Model Year | 2014 | 2013 | |
Model | Hyundai Elantra GT | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 173 hp@6500 154 lb-ft@4700 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 5-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 109.8 in | -5.5 in |
Length | 169.3 in | 188.4 in | -19.1 in |
Width | 70.1 in | 75.2 in | -5.1 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 68.1 in | -10.2 in |
Curb Weight | 2908 lb. | 4045 lb. | -1137 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.0 gal. | 19.2 gal. | -5.2 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.1 in | 40.6 in | -0.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.9 in | 59.7 in | -3.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 53.1 in | 56.7 in | -3.6 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 42.0 in | 43.2 in | -1.2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.9 in | 40.1 in | -2.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.9 in | 59.5 in | -4.6 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 51.0 in | 56.5 in | -5.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 38.3 in | -3.7 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 | 76.6 in (over 2 rows) | 110.7 in (over 3 rows) | -34.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 23.0 ft3 | 10.3 ft3 | 12.7 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 23.0 | 42.3 ft3 | -19.3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 51.0 ft3 | 95.4 ft3 | -44.4 ft3 |
2014 Hyundai Elantra GT Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | Like the Elantra Touring which it replaced, the Elantra GT shares few if any visible parts with the Elantra coupe and sedan. Instead, both cars are essentially the European-market Hyundai i30 rebadged and slightly retuned for North American consumption. In Europe, the i30 is offered in two lengths, a hatch and an estate (the Queen's English for "wagon"). With the Elantra Touring, we got the estate. Perhaps because not enough people bought an Elantra Touring, Hyundai decided we'd readily trade functionality for styling. So with the Elantra GT we get the hatchback. While adults no longer have room to stretch, the Elantra GT's rear seat remains roomier than those in the Mazda3 and Ford Focus, but can't quite match the Kia Forte5's interior dimensions. Actually, Mazda claims more rear legroom in its car, but this particular spec seems well out of sync with reality. Even if this wasn't the case, specs aren't everything. Owing to a healthy height off the floor, the Hyundai's rear seat might be the most comfortable in the segment (unless you're tall enough to require more than the modest amount of headroom). A bonus for rear-seat passengers: the Tech Package includes the segment's only panoramic sunroof. see full Hyundai Elantra GT review |
2014 Hyundai Elantra GT Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Room enough for up to 6 foot adults. see full Hyundai Elantra GT review |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
A comfortable ride. We drove over 500 miles each way on spring break and had no complaints. see full Hyundai Elantra GT review |
2013 | 4dr Hatch 148-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Coming from a Volvo the seats are firm in comparison. They aren't the hard pans Honda seems to favor though with good side bolsters, quality cloth that should wear well and decent lumbar support(not adjustable in base). Headrests are adjustable for vertical movement but not forward or back. Driving & Visibility see full Hyundai Elantra GT 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 |