Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander: Best 3-Row SUV for Long Island?

Three-row family SUVs cluster in the same showroom visit for most Nassau County buyers: the Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander all seat seven or eight, all offer AWD, and all land within a few thousand dollars of each other at base trim. The differences between them shape which one fits your specific combination of commuting, carpooling, and weekend driving.

Bottom Line: The Ascent wins on standard AWD and EyeSight safety technology availability. The Highlander wins on resale value and hybrid availability. The Pilot wins on interior configurability and towing capacity. For Hicksville and Bethpage families who want standard AWD as a given across all trims, the Ascent is the most straightforward choice.

• Only the Ascent includes full-time AWD as standard on all trims at no extra cost
• The Toyota Highlander Hybrid returns 36 mpg combined - 15 mpg better than the Ascent
• The Honda Pilot tows up to 5,000 pounds; the Ascent also tows up to 5,000 pounds

AWD Availability Across All Three Models

The most fundamental difference for Long Island buyers considering these three vehicles is how AWD is packaged. The Subaru Ascent includes Symmetrical Full-Time AWD on every trim at no additional cost.

Both the Highlander and Pilot charge extra for AWD at most trim levels. The Highlander adds approximately $1,400 for AWD over its base FWD price. The Pilot also prices AWD as an upgrade at lower trims. By the time you add AWD to a Highlander or Pilot to match the Ascent’s standard equipment, the Ascent’s price advantage at comparable configurations often narrows significantly.

For Long Island drivers who want AWD as a given for winters on the Meadowbrook and Northern State Parkways, the Ascent removes the option decision entirely.

For a full overview of the Ascent as a vehicle, see our Subaru Ascent complete guide.

Fuel Economy

The Highlander Hybrid is the efficiency standout of this comparison at up to 36 mpg combined. The standard Highlander returns approximately 22 mpg combined on AWD trims. The Pilot returns approximately 22 mpg combined as well. The Ascent delivers 21 mpg city / 27 mpg highway on standard trims.

For high-mileage commuters in Nassau County, the Highlander Hybrid’s 36 mpg combined changes the ownership math substantially. At 15,000 annual miles, the Highlander Hybrid uses roughly 220 fewer gallons per year than the Ascent - approximately $770 annually at $3.50/gallon. Over five years, that’s nearly $3,850 in fuel savings, which partially offsets the Highlander Hybrid’s premium price.

The Ascent does not offer a hybrid variant. For buyers for whom fuel economy is the deciding factor, the Highlander Hybrid deserves serious consideration.

Seating and Passenger Configuration

All three offer seven or eight-passenger configurations. The Pilot offers strong 2nd-row configurability with available individual 2nd-row seats that slide and recline independently. The Highlander’s third row is tight for adults but adequate for children on shorter trips.

The Ascent’s third row is similarly sized to the Highlander’s - useful for children or shorter adults on routine trips, not ideal for adults on long-distance drives. The Pilot offers a slightly more usable third row for adult passengers.

Cargo behind the third row: Ascent offers 8.7 cubic feet; Pilot offers 9.0 cubic feet; Highlander offers 8.0 cubic feet. All three are in the same tier of usefulness - grocery-bag space, not gear-hauling space.

Safety Technology Comparison

Who Should Choose Which Model?

The Ascent is the right pick for families who want standard AWD on every trim, a competitive base price, and Subaru’s EyeSight safety technology. It delivers 5,000-pound towing capacity - matching the Pilot and Highlander - while maintaining the Subaru brand experience familiar to buyers who have owned a Forester or Outback.

The Highlander suits buyers who prioritize resale value or fuel economy. Toyota’s brand and the Highlander’s hybrid option make it the strongest long-term ownership proposition for high-mileage drivers who primarily care about cost per mile.

The Pilot fits buyers who need maximum interior configurability for adult third-row use on longer trips. Honda’s 2nd-row seat configuration options are among the best in the segment for managing passenger combinations.

Explore the 2026 Ascent at Grand Prix Subaru: browse current Ascent inventory in Hicksville, or view current lease and purchase specials.

3-Row SUV Comparison FAQ

Does the Subaru Ascent have standard AWD unlike the Pilot and Highlander? Yes. Every Ascent trim includes Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time AWD as standard equipment. Both the Pilot and Highlander require an AWD upgrade on lower trims.

Can the Subaru Ascent tow as much as the Honda Pilot? Yes. Both the Ascent and Pilot are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Toyota Highlander also tows 5,000 pounds on selected trims.

Is there a hybrid Subaru Ascent? No. The 2026 Ascent uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine only. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the primary hybrid option in this three-row segment, returning up to 36 mpg combined.

How does the Ascent’s third row compare to competitors? The Ascent’s third row is best suited for children or shorter adults on routine trips. The Honda Pilot has a slightly more accommodating third row for adult passengers. All three models are similar in practical third-row usability.

Which 3-row SUV holds its value best on Long Island? The Toyota Highlander historically leads the segment in resale value retention, driven by Toyota’s brand strength and the Highlander’s popularity. The Ascent and Pilot are in a similar tier below the Highlander.

Visit Grand Prix Subaru in Hicksville

Grand Prix Subaru serves Nassau County from its Hicksville location with easy access from Bethpage, Plainview, and Westbury. The team can walk you through the Ascent alongside competing models and help evaluate which three-row SUV fits your family’s specific needs.

Schedule an Ascent test drive or contact us with questions before your visit.

Fuel economy figures from EPA fuel economy estimates. Actual mileage varies with driving conditions.