2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent entered the market, it immediately filled a notable gap in Subaru's lineup. This three-row SUV was a timely addition, especially considering the Tribeca's past failed attempt at claiming this segment. The Ascent’s exterior design mirrored a scaled-up version of the Subaru Forester and Outback, embodying the quintessential rugged yet family-friendly aura. It sported solid trims including Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring.

The Standard trim was ample with features like a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, and several driver-assistance technologies. As you moved up the trims—Premium, Limited, and Touring—the Ascent added progressively luxurious features such as an 8-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable seats, ambient cabin lighting, and a top-of-the-line 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system.

Conversely, the 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but ordinary in the bustling midsize SUV market. It brought a distinctive flair that differentiated it from a slew of homogeneous SUVs. The Highlander’s design was marked by wide headlights, a bold trapezoidal grille, and a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car. The rear lights had an upscale touch, echoing Lexus-like design elements.

The Highlander introduced the XSE trim, picturing a sporty, aggressive appearance. However, our experience with the Limited trim revealed an upscale SUV accented with chrome and premium materials inside. The Highlander's interior impressed with its fit and finish. It boasted tan leather seats with dark brown trim and visually appealing wood details.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing a robust 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This power was channeled through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to Subaru’s renowned Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Its ride was tailored for comfort, handling urban roads and highways competently, while its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive made it a formidable SUV in snowy conditions. It excelled at light off-roading and could tow up to 5,000 pounds, which was commendable for its class.

In comparison, the 2021 Toyota Highlander came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could opt for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. While it wasn’t designed to dominate drag strips, it provided reassuring performance on highways and was competitive with other midsize SUVs like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The XSE trim added a sportier edge with its retuned suspension, but it leaned more towards comfort rather than athleticism. The Highlander wasn’t built for rugged terrains, but its suspension made it a comfortable family hauler.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. Though ample, it fell short compared to competitors like the Volkswagen Atlas and Chevrolet Traverse, which offered up to 96.8 and 98.2 cubic feet respectively. The Ascent could seat eight passengers in its standard configuration, or seven with optional second-row captain's chairs. It was spacious in the first two rows, with the third row being suitable for shorter trips for adults. A notable feature included 19 cupholders spread throughout the cabin, ensuring hydration wasn't an issue.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, in contrast, offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, slightly expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row down, and maxing out at 84.3 cubic feet with all rows folded. Though smaller than the Ascent, it provided adequate space for most needs. The Highlander's second-row seats slid to optimize legroom, but the third row was a bit tighter for adults. Unique interior elements included well-placed shelves for cell phones and a wireless charging pad in higher trims. However, the overhead placement of rear-seat climate control vents was a curious design choice that some might find inconvenient.

Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system in the Ascent was intuitive, featuring logical menus and large icons. The standard 6.5-inch touchscreen could be upgraded to an 8-inch unit in higher trims. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with standard USB ports in the front and second rows. Additional tech features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo in the top-tier trim.

Toyota’s infotainment system in the Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen standard in lower trims, with a 12.3-inch version available in Limited and standard in Platinum trims. Navigation was optional and sometimes struggled with points of interest. Standard features across the lineup included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the larger touchscreen only utilizing its full width for navigation apps. The JBL audio system, though decent, wasn’t groundbreaking.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ recognition, thanks in part to its comprehensive EyeSight suite. This included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Ascent also had automatic high beams and adaptive headlights as standard for 2021. Available safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite, also boasted a plethora of advanced safety features. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the IIHS recognized the Highlander for its safety, with a five-star rating and Top Safety Pick+ award respectively.