Compare the2022 Toyota SequoiaVS 2022 Subaru Ascent

The Toyota Sequoia has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ascent doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Sequoia has standard front and rear parking assist sonar to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Ascent doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Sequoia has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sequoia has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring has a rear cross-path warning system.

The Sequoia’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Ascent doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sequoia and the Ascent have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available four-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sequoia weighs 1127 to 1555 pounds more than the Subaru Ascent. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sequoia for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Ascent.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sequoia has a standard 710-amp battery. The Ascent’s 530-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sequoia’s reliability 56 points higher than the Ascent.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia first among large suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Ascent isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 24th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Subaru is ranked 8th.

The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 121 more horsepower (381 vs. 260) and 124 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Sequoia is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

The Sequoia has 7.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ascent (26.4 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Sequoia higher (5 out of 10) than the Subaru Ascent (3). This means the Sequoia produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ascent every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Sequoia’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ascent:

The Sequoia stops shorter than the Ascent:

For better traction, the Sequoia has larger tires than the Ascent (275/65R18 vs. 245/60R18).

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Ascent; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Sequoia has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Ascent’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Sequoia offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Ascent doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Sequoia has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the Ascent (122 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 4.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Ascent.

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ascent (10 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Sequoia 4x4 is quieter than the Ascent Touring (71 vs. 73 dB).

The Sequoia has .3 inches more front legroom, 4.8 inches more front hip room, 5.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room, 5.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.6 inches more third row legroom, 4.5 inches more third row hip room and 8.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Ascent.

The Sequoia’s cargo area provides more volume than the Ascent.

The Sequoia’s cargo area is larger than the Ascent’s in almost every dimension:

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the Sequoia’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Ascent doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Sequoia’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Ascent’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ascent’s (7100 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Sequoia uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Ascent uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Sequoia Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Ascent doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Ascent does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Sequoia’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the front windows are left open on the Sequoia the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Sequoia has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Ascent doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Sequoia’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring.

The Sequoia is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Ascent doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sequoia is less expensive to operate than the Ascent because it costs $246 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Sequoia than the Ascent, including $4 less for a water pump, $169 less for front struts and $82 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sequoia, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Subaru Ascent isn't recommended.