2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim that gave the SUV a sporty appearance. This trim level was positioned in the middle of the Ascent lineup, offering a unique grille design, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, and special interior trim. The Onyx Edition's interior was wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, available in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. While the blacked-out treatment added a sporty flair, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable feature, though they were only available on the Premier trim.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, navy blue exterior, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander offered a spacious cabin with clever storage solutions, making it practical for families. The XSE trim featured unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and dual exhaust tips, adding to its sporty appeal. The Highlander lineup included various trims, each offering a range of features to suit different preferences and needs.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent's fuel consumption was rated at 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined, with city and highway ratings of 11.7 and 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres, respectively. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, providing brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent's towing capacity was up to 2,270 kilograms (5,000 pounds), and it offered off-road capabilities with its X-Mode traction control system and 22 centimetres of ground clearance. However, the lane-keeping and lane-centring assistance technologies could feel uncertain and unstable at times.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with a tap-shift function and standard AWD. The Highlander offered drive modes, including Sport, Normal, and Eco, as well as AWD modes for different terrains. The V6 engine provided better pickup at cruising speeds, with a throaty exhaust note during overtakes. The Highlander's handling was commendable, with a sport-tuned suspension in the XSE trim that reduced body roll while maintaining comfort. It had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) and a max payload of 775 kilograms (1,709 pounds).

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could accommodate up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent offered a comfortable driving position and was equipped for winter weather with features like heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. The second-row seats were easy to access, and captain's chairs were available on most trims. The Ascent provided ample storage, including a dashboard shelf and large cupholders. Cargo space was generous, with 458 litres behind the third row, 1,193 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,061 litres with both rows folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, it provided 1,370 litres of cargo space, and 453 litres with all seats deployed. The Highlander featured quick-release latches for easy seat folding and a power liftgate on trims above the base LE. The cabin was designed with practicality in mind, offering deep cargo pockets, extra ledges, and a spacious centre console. The XSE trim included second-row captain's chairs, providing a centre aisle to the rear seats and additional space for passengers.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. The Touring trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the voice recognition technology needed improvement. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, but the Harman Kardon premium sound system was not available for this trim. Additional technology features, such as a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera, were reserved for the Premier trim.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was straightforward, with hard buttons for easy navigation. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and multiple USB ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, along with a digital instrument panel screen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology. However, the system's performance could be affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, which included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. Optional safety features included parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a surround-view parking monitor, and a digital rearview mirror. The Highlander was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.