Toyota Highlander (2009) vs. Volkswagen Jetta (2014) Specs

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2009 Toyota Highlander and 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Specifications

Model Year	2009	2014
Model	Toyota Highlander	Volkswagen Jetta
Engine	3.3L V6 Hybrid DOHC-4v 209 hp@5600 212 lb-ft@3600	turbocharged 1.4L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 170 hp@5000 184 lb-ft@1000
Transmission	CVT	7-speed automated manual
Drivetrain	AWD	FWD
Body	4dr SUV	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	109.8 in	104.4 in	5.4 in
Length	188.4 in	182.2 in	6.2 in
Width	75.2 in	70.0 in	5.2 in
Height	68.1 in	57.2 in	10.9 in
Curb Weight	4508 lb.	3311 lb.	1197 lb.
Fuel Capacity	19.2 gal.	14.5 gal.	4.7 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	40.6 in	38.2 in	2.4 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	59.7 in	55.2 in	4.5 in
Hip Room, Row 1	56.7 in	0.0 in	56.7 in
Legroom, Row 1	43.2 in	41.2 in	2 in
Headroom, Row 2	40.1 in	37.1 in	3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	59.5 in	53.6 in	5.9 in
Hip Room, Row 2	56.5 in	0.0 in	56.5 in
Legroom, Row 2	38.3 in	38.1 in	0.2 in
Headroom, Row 3	36.3 in	0.0 in	36.3 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3	55.0 in	0.0 in	55 in
Hip Room, Row 3	42.3 in	0.0 in	42.3 in
Legroom, Row 3	29.2 in	0.0 in	29.2 in
Total Legroom	110.7 in (over 3 rows)	79.3 in (over 2 rows)	31.4 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum	10.3 ft³	15.5 ft³	-5.2 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind R2	42.3 ft³	15.5	26.8 ft³
Cargo Volume, Maximum	95.4 ft³	15.5 ft³	79.9 ft³

2009 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr SUV 187-horsepower 2.7L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Lots of room in the second row, including seats that recline and move back & forth. Having the third row as an option for occasional use was really the deciding factor. see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Limo-like leg room and captains chairs see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 209-horsepower 3.3L V6 Hybrid CVT AWD	The widest seats of all Midsize SUVs (X5, Q7, Tourag, Cayenne, etc.) see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Third row seating and 2nd row has more leg room than the Murano by about 1". see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	4 cup holders see full Toyota Highlander review

2009 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Only two seats in the 2nd row, very small leg room in the 3rd row. see full Toyota Highlander review
2009	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	seats were hard and flat. Even top of the line luxury model seats were a big disappointment . . . one of the principal reasons we did not choose this vehicle see full Toyota Highlander review
2008	4dr SUV 270-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	3rd row seat is full bench seat and individual side can not be raised or lowered independently. Access and available room much less than MDX. see full Toyota Highlander review

2014 Volkswagen Jetta Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	The Jetta is a little longer than the ILX (182 vs. 179 inches), and all of the additional inches appear to have gone into the rear seat. While the average adult will barely fit into the back seat of the Acura (those over 5-9 will be on close terms with the headliner), the Jetta has significantly more rear headroom and more rear legroom than the average midsize sedan, much less the average compact. If you like a roomy rear seat, you'll love the Jetta. Room is one thing, comfort another. The rear seat feels overly hard, and neither the cushion nor the backrest was set at a comfortable angle for me. Clearly some German engineer found these angles optimal, though. So maybe it's just me. see full Volkswagen Jetta review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta.

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