Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2024 Subaru Ascent had a design that was not universally praised. Subaru's designers had a history of creating appealing vehicles, only to alter them unfavourably during refreshes. This was evident in the latest Ascent, which had acquired some visually unappealing features, such as tusks and a bold spear running across the grille into the headlights. Despite these design choices, the Ascent lineup in Canada remained unchanged, offering various trims from Convenience to Premier, with prices ranging from $44,674 to $57,674. The Premier trim, which was tested, included features like premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a surround-view camera. The interior materials were of good quality, but the design felt modular and lacked sophistication.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid pursued a conservative and familiar design path, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior of the Grand Highlander emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. However, the use of glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces explained the vehicle's value proposition. The controls were logically laid out, and the climate system was simple to use, although the infotainment interface had some drawbacks, such as a small volume knob and the absence of a tuning knob.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with active torque vectoring. The Ascent could tow up to 2,270 kilograms, making it versatile for various driving conditions. It performed well in urban and rural settings, handling speed humps and off-road terrain with ease. However, it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension tuning. Fuel economy was a concern, with official ratings of 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.4 on the highway, but real-world testing showed higher consumption.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, delivering 362 net horsepower. It featured a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning common in CVTs. While the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration and towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, it came with a fuel economy trade-off, rated at 8.8 L/100 km combined. During testing, it achieved 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route. The Hybrid Max provided a smooth ride, but handling was limited by early tire scrub and squeal. Visibility was excellent, aided by available camera systems, although the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Premier trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, heating, and ventilation. The rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy loading of children and cargo. The Ascent's cargo space was versatile, with up to 458 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,140 litres with seats folded. However, legroom in the second row felt snug compared to rivals.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows and ample storage, with a maximum cargo space of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery. The rear doors required ample space to open, posing challenges for loading children. The second-row captain's chairs allowed easy access to the third row, which offered reasonable comfort for adults. Cargo space behind the third row was 586 litres, expanding to 2,761 litres with seats folded, making it suitable for extended family trips.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent featured the Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included navigation and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. While the system worked well, the display washed out in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition system was subpar. Physical buttons and knobs controlled essential functions, and a surround-view camera was available on the Premier trim.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to music accounts. The system was user-friendly, though the font could be hard to read. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL premium audio system, delivering better sound quality than expected.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was synonymous with safety, featuring a high-strength steel platform and the EyeSight safety suite. It received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The EyeSight package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, the lane-centring assist technology was criticized for its unpredictability and resistance to driver inputs.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. While it provided a high level of automation, it lacked hands-free operation. The Proactive Driving Assist system was found to be irritating and was often turned off. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.