DriveSize

2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

Side view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
Side view of the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate

Volkswagen Golf

Estate 2024

Toyota Highlander

2020

Side view of the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate
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Side view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander
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Select unit of measurement:

Which is bigger, the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate or 2020 Toyota Highlander?

Key dimensions: length, width, height

The 2020 Toyota Highlander measures an extra 31.9 cm in length, providing a slightly more substantial footprint on the road than the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate. The 2020 Toyota Highlander gains you 14.1 cm in width, likely providing extra elbow room inside compared to the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate, but you'll need more caution when navigating tight city streets. The height difference is quite significant, with the 2020 Toyota Highlander standing a substantial 24.3 cm taller than the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate. The 2020 Toyota Highlander offers 18.1 cm more between the tires thanks to its wheelbase advantage, which is usually a sign of a more spacious cabin.

Measurements

Length

463.1 cm

495 cm (+31.9)

Height

148.7 cm

173 cm (+24.3)

Body width

178.9 cm

193 cm (+14.1)

Ground clearance

N/A

20.3 cm

Wheelbase

266.9 cm

285 cm (+18.1)

Footprint

DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.

8.3 m²

9.6 m² (+1.3)

How each car compares with its class average

Length

463.1 cm

11.4 cm shorter than the average Estate

495 cm

42.4 cm longer than the average Crossover

Height

148.7 cm

1.4 cm taller than the average Estate

173 cm

10.2 cm taller than the average Crossover

Body width

178.9 cm

5.2 cm narrower than the average Estate

193 cm

8.1 cm wider than the average Crossover

Ground clearance

N/A

20.3 cm

2.2 cm more ground clearance than the average Crossover

Wheelbase

266.9 cm

10.8 cm shorter wheelbase than the average Estate

285 cm

12.6 cm longer wheelbase than the average Crossover

Footprint

DriveSize footprint is overall length multiplied by body width.

8.3 m²

0.5 m² smaller footprint than the average Estate

9.6 m²

1.2 m² larger footprint than the average Crossover

Front view

Front view of the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate
Front view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander

Cargo Capacity: which has more space?

Standard and largest cargo capacity

A direct comparison between the 2020 Toyota Highlander’s 453 L (SAE) and the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate’s 611 L (VDA) cargo capacity isn't possible due to different measurement methods, but the 2020 Toyota Highlander is average for its class. The 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate is average for its class. The 2020 Toyota Highlander offers 2,387 L (SAE) with the seats stowed, a figure that is way above average for crossover, while the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate follows the VDA standard (1,642 L), which is way above average for estate.

Measurements

Standard cargo capacity (VDA)

The standard cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.

This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.

611 L

N/A

Largest cargo capacity (VDA)

The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.

If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.

1,642 L

N/A

Standard cargo capacity (SAE)

The standard cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.

This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.

N/A

453 L

Largest cargo capacity (SAE)

The largest cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.

If only one SAE figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.

N/A

2,387 L

Cargo space vs length

This DriveSize metric divides blended cargo volume by overall vehicle length.

Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure, using VDA where available and SAE otherwise.

209.9 L per m

228.3 L per m (+18.4)

Cargo space vs footprint

This DriveSize metric divides blended cargo volume by footprint.

Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure, using VDA where available and SAE otherwise.

It helps show how efficiently a car turns exterior area into usable cargo space.

117.3 L per m²

118.3 L per m² (+1)

How each car compares with its class average

Standard cargo capacity (VDA)

The standard cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.

This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.

611 L

63 L more cargo volume than the average Estate

N/A

Largest cargo capacity (VDA)

The largest cargo capacity using VDA, the method commonly used globally.

If only one VDA figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.

1,642 L

73 L more cargo volume than the average Estate

N/A

Standard cargo capacity (SAE)

The standard cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.

This is the manufacturer's normal published figure; it does not imply a particular seat configuration.

N/A

453 L

286 L less cargo volume than the average Crossover

Largest cargo capacity (SAE)

The largest cargo capacity using SAE, the method commonly used in the US.

If only one SAE figure is published, the standard and largest values are the same.

N/A

2,387 L

516 L more cargo volume than the average Crossover

DriveSize space efficiency

DriveSize space efficiency compares blended cargo volume per square meter of footprint with the class average.

Blended cargo uses 65% of the standard figure and 35% of the largest figure within the selected cargo measurement method.

VDA values compare with VDA class averages, and SAE values compare with SAE class averages. Positive percentages indicate more space efficiency and negative percentages indicate less.

+13%

VDA: More space efficient than the average Estate

-10%

SAE: Less space efficient than the average Crossover

Rear view

Rear view of the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate
Rear view of the 2020 Toyota Highlander

Details

Doors, seats, weight, maneuverability

Both the 2020 Toyota Highlander and 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate come with a 5-door setup, providing identical passenger access. The 2020 Toyota Highlander can handle 3 additional passengers than the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate, which is a decent step up in practicality. The vehicles have a near identical turning circle, with just a 0.1 m difference.

Measurements

Doors

5

5

Max. seats

5

8 (+3)

Turning circle

11.3 m

11.4 m (+0.1)

Curb weight

N/A

1,880 kg

How each car compares with its class average

Turning circle

11.3 m

0.1 m larger turning circle than the average Estate

11.4 m

0.2 m larger turning circle than the average Crossover

Curb weight

N/A

1,880 kg

248 kg heavier than the average Crossover

DriveSize manoeuvrability

DriveSize manoeuvrability combines turning circle and footprint, with turning circle weighted more heavily.

A positive percentage means more manoeuvrable than the class average and a negative percentage means less manoeuvrable.

+1%

More manoeuvrable than the average Estate

-5%

Less manoeuvrable than the average Crossover

Parking

Will the 2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate or 2020 Toyota Highlander fit in a standard parking space?

2024 Volkswagen Golf Estate parking fit score

DriveSize compares the car's width and length with typical parking-space sizes by region.

Vehicle dimensions are rounded up and available side or length clearance is rounded down.

Side clearance is based on body width where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.

OK

For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 48 cm per side, and length clearance is 43 cm at each end.

Body side clearance

48 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

43 cm

2020 Toyota Highlander parking fit score

DriveSize compares the car's width and length with typical parking-space sizes by region.

Vehicle dimensions are rounded up and available side or length clearance is rounded down.

Side clearance is based on body width where available; real spaces can vary because of mirrors, walls, pillars, kerbs, bay markings, and nearby cars.

OK

For an average USA / Canada space: body side clearance is 41 cm per side, and length clearance is 27.5 cm at each end.

Body side clearance

41 cm

Length clearance (at each end)

27.5 cm

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

By DriveSize •

Vehicle specifications on this page are sourced from official Volkswagen and Toyota documentation. Unless the page identifies a specific trim, body style, powertrain or market version, DriveSize uses manufacturer-published specifications for the base model as its default reference. DriveSize standardises the published measurements and calculates the comparisons and derived figures shown. Figures can vary by market, model year, trim, powertrain, wheels, tyres and measurement method. How DriveSize sources and calculates these figures.