Model Year | 2015 | 2013 | |
Model | Kia Soul | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 122 kW@6200 205 Nm@4000 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 201 kW@6200 336 Nm@4700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 5-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,789 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,140 mm | 4,785 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,801 mm | 1,910 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,600 mm | 1,730 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,306 kg | 1,835 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 54 L | 73 L | -19 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,006 mm | 1,031 mm | 0 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,410 mm | 1,516 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,351 mm | 1,440 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,039 mm | 1,097 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 1,003 mm | 1,019 mm | 0 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,389 mm | 1,511 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,252 mm | 1,435 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 993 mm | 973 mm | 20 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 | 2,032 mm (over 2 rows) | 2,812 mm (over 3 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 685 L | 292 L | 393 L |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 24.2 | 1,198 L | 23.2 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 1,736 L | 2,701 L | -1 L |
2015 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2015 | Volkswagen managed to package the e-Golf's 24-kWh battery pack so well that neither passenger nor cargo room is reduced. Kia didn't do as well with its 27-kWh pack, and the Soul EV has three fewer inches of rear legroom than the regular Soul as a result. Still, this leaves it with about as much rear legroom as the e-Golf, and more than you'll find in other compact EVs. If you want a compact EV with an adult-friendly back seat, these are the ones to get. Rear seat passengers don't get rear air vents in the Soul EV, but they can get seat heaters. The e-Golf has the vents but doesn't offer back row bun warmers. see full Kia Soul review |
2015 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 0 | Excellent room both up front and in the backseat for tall people. Same as previous model see full Kia Soul review |
2015 Kia Soul Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 0 | The front seat is every bit as uncomfortable as the previous model. No improvement here. A tall person will be more comfortable sitting in the rear seat. see full Kia Soul 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 |