2026–27 Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–2.5 across 6 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (52.7% vs 41.1%) and better fuel economy (35 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Ascent if the lower sticker matters most ($40,795 vs $46,270 to start).
Scorecard: Ascent 2.5 pts · Highlander 3 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Ascent | 2026 Highlander | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $40,795 | $46,270 | Ascent |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 0.39 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 41.1% | 52.7% | Highlander |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 22 mpg | 35 mpg | Highlander |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 260 hp | 265 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 16 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | — | 7 | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 1% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 10 | Ascent |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 3 | Highlander |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Highlander — 35 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Ascent — $40,795 vs $46,270 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Highlander — 52.7% vs 41.1% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Ascent 5,000 lb vs Highlander 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Ascent starts at $40,795 and tops out at $51,995; the Highlander runs $46,270 to $55,675 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Highlander buyers paid a median 1% off MSRP across 19 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 3.5% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Ascent: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Highlander: 0.39 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 67th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Ascent 4, Highlander 10.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Highlander 2016 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Ascent | 2026 Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $40,795 | $46,270 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $51,995 | $55,675 |
| Horsepower | 260 hp | 243–265 hp |
| Max torque | 277 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–22 mpg | 24–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 8 | 7 / 8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 16 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Ascent lists for a median $21,663 — 41.1% of today's median new price of $52,667. A 5-year-old (2021) Highlander lists for a median $30,260 — 52.7% of today's median new price of $57,374.
Shop both
- See 6,055 new 2027 Subaru Ascents for sale →Median listed price $50,641 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Toyota Highlanders for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Subaru Ascent
More on the Toyota Highlander
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Ascent better than the Highlander?
On our data, no — the Highlander comes out ahead. Our pick: the Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–2.5 across 6 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (52.7% vs 41.1%) and better fuel economy (35 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Ascent if the lower sticker matters most ($40,795 vs $46,270 to start).
Which is more reliable, the Ascent or the Highlander?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Ascent and 10 for the Highlander.
Which holds its value better, the Ascent or the Highlander?
The Highlander: a 5-year-old example lists for 52.7% of the new price, versus 41.1% for the Ascent, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Ascent or the Highlander?
The Ascent starts lower: $40,795 vs $46,270 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Ascent or the Highlander?
The Highlander: up to 35 mpg combined vs 22 mpg for the Ascent (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/subaru-ascent-vs-toyota-highlander, updated November 8, 2026.