TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Toyota Highlander
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.
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2013 Toyota Highlander
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
TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2014 Fiat 500L
2014 Fiat 500L Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year
Comment
2014
The front seats in the 500 (no L) aren't my favorite aspect of the car (to put it lightly). Those in the 500L are totally different. They're not luxurious. They're not sporty. But they're firm without being overly firm and the way the seatback angles forward from its midpoint provides excellent mid-back support. A power lumbar adjuster is available, but the tested car lacked this feature and I didn't miss it.
The Soul's front seats are flatter, firmer, lacking in lumbar support, and generally much less comfortable.
see full Fiat 500L review
2014 Fiat 500L Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year
Comment
2014
The 500L's rear seat, which slides and reclines, is mounted very high off the floor, and consequently provides better thigh support than most. Slide it all the way back, and legroom is plentiful (if still not as plentiful as in the Kia).
But combine the high cushion with the optional panoramic sunroof, and even though I'm only 5-9 my scalp nearly touched the headliner. Anyone who intends to carry people over 5-10 in the back seat best skip the sunroof. Without it the 500L has much more rear headroom.
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2014 Fiat 500L
This isn't a problem for me exactly, but I've noticed other reviewers have mentioned it. The front seats are firm and I've been told that the seat fabric in some of the other models can be a bit slick. It took me a few days to get fully accustomed to the seats and find the position that works best for me. I like the firmness because it gives extra support. It's certainly something you'll want to pay attention to when you test drive it.
see full Fiat 500L review