2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a major redesign in 12 years, making it a familiar sight on the road. While updates were made over the years, the core design remained largely unchanged, save for some modern infotainment and safety technologies. The 4Runner's design was not conventionally attractive, with most versions adopting a rugged, aggressive look. However, its two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches gave it a timeless, utilitarian appeal. The 4Runner was available in various trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition, which featured unique touches such as dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket.

Inside, the Trail Special Edition boasted black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, and a sliding rear cargo tray. The interior was dominated by hard plastic, which was easy to clean and suited the SUV's rugged nature. The dashboard featured large knobs and buttons, and the vehicle required a traditional key to start. These old-school qualities endeared the 4Runner to its owners, offering a simple, durable vehicle that could stand the test of time.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, and a unique grille design. The Onyx Edition also included water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats. The Ascent was available in Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with pricing starting at $32,295 and going up to $45,445. Our test vehicle, the Onyx Edition, was priced at $37,995, with an optional package adding a panoramic moonroof, navigation system, and cargo cover for an additional $2,000.

Inside, the Ascent Onyx Edition featured a gray two-tone interior with light gray stitching and metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels. While the StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, it tended to trap sweat, making it uncomfortable on hot days. The Ascent's interior was designed for practicality, with wide rear doors, captain's chairs, and plenty of storage options. The third-row seats were best suited for children, and the cargo capacity ranged from 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row to 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Trail Special Edition featured A-Trac, an off-road traction control system, which proved beneficial during off-road testing at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area. The 4Runner handled mud, hills, and ruts with ease, and higher trims offered additional off-road features like a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with poor fuel economy averaging 16.8 mpg.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The Ascent's CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, providing brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance made it capable off-road. In urban and suburban settings, the Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable, though the brakes could be overly responsive. On highways, the Ascent's lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could feel uncertain, but turning them off improved the driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's high ground clearance could be challenging for shorter passengers to climb aboard, but once inside, the seats were comfortable and supportive. The rear seats offered ample legroom, good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The 4Runner's cargo space ranged from 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and the sliding cargo deck could hold up to 440 pounds.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could seat up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The driver's seat offered a comfortable and commanding position, and the Onyx Edition included features like triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors. The Ascent's cargo capacity ranged from 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row to 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down, with additional storage options throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, and dynamic voice recognition, along with a one-year subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The system's physical buttons and knobs made it easy to use, even with gloves on.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while the Premium trim and above featured an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Higher trims offered additional features like a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for small overlap frontal-impact protection from the IIHS.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included advanced adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance could be affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, automatic high-beam assist, and available blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.