What is a Subaru Ascent comparable to?
Directly, the Subaru Ascent sits in the three-row midsize SUV class and is most often compared with the Honda Pilot and Toyota Grand Highlander.
As a family-oriented SUV, the Ascent offers seating for up to eight, standard all-wheel drive, and a practical interior. It faces competition from several well-known three-row models in terms of space, technology, and pricing. This article identifies the key rivals and what sets each apart, helping shoppers understand where the Ascent fits in the current market.
Closest rivals in size and capability
The following models are the closest rivals in size, seating, and overall capability for families seeking three-row space with similar tech and price bands.
- Honda Pilot — well-rounded family hauler with a spacious interior, solid reliability, and mature infotainment features.
- Toyota Grand Highlander — larger footprint with flexible seating and strong highway manners; multiple powertrain options.
- Kia Telluride — acclaimed for interior quality, generous space, and outstanding value.
- Hyundai Palisade — closely related to the Telluride, offering a premium interior feel and strong equipment lists.
- Mazda CX-90 — premium interior, engaging driving dynamics, and a choice of efficient turbo engines.
- Nissan Pathfinder — comfortable ride with modern tech and practical third row; straightforward packaging.
- Volkswagen Atlas — roomy cabin and cargo space, simple control layout, and accessible pricing.
- Chevrolet Traverse — strong V6 options and generous passenger/cargo space; family-friendly feature set.
- Ford Explorer — versatile with multiple powertrains and broad dealer network, strong highway manners.
These rivals collectively cover the space, seating, and power you expect in this segment, with each model bringing its own balance of space, refinement, and tech features to the table. The Ascent sits among strong, well-established contenders, and buyers will weigh interior quality, ride feel, and value differently depending on priorities.
Key differentiators to consider when comparing
Before this list, consider which factors matter most for your family: seating comfort on long trips, cargo flexibility, infotainment and safety tech, and total ownership costs. The following points help buyers contrast the Ascent with its main rivals.
- Powertrains and towing capability — the Ascent uses a turbocharged engine with standard all-wheel drive; rivals offer a mix of V6 and turbo options that affect acceleration and tow ratings.
- Interior quality and seat comfort — some rivals provide more upscale materials or more spacious third-row legroom and easier access.
- Infotainment and driver-assistance — availability and ease of use vary; check which systems come standard and what’s optional.
- All-wheel drive availability and capability — AWD is a strong selling point in this segment, but systems differ in capability and drive modes.
- Pricing, trims and value — price ladders and feature lists vary; some models offer more standard equipment in lower trims.
- Reliability and ownership costs — long-term maintenance, warranty terms, and reliability ratings influence total cost of ownership.
Understanding these factors will help determine which model best suits a family’s needs and budget.
Summary
The Subaru Ascent remains a practical, family-friendly three-row SUV that emphasizes all-wheel-drive capability, versatile interior space, and competitive pricing. It competes with well-regarded models such as the Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, VW Atlas, Chevrolet Traverse, and Ford Explorer. Prospective buyers should weigh seating comfort, cargo flexibility, available technology, and ownership costs to decide which model best aligns with their priorities.
