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 Honda Fit
2014 Honda Fit Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year
Comment
2013
The new Honda Fit's first row has a a few more inches of elbow room than those in the Versa Note and Fiesta. Consequently, it feels like a larger car--unless you also need leg room. Then it's no better than the Nissan. Drivers with long legs will wish the front seat could slide back farther--but this would cramp the magic style of the rear seat.
Even drivers of middling height (e.g. me) might find the driver seat uncomfortable. The headrest and non-adjustable lumbar bulge both jut well forward. Depending on your personal size and shape, this might or might not be an issue. Pay close attention before you buy.
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2014 Honda Fit
One more thing. Rear seat comfort was obviously not a big selling point, nor a necessary feature. But one piece of it was worse than it had to be: the rear seat headrests. The artful circular shape and limited adjustment made the rear seats even harder to use; the headrest would tend to jab passengers in their spine. A better solution which was more even with the seat back would really have helped here.
see full Honda Fit review