Toyota Highlander (2013) vs. Mazda CX-9 (2008) Specs

vs.

◆

2013 Toyota Highlander and 2008 Mazda CX-9 Specifications

Model Year	2013	2008
Model	Toyota Highlander	Mazda CX-9
Engine	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700	3.7L V6 DOHC-4v 273 hp@6250 270 lb-ft@4250
Transmission	5-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	109.8 in	113.2 in	-3.4 in
Length	188.4 in	199.6 in	-11.2 in
Width	75.2 in	76.2 in	-1 in
Height	68.1 in	68.1 in	0 in
Curb Weight	4266 lb.	4528 lb.	-262 lb.
Fuel Capacity	19.2 gal.	20.1 gal.	-0.9 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.6 in	39.6 in	1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	59.7 in	59.4 in	0.3 in
Hip Room, Row 1	56.7 in	56.5 in	0.2 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.2 in	40.9 in	2.3 in
Headroom, Row 2	40.1 in	38.8 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	59.5 in	58.7 in	0.8 in
Hip Room, Row 2	56.5 in	56.0 in	0.5 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.3 in	39.8 in	-1.5 in
Headroom, Row 3	36.3 in	35.4 in	0.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	55.0 in	56.9 in	-1.9 in
Hip Room, Row 3	42.3 in	43.7 in	-1.4 in
Legroom, Row 3	29.2 in	32.4 in	-3.2 in
Total Legroom	110.7 in (over 3 rows)	113.1 in (over 3 rows)	-2.4 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	10.3 ft³	17.2 ft³	-6.9 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	42.3 ft³	47.5 ft³	-5.2 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	95.4 ft³	100.7 ft³	-5.3 ft³

Return to top

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. see full Toyota Highlander review

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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Mazda CX-9

2008 Mazda CX-9 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr SUV 273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Access to the 3rd row is better than any other 7 passenger SUV I drove. see full Mazda CX-9 review
2009	4dr SUV 273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Easy access to third row, good leg room in second and third row. see full Mazda CX-9 review
2008	4dr SUV 273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Long legroom in 2nd row seating, fold-down 3rd row seating has large seat cushions for adults see full Mazda CX-9 review
2008	4dr SUV 273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	highly adjustable, nice and firm see full Mazda CX-9 review
2008	4dr SUV 273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Third row is plenty comfortable for two adults on a long trip. see full Mazda CX-9 review
2007	4dr SUV 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	We bought this vehicle to replace a 4-door sedan in order to have more room for our grandchildren. Eventually they will be old enough to sit in the thrid row seats. see full Mazda CX-9 review
2007	4dr SUV 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	7 seats see full Mazda CX-9 review
2007	4dr SUV 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Very flexible seating positions. Middle row adjusts so you can tailor leg room for the rear most passengers or provide second row with max space if desired. see full Mazda CX-9 review
2007	4dr SUV 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Third row seats fairly easy to get into and are comfortable, second row slides for and aft and tilts a bit. Third row easy to pull up and let down. see full Mazda CX-9 review

2008 Mazda CX-9 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2008	4dr SUV 273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Front seats felt snug and the center console intruded on the driver side knee room. see full Mazda CX-9 review
2008	4dr SUV 273-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	I would rather have more second row leg room and no third row. My third row is always folded down for cargo anyway. see full Mazda CX-9 review
2007	4dr SUV 263-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	3rd row leg room is tight see full Mazda CX-9 review

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs

See TrueDelta's information for all Toyota models.