Subaru Forester (2016) vs. Toyota Highlander (2013) Specs

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2016 Subaru Forester and 2013 Toyota Highlander Specifications

Model Year	2016	2013
Model	Subaru Forester	Toyota Highlander
Engine	turbocharged 2.0L H4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5600 258 lb-ft@2000	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700
Transmission	8-speed shiftable CVT	5-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	103.9 in	109.8 in	-5.9 in
Length	180.9 in	188.4 in	-7.5 in
Width	70.7 in	75.2 in	-4.5 in
Height	66.4 in	68.1 in	-1.7 in
Curb Weight	3624 lb.	4266 lb.	-642 lb.
Fuel Capacity	15.9 gal.	19.2 gal.	-3.3 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	41.4 in	40.6 in	0.8 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	57.0 in	59.7 in	-2.7 in
Hip Room, Row 1	0.0 in	56.7 in	-56.7 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.0 in	43.2 in	-0.2 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.8 in	40.1 in	-0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	56.5 in	59.5 in	-3 in
Hip Room, Row 2	0.0 in	56.5 in	-56.5 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.0 in	38.3 in	-0.3 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	81 in (over 2 rows)	110.7 in (over 3 rows)	-29.7 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	34.4 ft³	10.3 ft³	24.1 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	34.4	42.3 ft³	-7.9
Cargo Volume, Maximum	74.7 ft³	95.4 ft³	-20.7 ft³

2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2015	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	I'm 6'3" and often don't fit comfortable in vehicles. I found this had a very nice amount of front seat room. The center console tends to stay out of the way as well, some newer designs have the center stack moving into where my right knee would be. It's a very noticeable improvement over my previous 2009 Escape. I actually found the Forester more comfortable for me than the Outback. I was expecting the opposite. see full Subaru Forester review
2015	4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 CVT AWD	After looking at Explorer's, I was surprised how much more room the Forester had in the back seat. Granted it doesn't have a third row, but if you don't need a 3rd row, the Forester is hard to beat in this segment for rear seat room. We can put a forward facing child seat in the back, move the front seat up a about 2 inches from all the way back and there's still plenty of front passenger room and my 1.5 year old son can't kick the back of the seat. see full Subaru Forester review

2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2017	4dr SUV turbocharged 250hp 2.0L H4 8-speed shiftable CVT AWD	- Terrible front seat support - The cushions are too short - It's not noticeable on a test drive right away. I would not have bought the car! Test drive extensively! - Surfaces where your elbows would lay are too hard - I purchased foam pads to make it feel better. - Tall drivers like myself will struggle with the telescoping wheel's short extension range. - It is hard to get into a fully comfortable driving position. The memory seats in the XT help somewhat by retaining your seat settings if moved. - Front seat cushions are too short - Yes I said this twice - Front seat cushions are too short - Yes I said this THREE times! Subaru are you listening? The front seat cushions are WAY TOO SHORT! see full Subaru Forester 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

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