Model Year | 2009 | 2013 | |
Model | BMW 5-Series | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr Wagon | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,885 mm | 2,789 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,856 mm | 4,785 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,847 mm | 1,910 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,491 mm | 1,730 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,660 kg | 1,790 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 70 L | 73 L | -3 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 955 mm | 1,031 mm | 954 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,455 mm | 1,516 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0 mm | 1,440 mm | -1 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,054 mm | 1,097 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 955 mm | 1,019 mm | 954 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,453 mm | 1,511 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0 mm | 1,435 mm | -1 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 914 mm | 973 mm | -59 mm |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0 mm | 922 mm | -922 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0 mm | 1,397 mm | -1 mm |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0 mm | 1,074 mm | -1 mm |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0 mm | 742 mm | -742 mm |
Total Legroom | 1,969 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,812 mm (over 3 rows) | -1 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 498 L | 292 L | 206 L |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 17.6 | 1,198 L | 16.6 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 1,651 L | 2,701 L | -1 L |
2009 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
All I need. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The sport seats offer exceptional levels of adjustment. I especially like the extendable leg support and the tilt of the upper back. The lumbar in the sport seats adjusts in up and down as well. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The comfort seat option is to die for. There is NO production automobile mfg that produces a seat that comfortable. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
At 6-foot-6, I have enough legroom. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Twenty-way adjustable seat. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2009 BMW 5-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
People 5 foot 3 and above cannot sit comfortably in the back seat on long trips. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2010 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Almost limo sized with very comfortable shaping. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 360-horsepower 4.8L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A little tight in the rear, but it is a mid-size sedan. see full BMW 5-Series review |
2013 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
Toyota replaced the 2013 Highlander's rear struts with control arms to enable a three-inch-wider third-row seat, and then used the extra space to cram in a third seating position. So if you need seats for eight people, only the Highlander will do in this threesome. A top-of-the-line Santa Fe only seats six. Other eight-pass options include the Honda Pilot and GM's large crossovers. But those three people best be small, as the Highlander doesn't have nearly as much rear legroom as the Pathfinder or the Santa Fe. To fit children of even middling size in the third row it's necessary to slide the second row well forward. The second row seat cushion is mounted too low for adult comfort. The Nissan's second row suffers from a similar shortcoming, but the Hyundai's does not. see full Toyota Highlander review |
2013 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Perfect for two car seats. Really neat trick - the middle seat for the 2nd row rolls up into the center console. I did not remove it nor attempt to sit in it but that does make the 3rd row more likely to be used for those with car seats. I did not attempt to sit in the 3rd row (looked at it before folding into the floor for cargo space for the entire trip) so cannot opine on it. Use at your own risk. see full Toyota Highlander review |
2012 | 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
I am 6 foot tall, and there is plenty of head and leg room in the driving position. Easy access as well. see full Toyota Highlander review |
2013 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
3rd row seats are useless to me. Too little room for adults. Should have been an option for families with small children. With 3rd row seating, you lose storage space. see full Toyota Highlander review |