Model Year | 2013 | 2014 | |
Model | Toyota Highlander | Kia Forte | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700 |
turbocharged 1.6L I4 DOHC-4v 201 hp@6000 195 lb-ft@1750 |
|
Transmission | 5-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Hatch | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,789 mm | 2,700 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,785 mm | 4,351 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,910 mm | 1,781 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,730 mm | 1,450 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,835 kg | 1,416 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 73 L | 50 L | 23 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,031 mm | 1,001 mm | 0 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,516 mm | 1,425 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,440 mm | 1,346 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,097 mm | 1,072 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 1,019 mm | 983 mm | -982 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,511 mm | 1,394 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,435 mm | 1,349 mm | 0 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 973 mm | 912 mm | 61 mm |
Headroom, Row 3 | 922 mm | 0 mm | 922 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 1,397 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 1,074 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 3 | 742 mm | 0 mm | 742 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,812 mm (over 3 rows) | 1,984 mm (over 2 rows) | 1 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 292 L | 657 L | -365 L |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 1,198 L | 23.2 | -22.2 L |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 2,701 L | 1,597 L | 1 L |
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 |
2014 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | People who need a roomy rear seat don't often buy coupes. So with the Civic Si the coupe is an inch and a half shorter (in both height and length) than the sedan, which translates to nearly three inches less headroom and nearly five inches less legroom in back, making it a very tight fit for even modestly sized adults. Those who do want a roomy rear seat in their coupe will be much happier with the Forte. Compared to the sedan, Kia shaved the Koup's roofline an inch but kept the wheelbase the same. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I had about an inch of clearance over my head and a hand's-width ahead of my knees. Switch to the four-door body styles, and both cars are about equally roomy in back. But only Forte rear seat passengers enjoy rear air vents--in every body style. see full Kia Forte review |
2014 Kia Forte Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 148-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
One of the best of his kind. Almost unbeatable for a car of this price. see full Kia Forte review |