Compare the2023 Subaru AscentVS 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Ascent have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota 4Runner doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Ascent (except Base) offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The 4Runner doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ascent. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Ascent uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Ascent and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Ascent	4Runner
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	190	267
Neck Injury Risk	21%	47%
Neck Stress	229 lbs.	438 lbs.
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	54 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	159/292 lbs.	488/468 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	210	367
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33%	57%
Neck Stress	197 lbs.	271 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	35/30 lbs.	453/353 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the 4Runner:

	Ascent	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	71	142
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	12 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.8/.1 kN	3.9/2.4 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia index R/L	.51/.39	.95/.85
Tibia forces R/L	1.8/.1 kN	5/2.9 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Ascent	4Runner
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	41
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	179 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	89
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	36 G’s
Hip Force	346 lbs.	381 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	18 inches	20 inches
HIC	149	507
Hip Force	637 lbs.	895 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Ascent, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 7.6% less likely to roll over than the 4Runner, which received a three-star rating.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ascent its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4Runner is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick.”

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru Ascent is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Ascent	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.4 sec	22 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	130 MPH	105 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

			MPG
Ascent
	AWD	2.4 turbo flat-4	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited/Touring/Onyx 2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy
4Runner
	RWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
	AWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

Transmission

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Ascent stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Ascent	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Ascent’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner’s standard 70 series tires. The Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ascent has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Ascent has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ascent’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the 4Runner (113.8 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

The Ascent Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Ascent Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the Ascent’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner uses body-on-frame design instead.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Ascent Limited is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road:

	Ascent	4Runner
At idle	40 dB	43 dB
Full-Throttle	70 dB	76 dB
70 MPH Cruising	64 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Ascent has standard seating for 8 passengers; the 4Runner can only carry up to 7.

The Ascent has 25.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (153.2 vs. 128).

The Ascent has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 5.7 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room, 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.9 inches more third row headroom, 2.4 inches more third row legroom and 2.6 inches more third row hip room than the 4Runner.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ascent’s middle and third row seats recline. The 4Runner’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Ascent’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	Ascent	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	17.8 cubic feet	9 cubic feet

The Ascent’s cargo area is larger than the 4Runner’s in almost every dimension:

	Ascent	4Runner
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.3”/48”/82.9”	n.a./42”/66.3”
Max Width	50.5”	57.7”
Min Width	45.9”	42.4”
Height	34”	39.5”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Ascent (except Base) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Ascent uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 4Runner doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Ascent has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The 4Runner doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Ascent to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and tire rotation, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

Ergonomics

The Ascent offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Ascent’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 4Runner’s parking brake has to be released manually.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Ascent Base). The 4Runner doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Ascent’s power window and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 4Runner’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Ascent has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Ascent Touring’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The 4Runner’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Ascent has a standard rear speed-sensitive intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Ascent has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ascent has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The 4Runner doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Ascent to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Ascent’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Ascent’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Ascent and the 4Runner offer available heated front seats. The Ascent Limited/Touring also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

On extremely cold winter days, the Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Ascent has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Pro.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Ascent offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $450 less than the 4Runner over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Ascent is less expensive to operate than the 4Runner because typical repairs cost much less on the Ascent than the 4Runner, including $152 less for a water pump, $232 less for a muffler, $17 less for a starter, $149 less for fuel injection, $155 less for a fuel pump, $1396 less for a timing belt/chain and $33 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Ascent, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota 4Runner isn't recommended.

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