Compare the2026 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2026 Subaru Ascent

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Grand Highlander achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Subaru Ascent has not been tested.

The Grand Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ascent doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Grand Highlander and Ascent have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Ascent’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Grand Highlander and the Ascent have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Grand Highlander is safer than the Ascent:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Subaru Ascent:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Ascent.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Highlander’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

The Grand Highlander’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (265 vs. 260) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 102 more horsepower (362 vs. 260) and 123 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the Ascent:

Regenerative brakes improve the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Ascent doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Grand Highlander’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available Hybrid). The Ascent doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Grand Highlander higher (6 out of 10) than the Subaru Ascent (4). This means the Grand Highlander produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ascent every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Grand Highlander’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ascent:

The Grand Highlander stops shorter than the Ascent:

For better traction, the Grand Highlander has larger tires than the Ascent (255/65R18 vs. 245/60R18).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grand Highlander’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Ascent (116.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Grand Highlander is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Ascent.

The Grand Highlander’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Ascent’s (54.2% to 45.8%). This gives the Grand Highlander more stable handling and braking.

The Grand Highlander Platinum handles at .80 G’s, while the Ascent Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Grand Highlander Platinum is quieter than the Ascent Touring:

The Grand Highlander has .3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more third row headroom, 1.8 inches more third row legroom and .3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Ascent.

The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Ascent.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ascent doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The power windows standard on both the Grand Highlander and the Ascent have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Grand Highlander is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Ascent prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Grand Highlander’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Grand Highlander the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Grand Highlander’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the Ascent doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Highlander Platinum also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Ascent doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Grand Highlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Ascent doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander retains 64.27% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 50.27% resale value of the 2025 Subaru Ascent after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $5290 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Subaru Ascent, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The Ascent has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Toyota Grand Highlander outsold the Subaru Ascent by 24% during 2024.