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Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander

2026 Subaru Ascent vs 2026 Toyota Highlander — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Subaru Ascent

2026 Subaru Ascent

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS2 – 4Toyota Highlander wins 4 of 6 categories
Toyota Highlander

2026 Toyota Highlander

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Toyota Highlander is more fuel-efficient: 35 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,150 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Highlander (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Subaru Ascent is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Subaru Ascent has had fewer recall campaigns (13 vs 47).

The two cars

The 2026 Subaru Ascent is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 197 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,420 lb (Convenience 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,123 lb (4dr SUV L FWD).

Buying used? The 2024 Ascent and the 2024 Highlander have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 Ascent and the 2021 Highlander.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
35 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
35 city
$3,050
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,900

Performance & space

260 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
265 hp
8
Seats (most)
7
196.9 in
Length
194.9 in
71.7 in
Width
76 in
76 in
Height
68.1 in
4,420 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,123 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
14
1
Recalls (2026)
0
13
Recalls, all years since 2005
47
3
Owner complaints (latest year)
4

Interest

4,331
Wikipedia views, 30 days
21,118

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
2021

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Subaru Ascent if…

  • You need more seats (8 vs 7)
  • You put reliability history first (13 vs 47 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Highlander if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (35 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Subaru Ascent

  • Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Highlander

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 75% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Subaru Ascent specs →Full 2026 Toyota Highlander specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →