Every 2026 Subaru Ascent is powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT transmission. Symmetrical AWD is standard across all trims at no additional cost. The Ascent's towing capacity reaches 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it one of the most capable tow vehicles in its class. This rating is consistent across all AWD configurations.

The 2026 Toyota Highlander uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on non-hybrid trims. A Highlander Hybrid is available with 243 combined horsepower and up to 35 mpg combined, a significant fuel economy advantage over the Ascent's 22 mpg combined. The Highlander matches the Ascent at 5,000 pounds of towing capacity on properly equipped AWD models. For drivers who want hybrid fuel savings, the Highlander is the better pick. For drivers who want standard AWD on every trim without a price premium and prefer the Subaru BOXER engine's proven reliability, the Ascent is the stronger choice.

EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard on every 2026 Subaru Ascent trim, covering pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane departure warning, sway warning, and lead vehicle start alert. The Ascent has a 5-Star NHTSA overall safety rating and strong IIHS scores. One standout feature exclusive to the Ascent is the available Cabin Connect PA system, which lets the driver speak to rear passengers through the vehicle's speakers — a practical feature for families with kids in the third row. The Ascent also features standard wider rear door openings than the Highlander, making it meaningfully easier to load children into car seats.

A standard 11.6-inch touchscreen is included on every Ascent trim, compared to an 8-inch standard display on the base Highlander. Both vehicles offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on upper trims. The Highlander's Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is a capable safety suite, and the Highlander's interior materials on upper trims are refined. Subaru's EyeSight system earned top marks from IIHS for front crash prevention, and the Ascent's standard AWD adds an additional layer of confidence in Florida's rainy season driving conditions.

The 2026 Subaru Ascent most decisive advantage is third-row usability. With 31.7 inches of third-row legroom, the Ascent can comfortably seat teenagers and most adults on road trips. The Toyota Highlander provides only 28.0 inches in the third row, which most adults find uncomfortable for anything beyond a short drive. That 3.7-inch difference is the single most important reason many families choose the Ascent over the Highlander.

Total passenger volume in the Ascent is 153.2 cubic feet, compared to 139.5 cubic feet in the Highlander — more than 13 cubic feet of additional usable space spread throughout the cabin. Cargo space behind the third row also favors the Ascent at 17.8 cubic feet versus 16.0 cubic feet in the Highlander. Maximum cargo volume with all seats folded is 75.6 cubic feet in the Ascent. Both SUVs seat up to 8 passengers, though the Ascent offers available second-row captain's chairs on upper trims for a 7-passenger layout that adds easier third-row access.