By The third-row seat is familiar, but I’m curious why automakers continue to offer it since they’re only comfortable if you have a van. If you have pets or children who require their own space, a third-row seat can be a great option. But I wouldn’t ask an adult to ride in the third row of my Highlander unless it was a tiny person.
The third-row Highlander seat’s hip, shoulders, and footwell space is too small for adults. The third row needs to be more significant for my neighbor’s teenagers. My child no longer needs the third-row seat area, but I could use it as a storage space when I travel.
The Highlanders Third row seat is smaller than that of other SUVs.
The third row is smaller compared to other SUVs’ seating arrangements. Toyota claims that the Highlander can seat seven to eight passengers. This variable is reached by calling the Highlander an eight-seater, even though it has a bench seat in the second row.
The seating capacity is reduced to seven when the optional Captain’s Seats are installed.
I then went to the specification pages of the Toyota Highlander and several competitors to find a more apparent reason why the third-row seat was unsuitable for adults. By comparing each vehicle’s space for the third row, I determined whether the Highlander seat is comparable to other SUVs.
Can an adult fit in the third row of a Toyota Highlander SUV?
The third row of seats in the Ford Explorer (the closest competitor to the Highlander) and Nissan Pathfinder are almost identical. Ford and Nissan do not offer seating for eight or seven. They market them instead as seven-passenger vehicles since neither offers captain’s seats in the second row.
The space behind the seats is almost identical in all three vehicles. It is therefore puzzling why Toyota claims to have seven or eight seats unless three children are included. It is impossible to call it eight seats, even when equipped with the second-row bench.
The third-row seat is only comfortable for three small children or two adults on a long trip.
The lack of legroom in the third row separates it from the second in all three vehicles. The third-row footwell is smaller than the competitors, measuring just 27.7 inches. Legroom for the second row is 35.5 in., while the legroom of the front seat is 44.3 in.
You lose almost an inch and a half in legroom from the front to the third row. Seating comfort is also affected by the nine-inch difference between the second-row seat and the third.
The problem is not the size of the seats but the fact that they are smaller. The problem is the narrow footwell, which offers little room for feet and legs. The limited space in the Highlander’s third row makes it hard for adults to fit in.
Need a third passenger seat for your Toyota Highlander?
I haul things with my SUV and pickup truck. I don’t have a large family, friends, or soccer team. The space used to accommodate the third row of seats on an SUV does not interest me, as I view it as space I could use for transporting things, not people.
We all use our cars differently. If I had to transport six people plus myself, an SUV wouldn’t be the best choice. Most SUVs offer excellent ground clearance and can be purchased with all-wheel drives.
Many vehicles today come with all-wheel drive, so you don’t have to buy an SUV. The all-wheel purpose is available on many cars, including sedans and minivans. This feature is no longer a significant selling point for SUVs.
What is the best SUV to suit you?
The Toyota Highlander is as powerful, spacious, and equipped as its rivals, except for the third-row seat. Toyota’s reliability and dependability are something that its competitors need to possess. The Highlander isn’t the most powerful SUV that Toyota sells.
Imagine you want a bigger SUV so all your passengers can be comfortable. The Toyota 4-Runner and Sequoia might be worth considering if you want an SUV. If the Toyota Highlander is what you are looking for and can afford, go ahead. It is a great choice even if you don’t use the third row.
Comments