2026 Subaru Ascent vs 2026 Toyota Highlander: Three-Row Space, Towing, and Safety Tech
You have kids, gear, maybe a dog, maybe a small boat. You need three rows but you do not want a minivan. Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander sit right in that sweet spot. Here is how they split when you ask real world questions like: Can my teenager actually sit in the third row without folding like a lawn chair, and can we tow the jet ski.
Seating space and comfort
Subaru Ascent: Seats up to 8. Subaru quotes up to 153.2 cubic feet of passenger volume, which it says is more than Toyota Highlander. Wide rear door openings and an option for second row captain chairs make loading kids way easier. Cargo space can reach about 75.6 cubic feet with rear rows folded.
Toyota Highlander: Seats 7 or 8 depending on trim. Toyota has refined the interior with better tech screens and nicer materials, and the Grand Highlander variant stretches room in the third row even more. Toyota Safety Sense driver assist is standard.
If you have tall teens or regular adult passengers in row three, Ascent's wide doors and big cabin volume are not hype, they help every single time you do school carpool. Highlander is fine for younger kids, and Grand Highlander helps taller riders with more leg room in the way back.
Towing and weekend toys
Ascent posts up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity and runs a 260 horsepower turbocharged Boxer engine with standard all wheel drive. We have seen long term tests pull campers and sleds with it.
Highlander with its 2.4 liter turbo four is rated up to 5,000 pounds of towing in gas form. Highlander Hybrid trims drop that number to roughly 3,500 pounds but trade back better mpg.
So if you are towing a pair of jet skis or a light camper a few weekends each summer, both can do it when properly equipped. If you plan to tow often, confirm hitch class, transmission cooling, and trailer brake wiring at the dealership before you sign. Do not assume it is baked in from the factory, because sometimes it is not.
Driver assist and sanity on long trips
Ascent includes EyeSight driver assist on every trim. That means adaptive cruise, lane centering, and forward collision mitigation are all standard, not luxury upcharge.
Highlander brings Toyota Safety Sense, which bundles lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise, and pre collision systems on every trim as well.
Translation: both try to keep you in lane and off the brakes during those brutal overnight highway slogs to visit relatives.
Key questions to ask yourself
- Do we tow more than twice a year If yes, confirm tow package and cooling on the exact trim, not just the brochure.
- Will adults sit in row three often If yes, sit them in both Ascent and Highlander back to back.
- Is snow a fact of life Ascent gives standard AWD. Highlander offers AWD, and hybrid versions also offer all wheel drive on many trims.
