burlapp car

2027 Subaru Ascent.

By  •  Published:  •  Last updated:

It seems every new Toyota EV is getting a Subaru clone these days. I guess that’s a cheap way for Subaru to build a whole lineup of new EVs without spending too much cash.

It has already been the case with the Toyota bZ4X / Subaru Solterra, the Toyota C-HR EV / Subaru Uncharted (still one of the weirdest car names ever…), and the Toyota bZ Woodland / Subaru Trailseeker. The partnership between the two brands is clearly not slowing down, and in fact it looks like it’s expanding into more profitable and higher-volume segments.

Subaru will logically soon get its own version of the new Toyota Highlander. The all-new three-row EV replaces the old Highlander, a model that had become less and less popular lately. The same thing has happened with the Subaru Ascent. Both models were once strong players in the family SUV space, but demand has cooled significantly as the market shifts toward electrification and fresher competitors.

The Highlander went from over 265,000 units sold in 2021 to just about 56,000 last year. The Ascent was about as unpopular last year, which is not exactly a great position to be in for a three-row family SUV. Toyota has already mentioned that they expect the new electric Highlander to sell in pretty high numbers. The specs are quite attractive on paper, and it really seems they could move at least 56,000 of these a year, if not considerably more, especially if supply constraints are handled better than with some earlier EV launches.

Of course, there is no pricing yet for the 2027 Highlander EV, but it is already expected to be quite competitive. So far, the 2026 Trailseeker starts at around $40,000 and comes, of course, with standard AWD. For some odd reason, the Toyota bZ Woodland costs about $5,000 more despite being so closely related. That means a new electric Ascent could be priced under the new Highlander as well, or maybe around $45,000 depending on trim levels and battery size.

For comparison, the Kia EV9 starts at around $55,000 with about 230 miles of range, while the Hyundai Ioniq 9 with similar specs starts closer to $59,000. Those are strong products, but they are not exactly affordable for many families shopping in the traditional Highlander or Ascent price bracket.

If Subaru can actually price a new electric version of the Ascent, based on the 2027 Highlander EV, well under $50,000, they could really have something interesting. And extremely competitive. Subaru buyers tend to value standard AWD, practicality, and safety over flashy features. A reasonably priced, spacious, all-electric three-row SUV with Subaru branding could resonate strongly, especially in markets where the brand already has loyal customers.

In a segment that is still relatively underserved below the $50,000 mark, that could make all the difference.

Conversation 6 comments

  1. my question is whether Subaru customers are really adopting the Toyotafied electrics. Or are these low perentage Toyota conquests simply because the Toyota version is usually so pathetically plain and scratchy-plastic fantastic inside.

  2. How do you think Toyota or Subaru is going to undercut the Koreans by $10k?! Japanese cars have historically been more expensive than the Koreans. Batteries are still very expensive which is going to mean this new Toyobaru is probably going to be at least $55k and more likely $60k+. A loaded one probably crosses $80k.

  4. The only thing that I didn’t like in the Ascent is that it’s a turbo flat-4, which I feel is insufficient for a vehicle of that girth. It should be at least a six (a flat-six in Subaru’s case). The MPG would only be marginally better, as the powerplant would have to work harder to maintain demands and loads, and there’s also the NVH issue, in comparison to an engine of a higher cylinder-count.

    I say the same thing about the Toyota Highlander, where is was a poor decision to drop the silky V6 for the turbo-4, in a vehicle that size, and the Grand Highlander, even larger, should have something more that a turbo-4, even in Hybrid guise. At least it’s Lexus TX cousin has a choice of a V6.

    Today, with the softening of emission-laws, both in the EU, and especially in the USA, where Trump (thankfully and wisely) dropped MPG and emission rulings, it would allow for the larger, smoother, and more effortless and durable larger powerplants with higher cylinder-counts now! I wasn’t a fan at all of the engine downsizing (i.e. turbo-4s replacing V6s). I feel that a 4-banger has no place in anything above a compact or sub-compact class, mainly a grocery-getter type for the masses. Personally, I would rather see electrification and EVs than the ICE engine downsizing.

  5. I’m a huge Subaru fan. There are two of them in our garage right now. But I have ZERO interest in these warmed over Toyota EVs. I really feel Subaru is losing their way these days…

    Also, anyone who thinks trump dropping emissions standards was a good thing is an idiot. Who needs clean air? Breathing is overrated anyway.

  6. The problem Toyota will face is much like the one Tesla is now facing – against the Chinese. Those Chinese companies not only have the power of the Chinese govt behind them and the low wages set by that government. But, they also have a vertical integration of all their supply chains – parts, raw materials (steel, lithium) and most importantly the batteries. I believe this is the reason Toyota claimed they wont go into EVs, but then rushed development of so many models…. they want to cash in while Tesla is down and before that issue catches them in a price war. Did you think Akio wasn’t a manipulator? He’s been doing it for YEARS: prices since COVID; clogging action from the Japanese Ministry METI and JAMA against Toyota-owned companies denying falsification of testing and safety data, until it was so large it swamped the entire country. He’s not a good person. He doesn’t believe in fair competition. Just like Musk.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *