2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander had a design that was somewhat unremarkable from the side, with a few updates from the previous model year, such as a more slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various parts of the vehicle, including the tailgate's license plate cutout, rear bumper, headlights, grille, and lower front bumper. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum featured projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, as well as attractive LED running lamps. The new 20-inch wheels were exclusive to these top trims, and new paint colors like Blueprint added a touch of appeal. Inside, the Highlander boasted a well-crafted cabin with quality fit and finish, highlighted by silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with padded surfaces and rich textures, making it one of the nicest interiors in its class.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent, introduced in 2019, filled a long-standing gap in Subaru's lineup for a three-row SUV. Its design was a scaled-up version of the smaller Forester and Outback models, creating a familiar look for Subaru enthusiasts. The cabin followed the same theme, with a dash design similar to other Subaru models, reinforcing the brand's identity. The Ascent was available in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring. The base trim came well-equipped with driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims added more features, such as an 8-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable seats, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The top-tier Touring trim offered luxury features like ventilated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, and a premium Harman Kardon stereo system.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing 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 kickdowns. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride. However, this setup provided a comfortable and isolating driving experience, ideal for long road trips. The AWD models on the Limited and Platinum trims featured torque vectoring and selectable driving modes, enhancing the vehicle's handling. Fuel economy was impressive for a large SUV, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, while the AWD model achieved 20/27/23 mpg.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent's engine performed well in most driving scenarios, particularly in city driving and highway acceleration. The ride was focused on comfort, with responsive handling and the ability to absorb road bumps effectively. The Ascent's 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard AWD, and X-Mode system made it capable in snowy conditions and light off-roading. The vehicle was rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and included a standard Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The rear doors opened wide, making ingress and egress easy. The Highlander featured three-zone climate control, a 120-volt outlet, side window shades, and a heated second row on upper trims. Cargo space was ample, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The vehicle also had multiple cupholders, bottle holders, and convenient storage shelves integrated into the dash.

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 down. While this was generous, some rivals offered more cargo space. The Ascent came standard with a power liftgate, though a hands-free option was not available. The vehicle could seat up to eight passengers, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was suitable for adults on shorter trips and better for kids on longer journeys. The Ascent featured an impressive 19 cupholders and numerous trays and cubbies for storage.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured an outdated infotainment system with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, had limited usable area due to constant display of climate and vehicle information. However, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The vehicle also had a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, both providing useful information. The semi-automated driving system was effective, and the optional JBL audio system offered decent sound quality. Standard tech included SiriusXM, HD radio, WiFi, and multiple USB ports, along with a one-year trial for Safety Connect.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent's StarLink infotainment system featured logical menus and large icons, supported by hard buttons and dials. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with front and second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Available tech included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came 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 had not been rated by the NHTSA but received a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ due to its crash test results and comprehensive EyeSight driver-assistance suite. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, along with a feature that alerted drivers when the vehicle in front had moved. For 2021, the Ascent added standard automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.