Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2016 Toyota Highlander Toyota Highlander 2020

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Subaru Forester (2016) vs. Toyota Highlander (2020) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2016 Subaru Forester and 2020 Toyota Highlander specs.

2016 Subaru Forester and 2020 Toyota Highlander Specifications

Model Year 2016 2020  
Model Subaru Forester Toyota Highlander  
Engine turbocharged
2.0L H4
DOHC-4v
250 hp@5600
258 lb-ft@2000
3.5L V6
DOHC-4v
295 hp@6600
263 lb-ft@4700
 
Transmission 8-speed shiftable CVT 8-speed shiftable automatic  
Drivetrain AWD AWD  
Body 4dr SUV 4dr SUV  
      Difference
Wheelbase 103.9 in 112.2 in -8.3 in
Length 180.9 in 194.9 in -14 in
Width 70.7 in 76.0 in -5.3 in
Height 66.4 in 68.1 in -1.7 in
Curb Weight 3624 lb. 4330 lb. -706 lb.
Fuel Capacity 15.9 gal. 17.9 gal. -2 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 41.4 in 41.2 in 0.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 57.0 in 59.0 in -2 in
Hip Room, Row 1 0.0 in 57.2 in -57.2 in
Legroom, Row 1 43.0 in 42.0 in 1 in
Headroom, Row 2 39.8 in 39.4 in 0.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 56.5 in 58.7 in -2.2 in
Hip Room, Row 2 0.0 in 57.0 in -57 in
Legroom, Row 2 38.0 in 41.0 in -3 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 81 in (over 2 rows) 110.7 in (over 3 rows) -29.7 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 34.4 ft3 16.0 ft3 18.4 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 34.4 48.4 ft3 -14
Cargo Volume, Maximum 74.7 ft3 84.3 ft3 -9.6 ft3

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2016 Subaru Forester

2016 Subaru Forester Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 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 2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 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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