Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander: reliability compared
From 2019 to 2026, owners filed an average of 131 complaints per model year about the Subaru Ascent and 236 about the Toyota Highlander.
Side by side
| Subaru Ascent | Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2019-2026 | 2019-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 1,048 | 1,890 |
| Complaints per model year | 131 | 236 |
| Recalls | 13 | 17 |
| Years to avoid | 20192020 | 20192021 |
| Best years | None stand out | None stand out |
| Most common problem | Electrical | Transmission |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 21-22 mpg combined (2026) | 24-35 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Ascent | Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 293 | 145 |
| Visibility | 207 | 53 |
| Transmission | 191 | 656 |
| Engine | 107 | 185 |
| Brakes | 85 | 200 |
| Driver assistance | 73 | 102 |
| Fuel system | 38 | 196 |
| Body | 33 | 173 |
Questions about the Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander
Which is more reliable, the Subaru Ascent or the Toyota Highlander?
Between 2019 and 2026, the Subaru Ascent has 2 years to avoid and the Toyota Highlander 2. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Subaru Ascent drew fewer complaints per model year (131 vs 236), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Subaru Ascent or the Toyota Highlander?
From 2019 to 2026, the Subaru Ascent was covered by 13 recalls and the Toyota Highlander by 17.
What years of the Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander should you avoid?
Subaru Ascent: 2019 and 2020. Toyota Highlander: 2019 and 2021.
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