2023 Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander - Symmetrical AWD vs Torque Vectoring AWD Slip Test!

We compare the Toyota Highlander and Subaru Ascent, including a closer look at the all-wheel drive systems.

Let us know what you think of this Subaru and Toyota below.

We have a second channel! Find it here - @tkpowersports

#toyota #subaru #allwheeldrive

[LifeinThirdPlaces]

First-time Subaru owner - I bought an Ascent after being a huge fan of the Highlander for over a year. The value in this ridiculous market and ability to handle well in snow, along with knowing so many people who loved theirs made me decide to give them a try. So far, so good! This review gave me a bit more confidence that I made the right choice so thank you!

[kh]

Owning both a Subaru and Toyota, I’m much more comfortable in adverse weather conditions in the Subaru.

[arielspalter]

I haven’t driven the Toyota but I own a Subaru (2022 Outback, same AWD system), and with the nasty weather we had in Toronto throughout January and February, that thing ruled! It gives you so much confidence and control. You see other cars struggle to get through unplowed roads and for the Subaru it’s a cakewalk

[emw]

I own my third Subaru Forester, and truthfully wouldn't drive anything else in harsh winter conditions. The confidence it provides is unbeatable.

[DarianDT]

Once a Subaru owner always will be buying Subaru. I'm currently rocking in my Ascent and it's a little beast. I use adaptive cruise control 90% of the time, it's great for long road trip and superb in rush hours traffic. If Subaru ever make a minivan I will be the first to preorder it.

[SB-czku]

Thank you again for showing the child car seat. To a lot of parents with young children still in child seats it's something we always think of but no one shows or talks about.

[m-cwer]

I will take Subaru. My Outback handles bad weather like nothing else I owned. I feel so safe and comfortable in bad weather conditions.

[haldent]

All though the Subaru doesn’t come with a wireless charger as a standard, mine did come with one as a dealer installed option and they can be added after the sale as well. We love our 2023 Ascent Touring!

[haldent]

I have a 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring with the optional wireless charger. We test drove several SUVs including the Toyota and opted for the Ascent hands down.

[robqwertyuipp]

Just bought a 2023 highlander, it's great in the snow .
What I don't like is under hard accelerating, it's got torque steer because it is heavily weighted front drive .

[aureissimus]

A friend of mine from Houston moved up north. He always remarked on how the Subarus were always zooming around on snow-covered roads when everyone else was slipping and sliding.

[CallMeChato]

Have owned both brands, not the Ascent but an Outback and Forester and you really notice the lower centre of gravity of the boxer engine. No one is going to track these cars but the Highlander has a horrible turning radius and the Subs generally are way better in this regard. I think the AWD on the Subs really help with all driving experiences. My Toyota always dives into corners. Thanks for the vid.

[ljastrong]

Great review! Thanks for showing and talking about how car seats would fit. I'm leaning toward the Subaru.

[bobbylindauer]

Family of long-time Toyota owners - Camry in the 90s (over 200K miles), Sequoia in the 00s (over 150K miles), and Sienna in the 10s (currently over 225K miles). After buying a Crosstrek in '22 for our oldest (18), we tried the Ascent (Touring) to replace the Sienna, and compared it to G. Highlander and Mazda CX90. Ended up an easy decision. Ascent checks the boxes - price, safety, ease of driving, and performance in poor road conditions. Plus the first two rows are downright cavernous (I'm 6'8" and fit easily everywhere except the 3rd row - which is only for kids and carpool).

[patricklundquist]

I test drove the Toyota Highlander a half hour before trying the Subaru Ascent, which I bought, so you know I agree with your assessment. My wife had so much trouble climbing up into my 2005 F150 for the past 17 years that I finally took pity and decided to downsize. I'd tried an Explorer a week prior. I'm 6'3" and 245 lbs. The Explorer center console hit a pressure point on the outside of my right knee. So not good for long drives. The Highlander had an even tighter cockpit plus hit pressure points on both knees. After that, instead of looking at features I found myself trying on cars like shoes. The Subaru was much roomier and the shape of the console creates no problems with pressure points. That, plus Subaru's reputation was good enough for me. I had no clue how many features this car had until I got home and started going through the Quick-Start guide. I didn't even know it had paddle shifters until I was driving home. I like the way the thigh bolster not only supports thighs but also captures and contains crumbs while snacking on long drives for easier cleanup later (that's not in the Quick-Start guide). The rear seat is designed to convince kids to grow up and move out sooner. (Also not in the Quick-Start guide). I did not use the CD player much in my truck but one thing, unlike satellite radio, it never stopped playing when I stopped under an overpass. I've had the car for six days now, maybe I should go pop the hood (bonnet) and see what the engine looks like... I know what you are wondering, so why did I buy this car if I knew nothing about it? Because my wife liked the color.

[anjcoco]

Great comparison and commentary. I am a Subaru owner but both of these are on our list. This was a helpful side by side.

[brucebabin]

Absolutely sold on the Highlander. It's an SUV, not made for speed but made for a great ride. That being said, a fast engine will give you the speed but not the fuel mileage. You choose. Love the rear brake rotors which are just like the front as opposed to the single fanless disk. Wish they mentioned that. 😊

[mkleiman]

Great comparison, we have the Ascent Touring model 2023. The choices for us came down to the Toyota and Ascent. Ascent won out. My wife is the main driver and the sightlines for the Subaru are just way better. Other interesting tidbits were the factory installed hitch as we need to tow with the vehicle. The Toyota hitch was expensive and does not come with a 7 pin connector. The Subaru has both. Kind of nuts that the factory OEM Toyota hitch does not have it. It was suggested to get it installed after way in hell I would buy a $50K + vehicle and put on a 7 pin after market towing electrical pin. One thing I hate about our Subaru is the side bolsters, they are to small (or I have a big ass). Really hate that. Fixed by getting a small seat cushion. Overall in a Manitoba winter it will perform better than the Toyota. Gas mileage is ok as per the video. Either one would be a good choice, but for smaller women the sight lines in the Subaru might be the biggest deciding factor. It was for us

[Natedoc]

I’ve seen this in action on snow and ice on a modest incline driving home from boarding. we had to start up the hill which was also slightly sloped right to left: our outback was started moving immediately without a tire breaking traction and the Toyota Highlander in front of us (driven by my friend)broke the front tires free causing his front end to slide left/downhill and then the back tires kicked in and also broke free causing him to slide slowly sideways and backwards down the hill until he ended up against the plowed snowbank at the shoulder. He ended up needing to back down the hill until it flattened out and make one entire run because if he stopped on any incline, he couldn’t start again. He bought an Ascent over summer 😂 Best part was there were early 90s Subarus cruising around no problem that same day while all the other makes and models, other than some earlier 2000s Volvos, we’re struggling in the conditions and sliding everywhere

[Theginamclaughlin]

Thank you so much guys!! Super helpful!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻