Compare the2024 Subaru AscentVS 2024 Toyota Highlander

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

Safety

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The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Highlander doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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:

	Ascent	Highlander
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	190	292
Neck Injury Risk	21%	38.2%
Neck Stress	229 lbs.	347 lbs.
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	55 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	159/292 lbs.	321/243 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	210	328
Leg Forces (l/r)	35/30 lbs.	545/323 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Ascent is safer than the Highlander:

	Ascent	Highlander
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	135/202 pounds	270/315 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	135/202 pounds	270/315 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

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:

	Ascent	Highlander
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	55
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	79 lbs.
Hip Force	274 lbs.	300 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	114
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	37 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	149	366
Hip Force	637 lbs.	664 lbs.

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

The Subaru Ascent has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Highlander is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Reliability

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.

Engine

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.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

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 Highlander doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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:

	Ascent	Highlander
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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 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.

Suspension and Handling

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.

Passenger Space

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, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear hip room, 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room, .1 inches more third row headroom, 3.7 inches more third row legroom, .3 inches more third row hip room and 2.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Highlander.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Ascent	Highlander
Behind Third Seat	17.8 cubic feet	16 cubic feet

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

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.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $550 less than the Highlander over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Ascent will be $155 to $1384 less than for the Toyota Highlander.

Recommendations

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

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