Overview
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Base MSRP
$39,520
$38,910
Engine
2.4L inline 4-cylinder
2.4L SUBARU BOXER Horizontal4
Horsepower
265
260
Seats
8
8
Cargo Space
16.0
17.8
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 split
60/40 split
Headroom (front/rear)
41.2 / 39.4
41.2 / 40.0
Leg Room (front/rear)
42.0 / 38.7
42.2 / 38.6
In our Highlander vs. Ascent comparison, we examine how these mid-size SUVs measure up.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE FWD has a starting MSRP of $39,520. The 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger AWD has a starting MSRP of $38,910.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE FWD has an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined fuel economy rating, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger AWD has an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined fuel economy rating. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium both have a seating capacity of eight.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 84.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seat folded down, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium has 75.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seat folded down. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 1,715 lbs payload, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium has 1,551 lbs payload. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 16.0 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium has 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Pricing
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Base MSRP
$39,520
$38,910
Delivery
$1,450
$1,420
Engine
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Compressor
Turbo, Standard
Turbo, Standard
Engine
2.4L inline 4-cylinder
2.4L SUBARU BOXER Horizontal4
Horsepower
265
260
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 265 horsepower, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has 260 horsepower. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 310 lb.-ft. of torque, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has 277 lb.-ft. of torque. Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have four valves per cylinder.
Fuel Economy
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Tank capacity (gal)
17.9
19.3
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE FWD has EPA-estimated mpg ratings of 22/29/25 (city/hwy/comb), while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger AWD has EPA-estimated mpg ratings of 20/26/22 (city/hwy/comb).
Transmission
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Drive
FWD
AWD
Transmission Speeds
8
Variable
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has standard FWD. The 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has standard AWD. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 8 transmission speeds. The 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has Variable transmission speeds.
Safety and Driver Assist
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Blind spot warning sensor
Standard
Standard
Collision warning system activates at low speed
Front
Front And Rear
Collision warning system includes automatic braking
Yes
Yes
Corner view camera
Not Available
Not Available
Cornering brake control
Not Available
Standard
Cross-traffic alert (front / rear)
Not Available / Standard
Not Available / Standard
Day Time Running Lights
Standard
Standard
Electronic traction control
Standard
Standard
Front airbags (driver / passenger)
Standard / Standard
Standard / Standard
Hill holder
Standard
Standard
Knee airbags (driver / passenger)
Standard / Not Available
Standard / Not Available
LATCH system
Standard
Standard
Lane departure warning
Standard
Standard
Lane departure warning activates steering
Yes
Yes
Low tire pressure warning
Standard
Standard
Power steering
Standard
Standard
Rear parking distance sensors
Standard Camera
Standard Camera
Side airbags (front / rear / third row)
Standard / Not Available / Not Available
Standard / Not Available / Not Available
Side curtain airbags (front only / front and rear / all three rows)
Not Available / Not Available / Standard
Not Available / Not Available / Not Available
Side parking distance sensors
Not Available
Not Available
Stability control
Standard
Standard
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has standard side curtain airbags for all three rows, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger does not have side curtain airbags for all three rows. Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have standard driver front airbags and standard passenger front airbags. Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have standard driver knee airbags.
Comfort and Convenience
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Adaptive cruise control
Yes
Yes
Automatic high beams
Standard
Standard
Automatic trunk/hatch closing
Standard
Standard
Climate control type
Auto
Auto
Climate control zones
3
3
Coming home device
Optional
Not Available
Electronic parking brake
Standard
Standard
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 split
60/40 split
Front seat height adjustment (driver / passenger)
Electric / -
Electric / -
Heated door mirrors (driver / passenger)
Standard / Standard
Standard / Standard
Heated front seats (driver / passenger)
Not Available / Not Available
Standard / Standard
Heated steering wheel
Not Available
Not Available
Intermittent windshield wiper type
Variable
Variable
Multi-function steering wheel
Standard
Standard
Smart key
Standard, Smart Key System
Not Available
Steering wheel adjustment (height / telescopic / easy entry)
Standard / Standard / Not Available
Standard / Standard / Not Available
Ventilated front seats (driver / passenger)
Not Available / Not Available
Not Available / Not Available
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has a standard Smart Key System, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has no smart key. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has an optional coming home device, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has no coming home device available. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has an optional garage door opener, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has no garage door opener available.
Infotainment
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Android Auto compatible
Standard
Standard
Apple CarPlay compatible
Standard
Standard
Navigation display
8.00 in. 3D and voice
-
Navigation system
Standard
Not Available
Rear entertainment display (middle / back of front seats)
Not Available / Not Available
Not Available / Not Available
Satellite radio
Standard
Standard
Speakers
6
6
Telematics system
Safety Connect
STARLINK™
Voice activation
Standard
Standard
Wireless charging pad
Not Available
Optional
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 8.0-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has SUBARU STARLINK® 11.6-in. Multimedia Plus system with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has a standard navigation system, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has no navigation system. Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have six speakers.
Interior
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
12V power outlet (front / rear / cargo)
Standard / Not Available / Not Available
Standard / Not Available / Standard
Armrest (front / rear)
Standard / Standard
Standard / Standard
Cupholders (front / rear)
Standard / Standard
Standard / Standard
Front sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Overhead console storage
Standard
Standard
Reading lights (front / rear)
Standard / Standard
Standard / Standard
Seats
8
8
Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium have a seating capacity of eight. Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have standard front and rear armrests. Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have standard front and rear cupholders.
Warranty
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE comes with ToyotaCare, a plan that covers normal factory scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 24/7 Roadside Assistance for 2 years/unlimited mileage, while this coverage is not available for the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger both have a 36-month/36,000-mile whole vehicle warranty.
Exterior
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Disc brakes
4
4
Front fog lights
Standard
Optional
Front wheels
18x7.5" Alloy
18x7.5" Alloy
Headlights
LED
LED
Rear spoiler
Not Available
Not Available
Rear tires (standard)
235/65/SR18 All Seasons
245/60/HR18 All Seasons
Rear wheels
18x7.5" Alloy
18x7.5" Alloy
Side mirror indicator lights (driver / passenger)
Standard / Standard
Standard / Standard
Spare/Temporary Tire
Standard
Standard
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has standard front fog lights, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has optional front fog lights. Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium have an optional trailer hitch. Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have standard spare/temporary tires.
Suspension
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Stabilizer bar (front / rear)
Standard / Standard
Standard / Standard
Both the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE and the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have standard front and rear stabilizer bars. Neither the 2025 Toyota Highlander LE nor the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger have a terrain type selection available.
Dimensions
2025 Highlander
2025Ascent
Cargo Space
16.0
17.8
Curb weight (lbs)
4155
4449
Headroom (front/rear)
41.2 / 39.4
41.2 / 40.0
Leg Room (front/rear)
42.0 / 38.7
42.2 / 38.6
Overall height (in)
68.1
71.6
Overall length (in)
194.9
196.8
Overall width (in)
76.0
76.0
Shoulder Room (front/rear)
59.0 / 58.7
61.1 / 60.3
Wheelbase (in)
112.2
113.8
The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 84.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has 75.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has a payload capacity of 1,715 lbs, while the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has a payload capacity of 1,551 lbs. The 2025 Toyota Highlander LE has 16.0 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger has 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Copyright © JATO Dynamics Limited, 1990-2025. All Rights Reserved. For comparison purposes only. However, JATO and Toyota do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the data, and the information may not be comprehensive or use the same terminology as used elsewhere on this site. For additional details on Toyota vehicles, see the "Full Specs" for the vehicles on this site or contact your Toyota dealer.
