The Better SUV for the Needs of the Texas Family: the Subaru Ascent vs the Toyota Highlander

The 2019 Subaru Ascent made its debut this summer and it is already making a big impact around the country thanks to its spacious interior, high-tech safety features, its overall versatility, and interior space. Here at Superior Subaru of Houston, we are excited to show you all of the best features that this impressive new mid-sized SUV has to offer, but we know that you might not be as convinced by simple television or radio advertisements. Smart shoppers like you deserve had, concrete facts, which is why we here at our Subaru dealership in Jersey Village, TX compiled a list of advantages that the Subaru Ascent has over a well-known and worthy challenger in the SUV lineup: the Toyota Highlander.

What we found from this research is that the Subaru Ascent comes out strong ahead of the Highlander in a variety of important ways. Despite these differences, however, both SUVs serve similar purposes, and both have a lot to offer where safety and performance are concerned. With that in mind, let us see where the new Subaru Ascent comes out ahead. When you are convinced, check out our new Subaru Ascent inventory and test drive one here at Superior Subaru of Houston! We are just a short drive outside of Houston, TX at 17100 Northwest Freeway in Jersey Village!

  
 
  • In addition to its efficiency, the Subaru Ascent contributes a great deal of powertrain underneath the hood. Its four-cylinder engine generates 260 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 277 pound-feet of engine torque at 2,000 revolutions per minute. Whereas, the base four-cylinder engine of the Highlander generates 185 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and about 184 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. Higher powertrain and torque can lead to increased traction and turning efficiency through the all-wheel drive system.

  • While both of these mid-sized SUVs feature space for eight passengers total, in their base trim levels, the Subaru Ascent gives you and your passengers considerably more room to move around in with 153.5 cubic feet of passenger volume and almost 18 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third row. Meanwhile, the Highlander has about 145 cubic feet of passenger volume to offer, with less head and leg room in between the three rows, and a cargo capacity of about 14 cubic feet.

  • The four-cylinder engine of the Subaru Ascent features a continuously variable automatic transmission, which provides a much smoother and more efficient acceleration over the six-speed automatic transmission of the Toyota Highlander.
    • All trim levels of the Subaru Ascent feature Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive which has consistently proven itself to be the better choice in AWD systems when it comes to traction and turning efficiency, over AWD systems of Honda, Toyota, and other brands. The Toyota Highlander does not feature all-wheel drive in its base trim levels, though it is available in some others.

    • While you might not expect a larger SUV to have a great deal of fuel efficiency to offer, the Subaru Ascent is unlike the typical SUV and can travel an EPA-estimated 21 miles to the gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway, with an available fuel tank capacity of 19.3 gallons. While the Toyota Highlander has about the same fuel capacity, it falls short in distance and can travel up to 20 miles to the gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

    • Finally, the Ascent gives you a few more options as to what you can bring with you through trailering and has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, whereas based trim levels of the Toyota Highlander allow you to tow up 1,500 pounds maximum. The available V6 engine of the Highlander increases the towing capacity, but this engine is only available for a higher price in a higher trim level.

    Find Yours Today!

    The Subaru Ascent has everything you need to take on the road ahead in comfort and convenience, so come on down to Superior Subaru of Houston and test drive one today while supplies last! If you have any questions, concerns, or comments along the way, do not hesitate to contact us here online and one of our knowledgeable sales professionals will answer your inquiry in a timely manner. Come see us today!

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