Model Year | 2008 | 2021 | |
Model | Acura TL | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 3.2L V6 OHC-4v 258 hp@6200 233 lb-ft@5000 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 295 hp@6600 263 lb-ft@4700 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 107.9 in | 112.2 in | -4.3 in |
Length | 189.3 in | 194.9 in | -5.6 in |
Width | 72.2 in | 76.0 in | -3.8 in |
Height | 56.7 in | 68.1 in | -11.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3483 lb. | 4145 lb. | -662 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 17.1 gal. | 17.9 gal. | -0.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 38.7 in | 41.2 in | -2.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 58.3 in | 59.0 in | -0.7 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.6 in | 57.2 in | -1.6 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.8 in | 42.0 in | 0.8 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.2 in | 39.4 in | -2.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.7 in | 58.7 in | -3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 53.8 in | 57.0 in | -3.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.9 in | 41.0 in | -6.1 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 36.1 in | -36.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 45.6 in | -45.6 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 27.7 in | -27.7 in |
Total Legroom | 77.7 in (over 2 rows) | 110.7 in (over 3 rows) | -33 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 12.5 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | -3.5 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 12.5 | 48.4 ft3 | -35.9 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 12.5 ft3 | 84.3 ft3 | -71.8 ft3 |
2008 Acura TL Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 305-horsepower 3.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The sport seats are the nicest in its class, supportive, and hold the driver and passenger well during cornering. see full Acura TL review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 305-horsepower 3.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Very comfortable and supportive, great fit liek a glove. see full Acura TL review |
2008 Acura TL Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 258-horsepower 3.2L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Stiff seats, does not absorb difficult road conditions well. see full Acura TL review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 258-horsepower 3.2L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Definitely not a family car with older kids. Not a lot of room in the back. see full Acura TL review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 258-horsepower 3.2L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
My back became stiff after two separate test drives. see full Acura TL review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 258-horsepower 3.2L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Small for adults see full Acura TL review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 286-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Seats are very firm and on spending 1-2 hrs in the vehicle my back really hurts. No amount of adjusting will help see full Acura TL review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan 286-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Cramped backseat see full Acura TL review |
2021 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
With each redesign (for 2008, 2014, and 2020) Toyota has enlarged the Highlander, yet the crossover's third-row seat remains uncomforably low and tight. For adults to be even passably comfortable in the way-back the second row must be slid forward, rendering legroom there also marginal. Some three-row crossovers have much roomier and more comfortable third-row seats. But if you want to be able to squeeze in eight people, Highlanders with a second-row bench can do this. Because they have significantly narrower third-row seats, the Ford Explorer and Kia Sorento cannot fit three people back there even in a pinch, so in hybrid form the former has a maximum capacity of seven people and the latter only six. (The Sorento PHEV will be able to seat seven.) This noted, if you want your adult passengers to have plenty of room, the practical capacity of each is four people. see full Toyota Highlander review |
2021 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2020 | 4dr SUV 295-horsepower 3.5L V6 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The 3rd row seating is just not for adults at all, and I'm not certain that children would be easy to fit back there as well. I'm not sure what Toyota was thinking, even making the 2020 longer didn't make any difference at all. My one complaint is it is just TOO SMALL! see full Toyota Highlander review |