2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

$39,995 · Crossover

$41,360 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The battle between the rugged 2025 Subaru Ascent and the spacious 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander pits steadfast capability against sheer volume. The Ascent excites with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, perfectly matched with its $39,995 entry price. Conversely, the Grand Highlander boasts superior hauling power, delivering 310 lb-ft of torque—a substantial 33 lb-ft advantage over Subaru—while offering a cavernous 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Ascent's 17.8 cu ft. While the Ascent is narrower at 76.0 inches, the Toyota stretches longer at 201.4 inches, emphasizing interior bulk. Though the Ascent gets 22 MPG combined, the Toyota edges it out slightly with 24 MPG combined, despite the Ascent's standard AWD making its efficiency commendable. The powertrain difference is stark: the Toyota uses an 8-speed automatic, while the Ascent employs a CVT.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander offers better fuel economy at 24 MPG combined versus the Ascent's 22 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

The Grand Highlander offers significantly more utility with 20.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Ascent's 17.8 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Ascent

The standard All-Wheel Drive and the immediate power delivery of the Ascent’s 277 lb-ft torque setup will appeal more to drivers valuing consistent handling.

💰 Best Value

2025 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent undercuts the starting price by $1,465, beginning at $39,995 while still providing 260 horsepower.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

You require standard All-Wheel Drive for confidence in varied weather conditions.
You prioritize saving money upfront, as the Ascent starts at $39,995.
You prefer the handling feel of a vehicle paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...

Maximum hauling capability is essential, given its 20.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
You desire the higher torque figure of 310 lb-ft for towing or acceleration.
You prefer the more conventional feel of an 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Subaru Ascent	Toyota Grand Highlander
Length	196.8"	201.4"
Width	76.0"	78.3"
Height	71.6"	70.1"
Wheelbase	113.8"	116.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	—
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	flat 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	260 hp @ 5600 rpm	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.0/501.8 mi.	373.8/498.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.3 gal.	17.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Infotainment Display	11.6 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	4 months	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Front Head Room	41.2 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	42.2 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.1 in.	60.2 in.
Front Hip Room	57.8 in.	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—

Rearseats

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	40.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.6 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.3 in.	58.8 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.5 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R	255/65R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Subaru	Toyota
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Ascent and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander compared to the 2025 Subaru Ascent?

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander packs a slight punch with 265 horsepower, marginally beating the Ascent's 260 hp. More importantly, the Toyota achieves 310 lb-ft of torque, significantly surpassing the Ascent's 277 lb-ft rating.

Which crossover is better for carrying gear, based on cargo volume?

The Toyota Grand Highlander offers substantially more room for gear, boasting a maximum cargo capacity of 20.6 cubic feet. This gives it a notable advantage over the 2025 Subaru Ascent, which provides 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row.

Does the AWD system in the Ascent justify the lower MPG rating?

The Subaru Ascent comes standard with All-Wheel Drive and achieves a combined 22 MPG, whereas the front-wheel-drive biased Grand Highlander gets 24 MPG combined. The Ascent's efficiency remains competitive despite the inclusion of AWD standard equipment.

What is the main difference in the transmission technology between these two SUVs?

The vehicles use distinct transmission philosophies: the 2025 Subaru Ascent utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), known for maximizing efficiency, while the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander employs a more traditional 8-speed automatic transmission.

How do the exterior dimensions impact maneuverability?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is the narrower and slightly shorter vehicle overall, measuring 76.0 inches wide and 196.8 inches long. This slightly more compact footprint might prove easier to navigate and park than the considerably longer 201.4-inch 2026 Grand Highlander.

Is the higher starting MSRP of the Grand Highlander justified by the performance specs?

The 2026 Grand Highlander starts at $41,360, which is $1,465 more than the Ascent's $39,995. This premium buys you 5 more horsepower, 33 more lb-ft of torque, and 2.8 cubic feet more cargo space, positioning it as the choice for those prioritizing ultimate capability.