Battle of the suvs: subaru ascent vs. toyota highlander – which reigns supreme?
What To Know
- The Subaru Ascent has a starting price of $33,945, while the Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $34,950.
- The Ascent offers more standard features than the Highlander, but the Highlander offers more cargo space and a more powerful V6 engine.
- The Ascent offers more standard features and a softer ride, while the Highlander offers more cargo space and a more powerful engine.
The Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander are two of the most popular three-row SUVs on the market today. Both offer a spacious cabin, plenty of features, and a comfortable ride. But which one is right for you? In this detailed comparison, we’ll put the Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander head-to-head to help you make an informed decision.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Subaru Ascent comes standard with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, offers a choice of two engines: a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid with 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of fuel economy, the Ascent gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with the standard engine. The Highlander V6 gets 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the hybrid gets an impressive 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.
Interior Space and Comfort
Both the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander offer spacious cabins with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The Ascent has a slight edge in terms of interior space, with 153.5 cubic feet of passenger volume compared to the Highlander’s 141.3 cubic feet. However, the Highlander offers more cargo space behind the third row of seats, with 16.1 cubic feet compared to the Ascent’s 11.6 cubic feet.
In terms of comfort, both SUVs offer comfortable seats and a quiet ride. The Ascent has a slightly softer suspension than the Highlander, which makes it more comfortable on rough roads. The Highlander, on the other hand, has a more responsive suspension that provides better handling.
Features and Technology
The Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander come with a long list of standard features, including:
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- Power liftgate
- Rear-seat entertainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
The Ascent also comes standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of safety features, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Highlander offers a similar suite of safety features as an option.
Safety
Both the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander have received excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Ascent earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, while the Highlander earned a four-star overall safety rating. Both SUVs earned “Good” ratings in all IIHS crash tests.
Price
The Subaru Ascent has a starting price of $33,945, while the Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $34,950. The Ascent offers more standard features than the Highlander, but the Highlander offers more cargo space and a more powerful V6 engine.
The Verdict
The Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander are both excellent three-row SUVs. The Ascent offers more standard features and a softer ride, while the Highlander offers more cargo space and a more powerful engine. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Which SUV is Right for You?
If you’re looking for a spacious and comfortable SUV with plenty of standard features, the Subaru Ascent is a great choice. If you need more cargo space or a more powerful engine, the Toyota Highlander is a better option.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
1. Which SUV has more cargo space?
The Toyota Highlander has more cargo space behind the third row of seats than the Subaru Ascent.
2. Which SUV has more standard features?
The Subaru Ascent comes with more standard features than the Toyota Highlander, including Subaru‘s EyeSight suite of safety features.
3. Which SUV has a more powerful engine?
The Toyota Highlander offers a more powerful V6 engine than the Subaru Ascent.
4. Which SUV gets better fuel economy?
The Toyota Highlander hybrid gets better fuel economy than the Subaru Ascent.
5. Which SUV is safer?
Both the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander have received excellent safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.