model	Subaru Forester	Toyota Highlander
Engine	turbocharged 2.5L H4 DOHC-4v 224 hp@5600 226 lb-ft@3600	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700
Transmission	4-speed shiftable automatic	5-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.0 in	109.8 in	-6.8 in
Length	179.5 in	188.4 in	-8.9 in
Width	70.1 in	75.2 in	-5.1 in
Height	65.9 in	68.1 in	-2.2 in
Curb Weight	3440 lb.	4178 lb.	-738 lb.
Fuel Capacity	16.9 gal.	19.2 gal.	-2.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	41.6 in	40.6 in	1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	56.1 in	59.7 in	-3.6 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	56.7 in	-56.7 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.1 in	43.2 in	-0.1 in
Headroom, Row 2	40.0 in	40.1 in	-0.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	55.6 in	59.5 in	-3.9 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	56.5 in	-56.5 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.0 in	38.3 in	-0.3 in
Headroom, Row 3	0.0 in	36.3 in	-36.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	0.0 in	55.0 in	-55 in
Hip Room, Row 3	0.0 in	42.3 in	-42.3 in
Legroom, Row 3	0.0 in	29.2 in	-29.2 in
Total Legroom	81.1 in (over 2 rows)	110.7 in (over 3 rows)	-29.6 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	33.5 ft³	10.3 ft³	23.2 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	33.5	42.3 ft³	-8.8
Cargo Volume, Maximum	68.3 ft³	95.4 ft³	-27.1 ft³

2011 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 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
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

2009 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr SUV 187-horsepower 2.7L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Lots of room in the second row, including seats that recline and move back & forth. Having the third row as an option for occasional use was really the deciding factor. see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Limo-like leg room and captains chairs see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	The widest seats of all Midsize SUVs (X5, Q7, Tourag, Cayenne, etc.) see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Third row seating and 2nd row has more leg room than the Murano by about 1". see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	4 cup holders see full Toyota Highlander review

2009 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Only two seats in the 2nd row, very small leg room in the 3rd row. see full Toyota Highlander review
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	seats were hard and flat. Even top of the line luxury model seats were a big disappointment . . . one of the principal reasons we did not choose this vehicle see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	3rd row seat is full bench seat and individual side can not be raised or lowered independently. Access and available room much less than MDX. see full Toyota Highlander review

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