Midsized Three-Row SUV Face-Off: Subaru Ascent vs. Toyota Highlander
These family-friendly models compete for a space in your driveway
When the Subaru Ascent debuted, it took on and outscored the previous-generation Toyota Highlander as the best three-row midsized SUV in our tests. But the landscape has changed.
Toyota countered with a redesigned Highlander in 2020, featuring both V6 and hybrid powertrains. It joined an increasingly competitive segment, challenged by not only the Ascent, but also the impressive Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, which unseated the Toyota from the top rung in the category.
The Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander provide well-rounded packages that generally satisfy their owners. But they each have strengths and weaknesses that buyers should know about before making their purchase decision.
Both the Subaru and Toyota were freshened for 2023, with the Highlander receiving the most significant change: a new powertrain, swapping out the long-running V6 engine for a 265-hp, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
