Suv vs minivan: subaru ascent vs toyota sienna for the perfect family vehicle

When it comes to choosing a family-friendly vehicle, the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Sienna stand out as two of the most popular options. Both offer spacious interiors, advanced safety features, and plenty of versatility. But which one is the right choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the Subaru Ascent against the Toyota Sienna to help you make an informed decision.

Performance and Efficiency

Subaru Ascent: The Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Ascent can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Toyota Sienna: The Sienna offers two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-liter hybrid engine with 243 horsepower. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Ascent gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. The Sienna gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway with the four-cylinder engine and 36 mpg city/36 mpg highway with the hybrid engine.

Interior and Features

Subaru Ascent: The Ascent offers seating for up to eight passengers in three rows. The interior is spacious and well-appointed, with comfortable seats and plenty of legroom. Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Toyota Sienna: The Sienna also offers seating for up to eight passengers in three rows. The interior is slightly more spacious than the Ascent’s, with even more legroom in the second and third rows. Standard features include a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Both the Ascent and Sienna offer a variety of optional features, such as leather seats, heated and cooled seats, a sunroof, and a premium audio system.

Safety

Subaru Ascent: The Ascent received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Toyota Sienna: The Sienna also received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Both the Ascent and Sienna offer a variety of optional safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams.

Versatility

Subaru Ascent: The Ascent’s spacious interior and all-wheel drive system make it a versatile vehicle for both everyday use and outdoor adventures. The second and third rows of seats can be folded down to create a flat cargo area, and the Ascent offers plenty of storage compartments throughout the cabin.

Toyota Sienna: The Sienna’s sliding rear doors and removable second-row seats make it easy to load and unload passengers and cargo. The Sienna also offers a variety of seating configurations, including a seven-passenger configuration with captain’s chairs in the second row.

Pricing

Subaru Ascent: The Ascent has a starting price of $33,945 for the base trim level. The top-of-the-line Touring trim level starts at $47,645.

Toyota Sienna: The Sienna has a starting price of $34,560 for the base LE trim level. The top-of-the-line Limited Platinum trim level starts at $50,755.

The Verdict

Both the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Sienna are excellent choices for families. The Ascent offers a more powerful engine and all-wheel drive, while the Sienna offers a more spacious interior and a hybrid powertrain option. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re considering the Subaru Ascent or Toyota Sienna, you may also want to consider the following alternatives:

• Honda Odyssey
• Kia Carnival
• Chrysler Pacifica

Questions You May Have

1. Which vehicle has a better fuel economy?
The Toyota Sienna hybrid has a better fuel economy than the Subaru Ascent, with an EPA-estimated 36 mpg city/36 mpg highway compared to the Ascent’s 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway.

2. Which vehicle has a more spacious interior?
The Toyota Sienna has a slightly more spacious interior than the Subaru Ascent, with more legroom in the second and third rows.

3. Which vehicle has a higher towing capacity?
The Subaru Ascent has a higher towing capacity than the Toyota Sienna, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds compared to the Sienna’s 3,500 pounds.