Model Year | 2013 | 2021 | |
Model | Hyundai Sonata | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 2.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 159 hp@5500 154 lb-ft@4500 |
2.5L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 186 hp@6000 175 lb-ft@4400 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | CVT | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 110.0 in | 112.2 in | -2.2 in |
Length | 189.8 in | 194.9 in | -5.1 in |
Width | 72.2 in | 76.0 in | -3.8 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 68.1 in | -10.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3457 lb. | 4330 lb. | -873 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 17.9 gal. | 0.6 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.0 in | 41.2 in | -1.2 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 57.9 in | 59.0 in | -1.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 55.2 in | 57.2 in | -2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 45.5 in | 42.0 in | 3.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 37.8 in | 39.4 in | -1.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 56.7 in | 58.7 in | -2 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 54.9 in | 57.0 in | -2.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 34.6 in | 41.0 in | -6.4 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 | 80.1 in (over 2 rows) | 110.7 in (over 3 rows) | -30.6 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 16.4 ft3 | 16.0 ft3 | 0.4 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 16.4 | 48.4 ft3 | -32 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 16.4 ft3 | 84.3 ft3 | -67.9 ft3 |
2013 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | According to the EPA's classification system, the Hyundai Sonata is actually a large car. You wouldn't guess this while sitting in the front seat. A steeply raked windshield and cockpit-like instrument panel design cut into actual roominess, and perceived roominess even more. The Sonata's firm front buckets could use more form-fitting contouring. Though not uncomfortable, they are the least comfortable buckets in this threesome. In the back seat, six-foot passengers' scalps might graze the headliner, but knee room is generous. There's a bit more room and a more comfortably padded and positioned rear seat cushion inside the Altima. But the Mazda6's rear seat is at least as low to the floor as the Sonata's and includes a couple inches less knee room. So the Hyundai has a slight edge over the Mazda. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2013 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The front driver seat is supportive yet firm and the power adjustments guarantee you'll get the right driving position for you. The heated seat feature is great on a cold morning too. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2013 Hyundai Sonata Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Ride is comfortable but after about 2 or 3 hours, the leather seats get a bit hard on the butt. see full Hyundai Sonata review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 198-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Have the Limited with leather heated seats. They are not as comfortable as expected. The seat bolsters are a little tight for my back side. see full Hyundai Sonata 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 |