2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner had a timeless design characterized by tall slab sides, a high beltline, short overhangs, and a near-vertical front fascia. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate bulky off-road tires and short overhangs for tackling steep pitches and sharp declines. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the off-road-focused TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. Small, angular headlights highlighted the front end, and the grille varied by trim, with body-color bars on most trims and blacked-out accents on the TRD Pro. The Limited trim featured bright chrome accents. The 4Runner's trim lineup included SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, Limited, Nightshade Special Edition, and the new Venture Special Edition. The Nightshade and Venture trims added a stealth aesthetic with blacked-out trim pieces, and the Venture included 17-inch TRD wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof rack.

Our test model, a Limited trim, was aimed at comfort rather than capability. It featured leather upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen, and plenty of chrome, but still had a utilitarian feel with abundant plastic and a seating position designed for off-roading. The 4Runner's optional third row was best suited for short and occasional use, with narrow and thin jump seats that folded toward the floor when not in use.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent, introduced in 2019, filled a long-overdue gap in Subaru's lineup. It had elements of the smaller Forester and Outback, scaled up into a three-row midsize SUV. The cabin design was similar to other Subaru models, likely to create a connection between the Ascent and Subaru's other popular models. Trims included Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring. The Standard trim was well-equipped with driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, four USB ports, and remote keyless entry. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, stain-resistant upholstery, remote start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and second-row climate controls. The Limited trim added push-button start, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, third-row USB ports, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The range-topping Touring trim included second-row captain's chairs, ventilated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-liter V6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine was designed for durability and off-road capability rather than fuel efficiency, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds and excelled off-road, thanks to its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like Toyota's CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select. The 4Runner's steering was heavy and vague, and it had significant body roll in corners. The full-time 4WD system on the Limited trim was better suited for maintaining forward progress, while the part-time system in the TRD models handled more challenging off-road conditions.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent's ride focused on refined comfort, with responsive handling and the ability to soak up bumps. It had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable in snow and light off-roading. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and included a standard Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tight turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches. The interior featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC controls and slightly smaller knobs for the stereo. The 8-inch touchscreen was flanked by physical buttons, and the steering wheel had an array of controls, though they were not illuminated. The 4Runner's tall seating position provided a commanding view of the road, but climbing in and out could be tiring without the power-retractable running boards. The optional third row was narrow and thin, best suited for short and occasional use.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. It came standard with a power liftgate but lacked a hands-free option. The Ascent could seat up to eight passengers in base configuration, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was better suited for kids on longer trips. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and plenty of trays and cubbies for gear.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Toyota's proprietary system was not difficult to understand, but the onboard navigation system was less efficient than Google Maps via Android Auto. The 4Runner also supported Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB media port, and various subscription services like Sirius XM Radio, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a JBL stereo and navigation system. However, the 4Runner lagged behind competitors in total features and usability, with the most advanced features hidden in the powertrain.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent's StarLink infotainment system had logical menu layouts and large icons for its touchscreens. Both screens were backed by hard buttons and dials, as well as a home button. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Ascent came with two front USB ports, two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Available tech features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also had eight standard airbags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 4Runner four out of five stars overall, but only three out of five in its rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 4Runner its best score of Good in all crash tests except the small overlap front: driver-side test, where it scored Marginal.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ due to its crash test results and Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a feature that alerted the driver if the vehicle in front had pulled away. For 2021, the Ascent gained standard automatic high beams and headlights that bent with the steering angle. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.