Model Year | 2013 | 2012 | |
Model | Toyota Highlander | Ford Fusion | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 Hybrid DOHC-4v 245 hp@6000 234 lb-ft@4800 |
2.5L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 156 hp@6000 136 lb-ft@2250 |
|
Transmission | CVT | CVT | |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 109.8 in | 107.4 in | 2.4 in |
Length | 188.4 in | 190.6 in | -2.2 in |
Width | 75.2 in | 72.2 in | 3 in |
Height | 68.1 in | 56.9 in | 11.2 in |
Curb Weight | 4641 lb. | 3720 lb. | 921 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 19.2 gal. | 17.5 gal. | 1.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.6 in | 38.7 in | 1.9 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 59.7 in | 57.4 in | 2.3 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 56.7 in | 54.0 in | 2.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.2 in | 42.3 in | 0.9 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 40.1 in | 37.8 in | 2.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 59.5 in | 56.5 in | 3 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 56.5 in | 53.3 in | 3.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.3 in | 37.1 in | 1.2 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) | 79.4 in (over 2 rows) | 31.3 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 10.3 ft3 | 16.5 ft3 | -6.2 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 42.3 ft3 | 16.5 | 25.8 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 95.4 ft3 | 16.5 ft3 | 78.9 ft3 |
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 |
2012 Ford Fusion Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | The front bucket seats fit my slightly overweight torso very well, with large bolsters for lateral support, a form-fitting shape, and headrests that don't jut too far forward. The Titanium's seats are the best of the bunch, with a little more padding and a little more bolstering. The rear seat doesn't seem as roomy as the official legroom specs of 44.3 + 38.3 inches. In the back seat of a VW Passat (42.4+39.1 inches), my knees aren't nearly as close to the front seat backs. Though those present denied it, I continue to wonder if the specs have been cheated like those for the new Escape. Passengers over six feet in height will find rear headroom in even shorter supply. But if you fit, the high-mounted, large, and well-shaped cushion is the most comfortable rear seat in the segment. see full Ford Fusion review |
2012 Ford Fusion Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD |
Being 6' 3" it can be hard to find a car where I have sufficient legroom & headroom. In the Fusion Hybrid there was lots of space, even with a sunroof. There are also padded surfaces where my left knee rests against the door and where my right leg rests against the center console. The Camry Hybrid was not comfortable. The doors are hard plastic and there was no soft place to rest my knee. The center console was also hard plastic. see full Ford Fusion review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 178hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Tons of legroom and passengers pleased with the accommodations. see full Ford Fusion review |
2011 | 4dr Sedan 240-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The front seats are very comfortable, and provide very adequate support for long trips. Side support isn't the very best for hard cornering though. see full Ford Fusion review |
2012 Ford Fusion Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD |
The door sills are very high which made it tough for me to get my size 13 shoes up and over when sitting behind a front seat that is all the way back. The door sills in the Camry were lower so while there was no more rear seat room than in the Fusion is was possible to get my feet out more easily. see full Ford Fusion review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 141-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD |
You can see I'm really reaching here to find things that we didn't like about the Fusion Hybrid, but here's one more... There is a small step up in front of the front seats which made it hard to cross my legs like when traveling on road trips. see full Ford Fusion review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 178hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The driver's seat was atrocious to get set - took forever (three drives over 2 days) with a zillion directions to move the seat - more adjustments does not mean more comfortable!! see full Ford Fusion review |