Toyota Highlander (2020) vs. Toyota RAV4 (2012) Specs

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2020 Toyota Highlander and 2012 Toyota RAV4 Specifications

Model Year	2020	2012
Model	Toyota Highlander	Toyota RAV4
Engine	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 295 hp@6600 263 lb-ft@4700	3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 269 hp@6200 246 lb-ft@4700
Transmission	8-speed shiftable automatic	5-speed automatic
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr SUV
			Difference
Wheelbase	112.2 in	104.7 in	7.5 in
Length	194.9 in	181.1 in	13.8 in
Width	76.0 in	71.5 in	4.5 in
Height	68.1 in	66.3 in	1.8 in
Curb Weight	4330 lb.	3680 lb.	650 lb.
Fuel Capacity	17.9 gal.	15.9 gal.	2 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	41.2 in	40.8 in	0.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	59.0 in	57.1 in	1.9 in
Hip Room, Row 1	57.2 in	53.8 in	3.4 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.0 in	41.8 in	0.2 in
Headroom, Row 2	39.4 in	39.7 in	-0.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	58.7 in	55.3 in	3.4 in
Hip Room, Row 2	57.0 in	52.4 in	4.6 in
Legroom, Row 2	41.0 in	38.3 in	2.7 in
Headroom, Row 3	36.1 in	37.2 in	-1.1 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	55.0 in	52.6 in	2.4 in
Hip Room, Row 3	45.6 in	43.3 in	2.3 in
Legroom, Row 3	27.7 in	30.0 in	-2.3 in
Total Legroom	110.7 in (over 3 rows)	110.1 in (over 3 rows)	0.6 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	16.0 ft³	12.3 ft³	3.7 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	48.4 ft³	37.2 ft³	11.2 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	84.3 ft³	73.0 ft³	11.3 ft³

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TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Comment
	With each redesign (for 2008, 2014, and 2020) Toyota has enlarged the Highlander, yet the crossover's third-row seat remains uncomforably low and tight. For adults to be even passably comfortable in the way-back the second row must be slid forward, rendering legroom there also marginal. Some three-row crossovers have much roomier and more comfortable third-row seats. But if you want to be able to squeeze in eight people, Highlanders with a second-row bench can do this. Because they have significantly narrower third-row seats, the Ford Explorer and Kia Sorento cannot fit three people back there even in a pinch, so in hybrid form the former has a maximum capacity of seven people and the latter only six. (The Sorento PHEV will be able to seat seven.) This noted, if you want your adult passengers to have plenty of room, the practical capacity of each is four people. see full Toyota Highlander review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2020	4dr SUV 295-horsepower 3.5L V6 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The 3rd row seating is just not for adults at all, and I'm not certain that children would be easy to fit back there as well. I'm not sure what Toyota was thinking, even making the 2020 longer didn't make any difference at all. My one complaint is it is just TOO SMALL! see full Toyota Highlander review

TrueDelta Reviews the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Toyota RAV4

2012 Toyota RAV4 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The first two generations of the Toyota RAVs were much smaller than contemporaneous Honda CR-Vs. More than perhaps any other difference this one probably explains Toyota's lack of segment leadership. The third-generation RAV4, introduced for the 2006 model year, was much larger, and finally about the same size as the Honda. The new RAV4's body is an inch lower, but also a few inches longer. Compared to the CR-V, it's 1.6 inches longer, an inch wider, and 0.7 inches taller. This translates to a slightly roomier interior, and probably the roomiest in the segment unless one includes the boundary-defying Santa Fe Sport, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain. Sitting behind my 5-9 self, I have nearly five inches of knee room in the Honda. Quite good, but I have seven inches in the new RAV4. Beyond sheer space, the RAV4's rear seat cushion is a comfortable height off the floor, and its rear seat back reclines over a relatively wide range. The Honda's rear seat back can be set in only two different positions that aren't far apart. Add a third passenger, though, and the rear seat no longer seems so roomy. My three kids aren't large, but they complained about the amount of room. The reason isn't hard to find: for some reason the new RAV4 only offers 48.8 inches of rear hip room. This is much better than the 43.3 inches in the 2012, but still well short of the 53.3 inches in the CR-V. So, while the RAV4 has the edge in knee room, the Honda easily wins a hip room comparison. see full Toyota RAV4 review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2012 Toyota RAV4

2012 Toyota RAV4 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr SUV 176-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The drivers seat has a really long travel - I normally have the seat far back (5'11" with long legs) but I probably had 6 inches of travel further back I could have gone. The seat isn't overadjustable and not too hard to get into a comfortable position. The fake leather is a reasonable facsimile and has heated seats - would have to see how it does in the direct sun. see full Toyota RAV4 review
2013	4dr SUV 176-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Rear seat room is pretty impressive and seating position is nice. Adjustable rake of the rear seat is a nice touch. Appears to have 3 car seat anchors. The rear seat appears to be the same size as, or maybe even larger than the original Highlander / RX300. see full Toyota RAV4 review

2012 Toyota RAV4 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr SUV 179-horsepower 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	I'm about 6'3" and 220lbs so I get cramped on long trips. see full Toyota RAV4 review
2012	4dr SUV 179-horsepower 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	I'm about 6'3" and 220lbs so I get cramped on long trips. see full Toyota RAV4 review
2011	4dr SUV 179-horsepower 2.5L I4 4-speed automatic AWD	back seat is hard, not much leg room see full Toyota RAV4 review

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See TrueDelta's information for all Toyota models.