2019 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2019 Subaru Ascent marked a significant departure from Subaru's previous attempt at a 3-row SUV, the B9 Tribeca. Unlike its predecessor, the Ascent was a well-rounded vehicle with bold styling, ample cargo and passenger space, and modern infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. Its upright design, pronounced fenders, and imposing grille gave it a commanding presence on the road. The Ascent's wheelbase of 113.8 inches made it the largest Subaru passenger vehicle ever built, resembling a scaled-up Forester in its exterior design. Inside, the Ascent felt more akin to an extra-large Outback, offering a spacious cabin with options for either a 7-passenger layout with captain's chairs or an 8-passenger layout with a bench. The trims ranged from Base to Touring, each offering a variety of features, from 18-inch alloy wheels and 19 cupholders in the Base trim to a Harman Kardon premium audio system and panoramic moonroof in the Touring trim.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, presented a more understated exterior design with subtle updates from the previous model year, such as slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout and the grille. The Highlander's cabin, however, was where it truly shone, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim featured a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, offering a level of detail and quality that was hard to find in its competitors. The Highlander's interior was inviting and comfortable, with a focus on ergonomics and ease of access, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, providing a smooth and responsive driving experience. The Ascent's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was precise, with minimal body roll. It offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with the tow-prep package. Fuel economy for the Ascent was rated at 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined, with the Limited and Touring trims slightly lower.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Highlander's V6 provided brisk acceleration and a smooth, quiet ride. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride. However, it offered a comfortable and isolating driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel economy for the Highlander was impressive, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 highway, and 24 combined, while the AWD model was slightly lower.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent offered generous legroom and headroom in the first and second rows, while the third row was tighter, suitable for children or short trips. The Ascent's 19 cupholders were a standout feature, providing convenience for road trips. With the third row folded, the Ascent offered 47 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 86 cubic feet with all rear seats down, surpassing competitors like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander could seat eight or seven with captain's chairs, offering versatile second-row seating with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander's cargo space was also ample, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Highlander featured eight cupholders and four bottle holders, along with convenient dash shelves for storage. Its controls were simple and legible, with an intuitive infotainment interface.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came equipped with Subaru's StarLink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with easy-to-use menus and physical buttons for essential functions. The optional Technology Package added a Harman Kardon premium stereo, panoramic moonroof, and navigation.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system, despite being new, felt outdated with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, was not fully utilized. However, the Highlander included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Upper trims featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, along with a semi-automated driving system and adaptive cruise control.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology as standard on all trims. EyeSight included pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Ascent was backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for its crash test performance and emergency braking capabilities.