Model Year | 2021 | 2008 | |
Model | Toyota Highlander | Volkswagen Passat | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 220 kW@6600 357 Nm@4700 |
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 206 kW@6200 359 Nm@2750 |
|
Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Wagon | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,710 mm | 0 mm |
Length | 4,950 mm | 4,775 mm | 0 mm |
Width | 1,930 mm | 1,821 mm | 0 mm |
Height | 1,730 mm | 1,516 mm | 0 mm |
Curb Weight | 1,964 kg | 1,813 kg | 0 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 68 L | 70 L | -2 L |
Headroom, Row 1 | 1,046 mm | 973 mm | -972 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 1,499 mm | 1,415 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 1,453 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 1 | 1,067 mm | 1,052 mm | 0 mm |
Headroom, Row 2 | 1,001 mm | 980 mm | -979 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 1,491 mm | 1,387 mm | 0 mm |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 1,448 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 2 | 1,041 mm | 958 mm | -957 mm |
Headroom, Row 3 | 917 mm | 0 mm | 917 mm |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 1,397 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 1,158 mm | 0 mm | 1 mm |
Legroom, Row 3 | 704 mm | 0 mm | 704 mm |
Total Legroom | 2,812 mm (over 3 rows) | 2,009 mm (over 2 rows) | 0 mm |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 453 L | 1,014 L | 452 L |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 1,371 L | 35.8 | -34.8 L |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 2,387 L | 1,747 L | 1 L |
2021 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 |
2021 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 |
2008 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Passat provided more interior space especially in the rear than the Audi A4 see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Extremely comfortable front drivers seat w/ 12 way electronic adjustment. Able to find perfect driving position. Very little fatigue even after 12 - 14 hours of driving (taking breaks for food / gas of course). Lumbar adjusts both up/down and in/out. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Lots of rear legroom and space for car seats. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
Compared to other sporty wagons (BMW, Subaru) the Passat has about 3" more rear leg room - enough to put my full-size parents and/or friends in the back seat without making them do contortions. Easier to get a child in and out of a rear safety seat, too. see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
This version of the Passat can easily fit 3 across seating in the rear see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
More than large enough for American size bodies! see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
Well bolstered seat, best seat heaters I ever had (have had Land Rovers and own a SAAB). see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Wagon 280-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
larger than chief competitors (BMW 3 series, Audi A4) see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2008 Volkswagen Passat Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD |
very restrictive space see full Volkswagen Passat review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD |
No thigh support, not as comfortable as my 2000 Passat see full Volkswagen Passat review |