Toyota RAV4 Toyota RAV4 2012 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI 2008

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Toyota RAV4 (2012) vs. Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI (2008) Specs

How powerful is the engine? How much room is in the back seat? Get the 2012 Toyota RAV4 and 2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI specs.

2012 Toyota RAV4 and 2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Specifications

Model Year 2012 2008  
Model Toyota RAV4 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI  
Engine 3.5L V6
DOHC-4v
269 hp@6200
246 lb-ft@4700
3.2L V6
DOHC-4v
250 hp@6300
236 lb-ft@2500
 
Transmission 5-speed automatic 6-speed automated manual  
Drivetrain AWD AWD  
Body 4dr SUV 4dr Hatch  
      Difference
Wheelbase 104.7 in 101.5 in 3.2 in
Length 181.1 in 165.8 in 15.3 in
Width 71.5 in 68.3 in 3.2 in
Height 66.3 in 58.4 in 7.9 in
Curb Weight 3680 lb. 3643 lb. 37 lb.
Fuel Capacity 15.9 gal. 14.5 gal. 1.4 gal.
Headroom, Row 1 40.8 in 39.3 in 1.5 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1 57.1 in 54.7 in 2.4 in
Hip Room, Row 1 53.8 in 0.0 in 53.8 in
Legroom, Row 1 41.8 in 41.2 in 0.6 in
Headroom, Row 2 39.7 in 38.5 in 1.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2 55.3 in 54.6 in 0.7 in
Hip Room, Row 2 52.4 in 0.0 in 52.4 in
Legroom, Row 2 38.3 in 35.3 in 3 in
Headroom, Row 3 37.2 in 0.0 in 37.2 in
Shoulder Room, Row 3 52.6 in 0.0 in 52.6 in
Hip Room, Row 3 43.3 in 0.0 in 43.3 in
Legroom, Row 3 30.0 in 0.0 in 30 in
Total Legroom 110.1 in (over 3 rows) 76.5 in (over 2 rows) 33.6 in
Cargo Volume, Minimum 12.3 ft3 15.1 ft3 -2.8 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 37.2 ft3 15.1 22.1 ft3
Cargo Volume, Maximum 73.0 ft3 41.8 ft3 31.2 ft3

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

2012 Toyota RAV4 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Seat Room and Comfort of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI

2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
Plenty of shoulder/elbow/head room. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
5-speed manual FWD
Adequate for 2 adults to sit comfortably. High roof, adequate legroom. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Quite possibly the most comfortable front seats I have ever sat in. It is as if they were pulled straight from an Audi and placed in the GTI. An added bonus is the heated cloth, which is unusual because usually you need to option cold leather for heat. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
Front seats are extremely supportive and even heated with the Interlagos cloth option see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Plenty of space, good lumbar support, nice side bolstering. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
well bolstered, firm, both driver and passenger seats have height and lumbar adjust see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed automated manual AWD
Fits me perfectly, all controls ideal for me. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
With the 4 door GTI I can drive 4 full size adults around in comfort. Easy ingress-egress. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed automated manual AWD
With only one car, I needed a sporty car with legitimate rear seat room and an automatic for the other users. I have had 2 6ft passengers in the back seat without complaint. The cushion could use a little more height/angle to aid in leg support. Nitpickin see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2007 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
The front seats offer great lateral support. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2008 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
It works fine for me, but if you have adults that use the rear seat often they may find it a little uncomfortable for long trips. The legroom is decent, but the seats are a bit hard and not all that ergonomic. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
2007 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed automated manual FWD
Great for my kids (4 and 7) but small for adults. see full Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI review
 
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