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Subaru Ascent vs Toyota 4Runner

2026 Subaru Ascent vs 2026 Toyota 4Runner — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Subaru Ascent

2026 Subaru Ascent

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS4 – 3Subaru Ascent wins 4 of 7 categories
Toyota 4Runner

2026 Toyota 4Runner

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota 4Runner is more fuel-efficient: 23 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $150 a year less in fuel for the Toyota 4Runner (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Subaru Ascent is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Subaru Ascent has had fewer recall campaigns (13 vs 38).

The two cars

The 2026 Subaru Ascent is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 197 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,420 lb (Convenience 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and part-time 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,870 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Ascent and the 2024 4Runner have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 Ascent and the 2015 4Runner.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$3,050
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,900

Performance & space

260 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
278 hp
8
Seats (most)
5
196.9 in
Length
194.9 in
71.7 in
Width
78 in
76 in
Height
73.2 in
4,420 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,870 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
11
1
Recalls (2026)
2
13
Recalls, all years since 2005
38
3
Owner complaints (latest year)
7

Interest

4,331
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,095

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Subaru Ascent if…

  • You need more seats (8 vs 5)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (13 vs 38 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota 4Runner if…

  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Subaru Ascent

  • Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota 4Runner

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Subaru Ascent specs →Full 2026 Toyota 4Runner specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →