Mazda CX-5 Mazda CX-5 2015 Toyota Highlander Toyota Highlander 2021

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Mazda CX-5 (2015) vs. Toyota Highlander (2021) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2015 Mazda CX-5 and 2021 Toyota Highlander specs.

2015 Mazda CX-5 and 2021 Toyota Highlander Specifications

Model Year 2015 2021  
Model Mazda CX-5 Toyota Highlander  
Engine  
Transmission  
Drivetrain  
Body 4dr SUV 4dr SUV  
      Difference
Wheelbase 106.3 in 112.2 in -5.9 in
Length 178.7 in 194.9 in -16.2 in
Width 72.4 in 76.0 in -3.6 in
Height 65.7 in 68.1 in -2.4 in
Curb Weight 3194 lb. 4145 lb. -951 lb.
Fuel Capacity 14.8 gal. 17.9 gal. -3.1 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 40.1 in 41.2 in -1.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 57.5 in 59.0 in -1.5 in
Hip Room, Row 1 55.2 in 57.2 in -2 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.0 in 42.0 in -1 in
Headroom, Row 2 39.0 in 39.4 in -0.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 55.5 in 58.7 in -3.2 in
Hip Room, Row 2 53.7 in 57.0 in -3.3 in
Legroom, Row 2 39.3 in 41.0 in -1.7 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 80.3 in (over 2 rows) 110.7 in (over 3 rows) -30.4 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 34.1 ft3 16.0 ft3 18.1 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 34.1 48.4 ft3 -14.3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 64.8 ft3 84.3 ft3 -19.5 ft3

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2015 Mazda CX-5

2015 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
There's no clear winner in rear seat room and comfort, either. The Mazda's rear seat is mounted a little lower than the Toyota's, and when sitting in it my knees are considerably closer (if still not close) to the front seat backs. Also, the Toyota's rear seat reclines, while the Mazda's does not. Neither car has air vents in the rear passenger compartment, but the RAV4 has a large vent high on the instrument panel apparently intended to push cool air into the rear seat via the ceiling. To counter these RAV4 advantages, the CX-5 offers about five inches more rear hip room. So three passengers will fit more comfortably. see full Mazda CX-5 review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2015 Mazda CX-5

2015 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2015 4dr SUV 184-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Soon after I bought the Mazda, I did an 8 hour trip in it. I found the seat comfort to be most satisfactory. I had no trouble finding a comfortable driving position using the power seat, and, the lumbar support. see full Mazda CX-5 review
2015 Mazda CX-5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2014 4dr SUV 184-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
While recently shopping for a new car for the first time in over 10 years, I found that driver's seats are now made with high sides. For me, a 5'1" female driver, this makes it a bit awkward getting in and out. Combined with the higher ground clearance of a compact SUV, it's not the ideal setup. The Mazda CX-5 is not as bad as others, but it's still an issue. see full Mazda CX-5 review
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2021 Toyota Highlander

2021 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearComment
2020 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
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2021 Toyota Highlander

2021 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 
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