I currently drive a 2018 Forester which is great but want something larger with the new safety rating. I'm torn between the Ascent and Highlander. Is the hybrid Highlander better in deep snow and ice than the gas model? I like driving the Ascent better but the reliability rating and MPG pushes me towards the Highlander.
Sloher
For reliability, the Highlander wins hands down. As for driving in the winter, it's all about having proper snow tires regardless of the powertrain. I'm from northeastern Ontario where snow, ice and extreme low temps are the norm. No need to overthink it.
The hybrid will not be as good in the snow. Subaru AWD system will be better than either Highlander, and the gas Highlander better than the hybrid. However, if you put good tires on the hybrid it will likely be good enough. I put Michelin CrossClimate2's on mine and it worked fine when we had a little snow in December.
When I was in the market 1.5 years ago, the HiHy and ascent were the two in my top three to evaluate. I drove both and did extensive reviews and numbers comparison. Reliability ratings, fit and finish, and material quality (too much plastic on the ascent) pushed me to the Highlander. A bit of extra room and the Hybrid drive train made the HiHy the winner. While it is not the same as the jeep or the 4-runner (that I gave up in the past) in the snow, the reliability and the fuel economy outweighed the few occasions I'd actually see/be driving in 2+ feet of snow. Put on a set of Blizzaks or Gislived tires and it will do fine in deep snows.
If you are looking for off-road capabilities Subaru is superior than the highlander. Now if you compare with a 4runner is another story.
I personally love the Subaru Outback Wilderness so much because the factory ground clearance is as high as a 4runner and the AWD symmetrical is amazing.
Now if you drive long distances frequently the MPG from the Subaru is really bad. This is why I purchased the Highlander Hybrid AWD but if your main focus is off-roading get a 4 runner or a Subaru.
I personally love the Subaru Outback Wilderness so much because the factory ground clearance is as high as a 4runner and the AWD symmetrical is amazing.
Now if you drive long distances frequently the MPG from the Subaru is really bad. This is why I purchased the Highlander Hybrid AWD but if your main focus is off-roading get a 4 runner or a Subaru.
Had an Ascent for two years before it got totaled by a PU that ran a stop sign. Got a V6 HL because the dealer had one on the lot. Much prefer the Ascent over my V6 HL. Much roomier, engine is peppier, especially in CO and the mountains, and is very smooth and quiet. The Ascent has more and better tech. Eyesight adaptive cruise control and lane centering work much better than the HL radar+camera system. HL backup camera is a joke by comparison. Looks like a CGA monitor from the '80s. Handling and ride are pretty similar. Ascent's hidden trailer hitch includes 4 and 7 pin harness which allows for electric brakes, required over 1000lb in the HL, but it has no provision for 7 pin wiring even though it costs 2x the Ascent's, so you need to find and install an aftermarket solution.
Earlier Ascents had two transmission issues, a few had improperly manufactured electrical harness which could cause transmission damage, and there was a firmware bug that could also damage the transmission. These were handled by recalls. There were a few other issues, but not dissimilar to the HL. I had zero issues with my Ascent.
I generally keep vehicles 8-10 years but I find the HL to be a dissapointment and might dump it much sooner that that.
Earlier Ascents had two transmission issues, a few had improperly manufactured electrical harness which could cause transmission damage, and there was a firmware bug that could also damage the transmission. These were handled by recalls. There were a few other issues, but not dissimilar to the HL. I had zero issues with my Ascent.
I generally keep vehicles 8-10 years but I find the HL to be a dissapointment and might dump it much sooner that that.
It's important to note that the Highlander actually offers three different AWD systems depending on trim level and engine.
The best is the torque vectoring AWD system that's available in the non-hybrid XSE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels. The AWD system in those models can not only redirect power between the front and rear wheels, but the system can also distribute power between the rear wheels depending on traction. So if only the passenger side rear tire has traction, the system will sense that and push the power to that wheel to get you moving. This is ideally the best system for snow traction.
Non-hybrid L, LE, and XLE models have "old school" AWD that's a lot more simplistic. The system can send power to the rear wheels when needed, but it can't differentiate power between the two rear wheels. This makes the system a bit (maybe a lot) less effective when trying to get moving from a stop in snowy conditions.
I'm not an expert on the hybrid AWD system. I know that it involves rear electric motors... but I'm not sure if the system can differentiate power to a specific rear wheel. Perhaps someone else can provide some details on that powertrain option. I've watched a few reviews regarding the AWD performance of the hybrid trim level that were less than effective, but again- someone else is probably better suited to provide feedback on the hybrid.
There is one thing that someone else mentioned that's really important: TIRES. While Toyota's torque vectoring AWD system is the best you can get in a Highlander, it only comes on the XSE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels... Those trim levels come with 20" wheels and (at least in the US) absolutely awful tires. They're awful in terms of life expectancy, and they are particularly awful in terms of snow performance. In the US, generally they are shipped with either Goodyear Eagle Tourings or Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S tires. If you are focused on winter traction, these are not the tires for you and you'll want to swap them out for all-seasons that are a bit more winter-friendly or a dedicated set of winter tires.
Toyota puts better tires on lower-trim Highlanders. Many of the L, LE, and XLE models come equipped with Michelin Premier LTX tires. (Toyota puts Toyo Open Country tires on some of them too, which seem okay... and also apparently ships some with the Bridgestone Alena Sport tires too- which again- should be avoided if possible). Most lower trim Highlanders that I've seen have the Michelins- which is what mine was shipped with. They are pretty good in terms of all-season tires... but are no substitute for dedicated winter tires.
The best is the torque vectoring AWD system that's available in the non-hybrid XSE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels. The AWD system in those models can not only redirect power between the front and rear wheels, but the system can also distribute power between the rear wheels depending on traction. So if only the passenger side rear tire has traction, the system will sense that and push the power to that wheel to get you moving. This is ideally the best system for snow traction.
Non-hybrid L, LE, and XLE models have "old school" AWD that's a lot more simplistic. The system can send power to the rear wheels when needed, but it can't differentiate power between the two rear wheels. This makes the system a bit (maybe a lot) less effective when trying to get moving from a stop in snowy conditions.
I'm not an expert on the hybrid AWD system. I know that it involves rear electric motors... but I'm not sure if the system can differentiate power to a specific rear wheel. Perhaps someone else can provide some details on that powertrain option. I've watched a few reviews regarding the AWD performance of the hybrid trim level that were less than effective, but again- someone else is probably better suited to provide feedback on the hybrid.
There is one thing that someone else mentioned that's really important: TIRES. While Toyota's torque vectoring AWD system is the best you can get in a Highlander, it only comes on the XSE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels... Those trim levels come with 20" wheels and (at least in the US) absolutely awful tires. They're awful in terms of life expectancy, and they are particularly awful in terms of snow performance. In the US, generally they are shipped with either Goodyear Eagle Tourings or Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S tires. If you are focused on winter traction, these are not the tires for you and you'll want to swap them out for all-seasons that are a bit more winter-friendly or a dedicated set of winter tires.
Toyota puts better tires on lower-trim Highlanders. Many of the L, LE, and XLE models come equipped with Michelin Premier LTX tires. (Toyota puts Toyo Open Country tires on some of them too, which seem okay... and also apparently ships some with the Bridgestone Alena Sport tires too- which again- should be avoided if possible). Most lower trim Highlanders that I've seen have the Michelins- which is what mine was shipped with. They are pretty good in terms of all-season tires... but are no substitute for dedicated winter tires.
Mileage with my Ascent was pretty similar, maybe a few mpg better than my HL V6. The new 2.4l turbo HL might be even closer to the Ascent in terms of performance and mileage.
Lots of reviews that differ on one over the other.
I own a 2017 Limited Outback and a 2021 Limited Highlander non-hybrid
Love both and each have pluses and minuses.
Don't love the Attention Awareness and lane departure system on the newer Subaru's but the system is probably going to follow Auto Stop/Start on all new cars in the future.
Acent vs Highlander
I own a 2017 Limited Outback and a 2021 Limited Highlander non-hybrid
Love both and each have pluses and minuses.
Don't love the Attention Awareness and lane departure system on the newer Subaru's but the system is probably going to follow Auto Stop/Start on all new cars in the future.
Acent vs Highlander
Both hybrid and non-hybrid AWD Highlander will do well in snow on paved roads. It's a pretty "intelligent" system and works well distributing torque in low traction conditions. It also does a good job improving handling in such conditions by sending the right amount of torque to the right axle, something a conventional part time 4WD can't do. For comparison, while a 4Runner or Wrangler with conventional 4WD will easily beat a Highlander in 12" of snow or off-road, the Highlander will run circles around any of these vehicles on a snowed or icy winding mountain road. Conventional 4WD simply can't compare with a modern automatic AWD in terms of improving handling in difficult conditions.
Ascent will perform very similarly to the Highlander on snowy / iced roads. It may have some edge over Toyota off-road, but if you drive mostly on paved roads, both vehicles will do well.
In any case, good tires will make the most difference. A FWD vehicles with good winter tires will beat an AWD car with average all-season tires. When driving on snow or ice, it's not only important to be able to move forward. Being able to stop or not slide sideways on a curve is equally or more important.
The big advantage of a hybrid will be gas mileage. 30+ mpg vs low 20s. Unless you plan to do some hard core off-roading, hybrid would be my choice.
Ascent will perform very similarly to the Highlander on snowy / iced roads. It may have some edge over Toyota off-road, but if you drive mostly on paved roads, both vehicles will do well.
In any case, good tires will make the most difference. A FWD vehicles with good winter tires will beat an AWD car with average all-season tires. When driving on snow or ice, it's not only important to be able to move forward. Being able to stop or not slide sideways on a curve is equally or more important.
The big advantage of a hybrid will be gas mileage. 30+ mpg vs low 20s. Unless you plan to do some hard core off-roading, hybrid would be my choice.
Some additional thoughts. The AWD system on gas vehicles typically offer up to 50% power to rear wheels. The hybrid is more limited, as the only power to the rear wheels is that which the rear electric motor provides which is typically about 20 - 30% max of total power. Consider any Toyota hybrid AWD system to be an "assisted FWD" setup. Most of the drive comes from the front wheels with "some help" from the back. I have a Lexus RX450H AWD which shares Highlander Hybrid specs (earlier gen though, but systemically still similar) and its merely "ok" in snow (better than FWD). But I also have a Subaru and its AWD system is significantly better. It has a "real AWD". Someone mentioned Toyota's new torque vectoring AWD as an option on gas models. Unlike Subaru and Toyota's more conventional gas AWD systems that use the brakes to limit wheel spin on one side of the car to redistribute power when needed, indeed this new system uses electronic clutches to direct power away from slipping wheels without having to rely on the brakes. Sounds better in theory. It also uses "drive line disconnect" to completely remove the drive shaft and rear differential from spinning when just cruising for better fuel efficiency. Nice, but extra complexity. I think the Subaru will always have a hint of an advantage because the rear wheels are always prepared to be driven, whereas in all of Toyota's AWD systems, the rear wheels really need a moment to wake up when the front wheels start to slip (perhaps the different traction modes might help this, on my hybrid Lexus snow mode seems to put a pinch of extra power to the rear, while removing a pinch of power from the front). I think the difference in most instances for most people would be negligible, but if you are indeed wanting the best immediate response, Subaru. On mine, with good snows, I punch it on a green light in 3 inch of snow, it just goes. No "maybe"s, no "let's consider our options", it just goes. My Lexus hybrid AWD with good snows, I punch it under same conditions. It still goes, but with some thinking. Hmm, front wheels slipping, lets ease of the engine power, give a chance for the weaker rear motor to push a bit, oh, fronts have some additional traction, lets give some more power up there. It does fine, but its no Subaru. I have a RAV4 with torque vectoring on order, I'm really interested to see how it compares.
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