Subaru Ascent vs Toyota 4Runner: Specs Compared
Also searched as Toyota 4Runner vs Subaru Ascent specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Subaru Ascent and Toyota 4Runner are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 23 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 3 measured categories, the Toyota 4Runner leads in 2. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2019–2027
Subaru Ascent
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 18 configurations
2015–2026
Toyota 4Runner
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 42 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Subaru Ascent | Toyota 4Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 21 mpg | 23 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 26 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,650 | $2,650 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 384 g/mi | 380 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, 4.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AV-S8) | Automatic (S8), Automatic (S5) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular | Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2019–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 18 | 42 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Subaru Ascent vs Toyota 4Runner dimensions and size
The Subaru Ascent is 2 inches longer than the Toyota 4Runner on a wheelbase 1.6 inches longer, and 449.7 lbs lighter. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Subaru Ascent (2026) | Toyota 4Runner (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.9 in | 194.9 in | 2 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 71.7 in | 78 in | 6.3 in |
| Height | 76 in | 73.6 in | 2.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in | 112.2 in | 1.6 in |
| Curb weight | 4,420 lbs | 4,870 lbs | 450 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Subaru Ascent vs Toyota 4Runner: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Subaru Ascent burns about $2,650 of fuel annually against $2,650 for the Toyota 4Runner. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Toyota 4Runner is the stronger commuter at 23 mpg city, while the Subaru Ascent pulls ahead on the interstate at 27 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Subaru Ascent is recorded with 1 distinct engine configuration (SIDI), the Toyota 4Runner with 4 (SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start). Across 18 recorded Subaru Ascent configurations and 42 for the Toyota 4Runner, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Subaru Ascent is offered with All-Wheel Drive, the Toyota 4Runner with 4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Toyota 4Runner emits 380 g/mile of CO2 versus 384 g/mile for the Subaru Ascent. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Ascent vs 4Runner: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Subaru Ascent or the Toyota 4Runner?
The Subaru Ascent and Toyota 4Runner are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 23 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota 4Runner runs about $2,650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,650 for the Subaru Ascent — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the Ascent and 4Runner offer?
Subaru Ascent: SIDI. Toyota 4Runner: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, 4.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Subaru Ascent and the Toyota 4Runner as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: subaru-ascent-vs-toyota-4runner