2022 Toyota Highlander vs. Subaru Ascent: Which One Is Best For Me?

At initial glance, the 2022 Toyota Highlander and the 2022 Subaru Ascent show up to be quite comparable. They are each obtainable for a similar price tag, they each seat eight individuals, they the two have the exact same gasoline mileage, and they are both attempting to attractiveness to the exact same audience. Most men and women are a lot more familiar with Toyotas than they are with Subarus, but Subaru has a wonderful track record and robust model loyalty for people who take the plunge. Equally the Highlander and the Ascent are cozy SUVs aimed at families searching for a protected and cozy journey around city.

So, which 1 is much better? Is the Highlander or the Ascent a far better fit for you? This write-up aims to supply normal consumers with all of the information they need to have to make an informed decision and decide on the appropriate SUV for them.


At a Glance

2022 Toyota Highlander
  • Base Price (MSRP): $35,405
  • Fuel Mileage: 21 city/29 highway
  • Cargo Volume: 16 cubic feet
  • Passenger Volume: 141.3 cubic feet
  • Horsepower: 295
  • Base Engine: 5L V6 engine
2022 Subaru Ascent
  • Base Price (MSRP): $32,295
  • Fuel Mileage: 21 city/27 highway
  • Cargo Volume: 17.8 cubic feet
  • Passenger Volume: 153.5 cubic feet
  • Horsepower: 260
  • Base Engine: 2.4L 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER

Overview of 2022 Toyota Highlander:

The Toyota Highlander is the most inexpensive model of Toyota’s three-row SUVs. The Highlander joins the Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia in this category but arrives in comfortably less costly than both 1 of its siblings. The Highlander delivers a good deal of Toyota’s useful and sensible style alternatives to a massive SUV. 3-row SUVs utilized to be reserved for the wealthiest customers but Toyota has moved to create a Highlander model for a sensible cost that can nonetheless seat eight people.

The Highlander is run by a great-sized V6 engine which puts out almost 300 horsepower. The Highlander does not battle with power or pace. With the tow deal the Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds and it will do it with a smile. Other SUVs with token tow packages usually struggle to pull their masses but the motor in the latest types retains its bodyweight. The 2022 Highlander is accessible in a hybrid product as nicely which is a good touch. For an further $five,000 consumers can up grade to a hybrid that provides outstanding gasoline mileage. The hybrid boosts expected MPG from the lower 20s to the mid-30s.

Inside of, the Highlander is successful but not magnificent. The interior feels nice, but it does not really feel particularly deluxe or modern. Almost everything works properly and appears okay but don’t assume over-the-best luxury in the Highlander. The Highlander is reminiscent of a RAV4 with a third row tacked on. When entirely loaded at capacity the Highlander also feels a tad cramped. The interior could have been a bit roomier for greatest comfort.

Pros
  • Great performance
  • Affordable three-row SUV from Toyota
  • Hybrid option available
Cons
  • Basic interior
  • Could be roomier

Overview of 2022 Subaru Ascent:

The Subaru Ascent strike the market in 2018 and it has gradually been developing into some thing excellent ever considering that. The Ascent is a three-row SUV created for families. The Ascent is really roomy and can comfortably seat 8 travellers with their private belongings in specific configurations. In simple fact, that room is the largest spotlight of the Ascent. It is effortlessly a single of the most cozy SUVs on the market. The inside never ever feels cramped and there is more than enough room for suitcases and groceries in the trunk. The Ascent manages to maximize passenger capacity without sacrificing comfort and cargo place. Not numerous SUVs can make that exact same claim.

The Ascent has a whole lot of distinct amounts and possibilities such as sophisticated safety deals, lovely paint work, and a panoramic moonroof. The mid-variety and upper-assortment designs will effortlessly surpass $forty,000 so if you get queasy about having to pay for upgrades you might want to shy absent from some of the Ascent’s pricier packages.

The Ascent’s most significant downside is Subaru’s base engine. The motor for this sized car feels underpowered. The acceleration is sluggish, and the SUV completely struggles when towing its max load of five,000 lbs. It will get the work carried out but you are not going to be acquiring everywhere in a hurry. Once the car is up to speed the Ascent provides a smooth and peaceful trip that is almost unmatched. But the engine could be beefier.

Anybody searching for a sound, trusted, big SUV with loads of room for the youngsters, prolonged family, local soccer team, or tons of baggage will discover lots to enjoy with the Subaru Ascent. The undersized engine and methodical dealing with are the only issues keeping this SUV back again from real greatness.

Pros
  • Super spacious
  • Looks great
  • Seats eight
  • Reasonably priced
Cons
  • Engine performance could be better
  • Stiff handling

How Do They Compare?

Performance

Edge: Highlander

Subaru is recognized for a lot of items, but powerful functionality engines are not 1 of them. Like a lot of Subarus, the Ascent feels sluggish, and the four-cylinder engine feels undersized for a automobile of this excess weight. The Highlander’s beefier V6 seems and feels the element better. Each vehicles occur with a detailed towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, but the Highlander is heading to pull its weight greater. The Ascent is heading to come to feel extremely sluggish when towing at max ability.

Thanks to the more substantial engine size and better horsepower, the Highlander takes the edge in phrases of overall functionality. The Ascent offers a sleek journey, but it is not always a fast 1.

Price

Edge: Ascent

Remarkably, the Subaru Ascent is marginally more affordable than the Toyota Highlander. Subaru has a track record for getting a minor much more expensive than the regular automobile, so the pricing here was unforeseen. The Ascent is not considerably more affordable than the Highlander, but every single model is about $2k much less costly than the Toyota equivalent. That cost difference carries upwards via the luxurious designs as well. Although the Highlander does have a much better motor and much better efficiency metrics, the Ascent is a tiny roomier. If you are searching to conserve a number of bucks, you will get a excellent offer with the Ascent more than the Highlander primarily based on MSRP rates.

Fuel Economy

Edge: Highlander

The Highlander and Ascent have almost identical MPG scores for their foundation designs. Equally the Highlander and the Ascent can anticipate to pull in 21 miles per gallon in the metropolis and appropriate close to 28 miles for every gallon on the freeway. Nevertheless, Toyota will take the edge for a couple of motives. Initial, the Toyota motor is a larger 3.5L V6 so it will get a lot more overall performance with the very same gas mileage as the Subaru. Second, Toyota offers the Highlander in a hybrid.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid can get up to 36 MPG on the highway and in the metropolis. That is a considerable boost over the base model. The hybrid model is a good deal a lot more high-priced than the base model, but it is an choice. As of appropriate now, there is no hybrid variant of the Ascent. If gas mileage is critical for your selection, you can shell out the added income for a hybrid Highlander, which gives Toyota the edge more than Subaru in this case.

Durability

Edge: Ascent

Subarus are acknowledged for their longevity and toughness. Although Subarus are somewhat a lot more pricey to keep over the long run in contrast to Toyota, Subarus also previous longer. Subaru has a lot more automobiles on the road following ten years than any other manufacturer on the industry. If you are hunting for a vehicle that will previous you a ten years or a lot more, you simply cannot go mistaken with the Subaru Ascent. Toyotas are low cost to preserve, but they slide just a tiny limited in comparison to Subaru’s legendary reputation.

Size

Edge: Ascent

The Ascent beats out Highlander in nearly each measurement metric. The Ascent features a complete 12 cubic toes much more passenger space than the Highlander. That is a whole lot of additional area, particularly if you program on possessing a complete car. People extra few feet are going to really feel fantastic when the entire family members is together for the experience. The Ascent does not sacrifice cargo space for passenger room both. The Ascent’s cargo capability driving the third row is seventeen.8 cubic toes, which is nearly two toes roomier than the Highlander. If you are looking for an SUV with a whole lot of room, the Ascent simply beats out Highlander.


What the Users Say

Toyota Highlander

Drivers seem to really like the number of regular characteristics that appear with the Highlander. The volume of normal characteristics indicates you do not have to upgrade to a much more pricey design to take pleasure in every little thing Toyota has to supply. The regular functions incorporate Toyota’s latest basic safety tech and ideal engine. Everybody also raves about the hybrid option. Not everyone can afford to get a brand-new hybrid but having the selection is welcome.

The factors that individuals seemed to complain about the most contain a cramped 3rd row. When we mentioned the Highlander feels like a RAV4 with a 3rd row stapled on we weren’t kidding. Some men and women also complained about how considerably was occurring on the dash while driving with a couple of men and women opting for a easier dashboard configuration.

All in all, the Highlander is a effectively-appreciated car and a best SUV for households.


Subaru Ascent

People love how the Ascent rides. Drivers rave about the comfort and the place that the Ascent offers. The next row has plush captain’s seats that are a pleasure to trip in for long distances. The cabin is tranquil and in no way feels cramped even when a whole lot of folks are on board.

Nevertheless, motorists say the Ascent is sluggish. When it is fully loaded receiving up to speed and passing on the freeway is a chore. The motor strains so much at factors that it ruins the cabin’s peaceful envelope. Even though the engine is a noted issue mark on this design drivers have confirmed that it is ponderous at higher speeds and can wrestle to accelerate.

Regardless of people downsides, owners say that if you are searching for a comfortable and cozy SUV for your family members the Ascent is a pleasure to ride in.

Related Read through: Toyota 86 vs. Subaru BRZ: Which One’s Ideal For Me?


Conclusion

There is a great deal to like in both the 2022 Toyota Highlander and the 2022 Subaru Ascent. The choice amongst the two will occur down to whether or not you favor overall performance or comfort and ease. The Subaru Ascent is supremely comfortable. It is peaceful, smooth, and feels roomy. The Highlander is a little bit more cramped but the motor performs properly and it handles considerably far better than the Ascent. Each SUVs are capable of hauling about a large family members on their every day organization. Truthfully, there most likely is no incorrect answer among the newest designs of these superb SUVs.


Featured Graphic Credit rating: (Left) Piqsels (Proper) Subaru Ascent (Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC four. International)

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