Compare Subaru Ascent to Similar Models in Brewster

Subaru Ascent vs. Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Volkswagen Atlas: Compare 3-Row SUVs for sale near Westchester, NY

With the Subaru Ascent's debut, the automaker finally had the puzzle piece that was missing from its lineup. As a three-row midsize SUV, the Ascent allows larger Brewster families to enjoy the benefits of Subaru ownership, including excellent space and versatility, advanced tech and safety features, and real all-weather and off-road capabilities. While there's no shortage of class competitors, the Subaru Ascent delivers a well-rounded package that few can match. Below is a brief overview of some of the ways Subaru's largest vehicle surpasses the offerings of three of the most prominent segment nameplates.

Subaru Ascent vs. Toyota Highlander

Accommodations: Both the Ascent and Highlander provide attractive, comfortable cabins with quality materials and comfort amenities like standard tri-zone automatic climate control and heated and cooled front seats. However, Ascent passengers will enjoy a more spacious experience, especially in the third row, where passengers will have an extra four inches of legroom and two inches of shoulder room.

Capability: On the road, both models are quick off the line, especially for their size. However, the Ascent provides a smoother ride and more composed, care-like handling. And when it comes to leaving the asphalt, Subaru pulls ahead once more, delivering genuine four-season/all-road capability on every trim. The Ascent provides 8.7 inches of ground clearance and comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive, hill-descent control, and X-MODE traction control. The Highlander has less ground clearance, and AWD isn't standard on any model.

Versatility: Besides superior off-road capability, Ascent also offers better cargo and passenger flexibility, with more cargo space, standard raised roof rails, and a standard power liftgate.

Features: Each model offers abundant amenities across its lineup, including a suite of advanced driver aids as standard equipment. But Ascent provides numerous enticing features on lower trims and for thousands less than the Toyota Highlander, including premium leather, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot

Capability: The Subaru Ascent is slightly more efficient than the AWD-equipped Honda Pilot, but both provide plenty of power for confident merging and passing. They also offer admirable driving dynamics for their size and smooth-out road imperfections with ease. But while Pilot focuses singularly on road-going travels, Ascent is well-equipped for both, out-of-the-box, delivering proficient handling for snowy Cortlandt Manor streets and roads less-traveled.

Driving Aids: Both models come standard with advanced driver-assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation. However, Subaru's Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering adds the convenience of steering assistance. The Ascent also comes standard with steering-adaptive LED headlights, which aren't available on any Pilot trim.

Infotainment: Like most models in the segment, the Subarus come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Hondas still don't.

Subaru Ascent vs. Volkswagen Atlas

Interior: The Subaru Ascent and VW Atlas deliver spacious and versatile accommodations with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. However, the Ascent offers seven and eight-person configurations while the Atlas tops out at seven. Ascent also exhibits less corner-cutting with wider use of higher-quality materials.

Ride Quality: Subaru's off-road dexterity translates well to the streets, where the Ascent dispatches cracks and bumps with ease. Contrarily, the VW's ride can feel a bit jittery on rough pavements and exhibit a bit of pitch and roll over larger bumps.

Performance and Efficiency: Ascent's turbocharged 2.4-liter powerplant (260 hp, 277 lb-ft of torque) outperforms the Atlas' 2.0-liter engine (235 hp, 258 lb-ft), delivering better acceleration and more towing capacity (5,000 vs. 2,000 lbs.), and is more efficient. Comparing the AWD-Subaru to the FWD-Volkswagen, Ascent achieves an EPA-estimated 27 mpg on the highway while the Atlas gets just 24 mpg.







* Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title or non-infringement. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license. Not responsible for typographical errors.

**The arrival timeline is an estimate. It may vary due to circumstances beyond Subaru’s or the retailer’s control.