Model Year | 2012 | 2008 | |
Model | Toyota Highlander | Mazda Mazda5 | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Minivan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 109.8 in | 108.3 in | 1.5 in |
Length | 188.4 in | 181.5 in | 6.9 in |
Width | 75.2 in | 69.1 in | 6.1 in |
Height | 68.1 in | 64.2 in | 3.9 in |
Curb Weight | 3946 lb. | 3417 lb. | 529 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 19.2 gal. | 15.9 gal. | 3.3 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.6 in | 40.7 in | -0.1 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 59.7 in | 55.5 in | 4.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 56.7 in | 52.9 in | 3.8 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 43.2 in | 40.7 in | 2.5 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 40.1 in | 39.4 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 59.5 in | 55.6 in | 3.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 56.5 in | 58.3 in | -1.8 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.3 in | 35.2 in | 3.1 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 36.3 in | 37.1 in | -0.8 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 55.0 in | 49.2 in | 5.8 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 42.3 in | 40.9 in | 1.4 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 29.2 in | 30.7 in | -1.5 in |
Total Legroom | 110.7 in (over 3 rows) | 106.6 in (over 3 rows) | 4.1 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 10.3 ft3 | 11.3 ft3 | -1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 42.3 ft3 | 44.4 ft3 | -2.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 95.4 ft3 | 70.9 ft3 | 24.5 ft3 |
2012 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 |
2012 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 |
2011 | 4dr SUV 245-horsepower 3.5L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD |
Third row minimal legroom see full Toyota Highlander review |
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Space for two kids or adult to sit comfortably - elderly father sits up straight and can access easily with sliding doors. Pop up seats deal with short term travel with friends/teammates. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Ample space for such a small exterior. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
3rd row in a "car" is nice - we always have the occasional 3rd or 4th child and like that they are somewhat temporarily available. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
One of the smallest vehicles with seating for 6. Going to a full size minivan removes the option for a manual transmission, severely reduces visibility and adds too much weight. SUVs are just way too big see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2007 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
Rear seats fit adults or kids in car seats adequately, especially for an economy car. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Not enough leg room overall in the car. As a larger driver (6'3"), I need to push the drivers seat back. So the kid behind me has to get pushed back. Well the third row can't move back, so I've I'm driving, no one can sit in the third row driver's side and have any leg room. This is the worst for kids in full-size car seats, because the seats position their legs higher and forward of where a small adult's would be with no car seat. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2009 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The center seats are adequate for tall adults. Judicious positioning of the front and center seats should get you better results than a subcompact. The third-row rear seats are for kids only. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2009 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The back seat is made for very small folks only. The middle row seat belts are placed somewhat far back. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2009 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
The six-chair setup of the 5 means that luggage space is limited, and some may find the "three rows of two" arrangement adds difficulty to monitoring children in the far rear seats. In order to carry significant cargo the seats need to be removed. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |
2007 | 4dr Minivan 153-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD |
With the seat all back, there is not much room for anyone over six feet tall. see full Mazda Mazda5 review |