Model Year | 2008 | 2011 | |
Model | Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI | Toyota Highlander | |
Engine | 3.2L V6 DOHC-4v 250 hp@6300 236 lb-ft@2500 |
3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6200 248 lb-ft@4700 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed automated manual | 5-speed shiftable automatic | |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
Body | 4dr Hatch | 4dr SUV | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 101.5 in | 109.8 in | -8.3 in |
Length | 165.8 in | 188.4 in | -22.6 in |
Width | 68.3 in | 75.2 in | -6.9 in |
Height | 58.4 in | 68.1 in | -9.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3643 lb. | 4266 lb. | -623 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 19.2 gal. | -4.7 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.3 in | 40.6 in | -1.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 54.7 in | 59.7 in | -5 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 0.0 in | 56.7 in | -56.7 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 43.2 in | -2 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.5 in | 40.1 in | -1.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 54.6 in | 59.5 in | -4.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 0.0 in | 56.5 in | -56.5 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.3 in | 38.3 in | -3 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 36.3 in | -36.3 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 55.0 in | -55 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 42.3 in | -42.3 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 0.0 in | 29.2 in | -29.2 in |
Total Legroom | 76.5 in (over 2 rows) | 110.7 in (over 3 rows) | -34.2 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.1 ft3 | 10.3 ft3 | 4.8 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 15.1 | 42.3 ft3 | -27.2 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 41.8 ft3 | 95.4 ft3 | -53.6 ft3 |
2008 Volkswagen Jetta / Rabbit / GTI Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
2011 Toyota Highlander Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
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 |
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 |
2011 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 |