Compare the2026 Subaru AscentVS 2026 Toyota Sequoia

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Ascent achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Toyota Sequoia has not been tested.

Full-time four-wheel drive is standard on the Ascent. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Sequoia. Four-wheel drive of any type costs extra on the Sequoia.

The Subaru Ascent’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Toyota Sequoia does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Ascent uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Sequoia uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Ascent and the Sequoia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Ascent has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Sequoia has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the Sequoia:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Ascent uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Sequoia requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sequoia doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Ascent stops much shorter than the Sequoia:

The Ascent Premium’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sequoia’s standard 70 series tires.

The Ascent has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Ascent flat and controlled during cornering. The Sequoia’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Ascent Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the Sequoia Capstone pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the Sequoia’s (38 feet vs. 40.2 feet). The Ascent’s turning circle is 6.5 feet tighter than the Sequoia TRD Pro’s (38 feet vs. 44.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sequoia SR5 (8.7 vs. 8.6 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Ascent may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1600 pounds less than the Toyota Sequoia.

The Ascent is 11.3 inches shorter than the Sequoia, making the Ascent easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the Ascent’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Sequoia doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The Ascent has 2 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 1.6 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more third row headroom than the Sequoia.

The Ascent’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sequoia.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s exterior PIN entry system. The Sequoia doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ascent has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Sequoia doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Ascent, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota Sequoia isn't recommended.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Toyota Sequoia by 70% during 2025.