Toyota Highlander (2008) vs. BMW X3 (2012) Specs

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2008 Toyota Highlander and 2012 BMW X3 Specifications

Model Year	2008	2012
Model	Toyota Highlander	BMW X3
Engine	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700	turbocharged 3.0L I6 DOHC-4v 300 hp@5800 300 lb-ft@1200
Transmission	5-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	109.8 in	110.6 in	-0.8 in
Length	188.4 in	183.0 in	5.4 in
Width	75.2 in	74.1 in	1.1 in
Height	68.1 in	65.4 in	2.7 in
Curb Weight	4178 lb.	4222 lb.	-44 lb.
Fuel Capacity	19.2 gal.	17.7 gal.	1.5 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.6 in	40.7 in	-0.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	59.7 in	57.3 in	2.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1	56.7 in	0.0 in	56.7 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.2 in	39.9 in	3.3 in
Headroom, Row 2	40.1 in	39.1 in	1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	59.5 in	56.0 in	3.5 in
Hip Room, Row 2	56.5 in	0.0 in	56.5 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.3 in	36.8 in	1.5 in
Headroom, Row 3	36.3 in	0.0 in	36.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	55.0 in	0.0 in	55 in
Hip Room, Row 3	42.3 in	0.0 in	42.3 in
Legroom, Row 3	29.2 in	0.0 in	29.2 in
Total Legroom	110.7 in (over 3 rows)	76.7 in (over 2 rows)	34 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	10.3 ft³	27.6 ft³	-17.3 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	42.3 ft³	27.6	14.7 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	95.4 ft³	63.3 ft³	32.1 ft³

2008 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Third row seating and 2nd row has more leg room than the Murano by about 1". see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	4 cup holders see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Limo-like leg room and captains chairs see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	The widest seats of all Midsize SUVs (X5, Q7, Tourag, Cayenne, etc.) see full Toyota Highlander review

2008 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	seats were hard and flat. Even top of the line luxury model seats were a big disappointment . . . one of the principal reasons we did not choose this vehicle see full Toyota Highlander review
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Only two seats in the 2nd row, very small leg room in the 3rd row. see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	3rd row seat is full bench seat and individual side can not be raised or lowered independently. Access and available room much less than MDX. see full Toyota Highlander review

2012 BMW X3 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	Thanks partly to power-adjustable side bolsters, the X3's optional sport seats are both supportive and comfortable. They're firm where you want them to be firm, yet (unlike those in the Audi and Mercedes-Benz) cushy where you want them to be cushy. The Volvo XC60's seats are also very comfortable, but can't quite match the BMW's lateral support. You sit substantially higher than in a BMW sedan, both relative to the ground and to the instrument panel. The windshield is more distant than in the original X3, making the current one seem considerably larger, but it remains more upright than in most recently designed crossovers. The forward visibility many people buy a crossover to get can be gotten here. Rear seat legroom increased by an inch with the 2011 redesign, and is now competitive. A couple of adults will fit, so there's no compelling functional reason to step up to the X5 unless you require tall people to be comfortable back there. see full BMW X3 review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2012 BMW X3.

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