Subaru Ascent vs. Toyota Highlander

With seating for up to eight, the Subaru Ascent and the Toyota Highlander promise spacious seating and comfort across all three rows. For example, tri-zone automatic climate control is standard with both models, so everyone can keep cool. Yet, the Ascent leans into these everyday essentials more gracefully. Heated front seats? Optional on the Highlander—but standard across every Ascent trim.

When it comes to space, the differential is measurable:

The extra space in the Ascent offers more room to stretch out, stash backpacks, and deliver the flexible configurations needed to conquer your day-to-day routine. Every inch counts when the weekday rush hits, and the Ascent makes those inches feel like miles of breathing room.

Keeping the whole crew entertained takes more than using smart tech, which works with your life. The Toyota Highlander starts you off with an 8-inch display and wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™, which keeps you connected. But the Subaru Ascent ups the ante with its standard 11.6-inch STARLINK® Multimedia Plus system. The bigger screen makes viewing navigation easier and offers a more immersive experience.

Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity comes standard with the Ascent and the Highlander, perfect for streaming shows on tablets or managing work calls in the carpool line. But when you want to dial in your drive, the available Harman Kardon® premium audio system in the Ascent makes your Monday-morning commute feel like a private concert, thanks to the 14 speakers. The Highlander counters with an optional JBL® setup, but with only 11 speakers, the difference is easy to hear.

And here's something Highlander drivers don't get: the Ascent's available Cabin Connect system amplifies your voice through rear speakers —ideal for chatting with third-row passengers.

Under the hood, the Subaru Ascent and the Toyota Highlander deliver comparable powertrains and fuel efficiency. But when you leave the highway behind, the Ascent starts to show its true colors.

Unlike the Highlander, which starts with front-wheel drive, the Ascent comes standard with Subaru's legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Paired with standard Torque Vectoring Control, the Ascent offers more confidence when taking sharp mountain turns or merging onto highways with short on-ramps.

Subaru’s X-MODE® adds extra traction control for rough or slippery terrain. While the Highlander has an available Multi-Terrain Select system, it lacks the enhanced control found with Subaru’s drivetrain and, therefore, doesn’t feel as intuitive off the beaten path.

Sometimes, the path to the perfect campsite is paved with roots and rocks, so the numbers matter. Designed to handle the twists and turns of Mother Nature, the Subaru Ascent and the Toyota Highlander are engineered to traverse the unknown. But how do these models compare?

While the difference in ground clearance is slight, the extra height of the Ascent gives you the confidence to climb over low-lying branches or scrapes on uneven trails. And if your plans include bikes, kayaks, or rooftop tents, the Ascent once again shows its versatility.

Raised roof rails come standard and support a cargo box full of clothes or outdoor gear. Once parked, the Ascent’s impressive roof load capacity is perfect for rooftop camping. With the Highlander, roof rails are optional. While it supports more weight when traveling, it’s not rated for static use, making outdoor adventures less certain.

With big families come big responsibilities. The Subaru Ascent and the Toyota Highlander offer driver-assist technology that lends a helping hand during your everyday drives. Each SUV includes an advanced safety suite: Subaru EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+. With either suite, you'll find brand-specific versions of:

• Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control
• Pre-Collision Braking
• Lane Keep Assist

Each SUV also features a standard Blind-Spot Detection System with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert for added convenience in all situations. But the Ascent takes a few extra steps to help you protect what matters. Its available Surround View Monitor—a similar feature available with the Highlander—gives you a clearer view when parking in tight school lots, while standard Reverse Automatic Braking helps avoid accidents in crowded driveways—something the Highlander doesn't match.

That added safety doesn’t go unnoticed. The Ascent earned an IIHS 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK rating, an honor not extended to the Highlander.

When value meets durability, peace of mind follows. With your active lifestyle, you can't stop thinking about the what-ifs in life. With comparable warranty coverage included with the Subaru Ascent and the Toyota Highlander, you know each brand has your back in the event of the unexpected.

But the Ascent edges ahead with its reputation for longevity and real-world resilience:

• Studies show 96% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today, so your next adventure-mobile might be your kid’s first car.^*
• StarTex® water-repellent upholstery stands up to juice box spills, muddy paw prints, and post-hike gear—without losing its polished look.

These stats and features reassure you that your SUV will grow with your family.