2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent was introduced, it filled a significant gap in Subaru's lineup, offering a three-row SUV that had been missing since the ill-fated Tribeca. The Ascent's design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, making it instantly recognizable as part of the Subaru family. The interior followed suit, with a dashboard design that mirrored other Subaru models, likely to create a sense of familiarity for loyal customers. The Ascent was available in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each adding more features and luxury as you moved up the line.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, sported a rugged exterior that set it apart from previous generations and most other compact crossovers. Its aggressive styling, including boxy fender flares and chiseled taillights, gave it a more traditional SUV look. The RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which it shared with other Toyota models. This platform provided a solid foundation, although the RAV4's mechanical components were more akin to a Camry than a 4Runner. The RAV4 offered various trims, including the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, which added unique styling elements and off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by 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. While some might have preferred a premium engine option, the standard engine was adequate for most driving scenarios, excelling in city driving and holding its own on the highway. The Ascent's ride focused on comfort, with responsive handling and the ability to absorb road bumps effectively. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru’s X-Mode system, the Ascent was well-suited for snowy conditions and light off-roading. It also had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and included Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a “Dynamic Force” 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and had a high rev range. However, the transmission often hesitated to shift, and the steering lacked feedback, making the driving experience less engaging. The RAV4 offered a “Sport” driving mode, but it only added weight to the steering without improving responsiveness. On the highway, the RAV4 was quieter and more comfortable, with a suspension that handled road imperfections well. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road models featured a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity, enhancing their off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 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 competitors offered more cargo space. The Ascent came standard with a power liftgate but lacked a hands-free option. It could seat up to eight passengers in its base configuration, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was better suited for children on longer trips. The Ascent also featured 19 cupholders and numerous storage compartments.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof that provided good headroom and visibility. However, legroom in both rows was slightly less than some competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. The RAV4 had a 60/40 split-folding rear seat but lacked the sliding feature found in some rivals. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, which was above average but still behind the Honda CR-V. The RAV4's interior featured oversized knobs and easy-to-use controls, but storage space on the console was limited.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured the StarLink infotainment system with logical menus and large icons. Both available touchscreens were supported by hard buttons and dials, along with a home button for easy navigation. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two front and two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. Optional features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim had an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was optional. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with well-positioned graphics and shortcut buttons, but it lacked the flashiness of some competitors. The gasoline RAV4 did not offer a head-up display, which was available on the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its crash test results and Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. 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 adaptive headlights. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a Superior rating for front-crash prevention. However, it missed the Top Safety Pick+ rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, park assist, and an optional 360-degree camera system.