Compare the2024 Subaru AscentVS 2023 Toyota Highlander

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

Both the Ascent and the Highlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, 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 Highlander:

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

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 Highlander:

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

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

The Ascent has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander (19.3 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Highlander doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Ascent’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Highlander are solid, not vented.

The Ascent stops shorter than the Highlander:

For better traction, the Ascent has larger tires than the Highlander (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18).

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 Highlander L/LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Highlander XSE/Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ascent’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Highlander (113.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ascent has 11.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Highlander (153.2 vs. 141.8).

The Ascent has .2 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear hip room, .1 inches more third row headroom, 3.7 inches more third row legroom and .3 inches more third row hip room than the Highlander.

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

The engine in the Ascent is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Highlander. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 Highlander doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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 Highlander offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Ascent and the Toyota Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.