Compare the2026 Subaru AscentVS 2026 Chrysler Voyager

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Ascent have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chrysler Voyager doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Voyager doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard EyeSight, the Subaru Ascent is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chrysler Voyager, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Ascent	Voyager
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-6 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	3.3 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	No Slowing	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.6 sec	No Warning

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ascent. But it costs extra on the Voyager.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Ascent’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Voyager doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Ascent Limited/Touring has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Voyager only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Subaru Ascent’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Chrysler Voyager does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

The Ascent Limited/Touring’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Voyager doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Ascent has standard STARLINK Connected Services, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Voyager doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Ascent and the Voyager have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Chrysler Voyager:

	Ascent	Voyager
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	21%	29%
Neck Stress	229 lbs.	230 lbs.
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	56 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	35/30 lbs.	440/251 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Ascent is safer than the Voyager:

	Ascent	Voyager
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	427/517 pounds	472/742 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Chrysler Voyager:

	Ascent	Voyager
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	72
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	149 lbs.
Hip Force	274 lbs.	395 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	346 lbs.	764 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	149	293

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Voyager:

	Ascent	Voyager
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	82	167
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.26 in
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Force	357 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.18 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	201 lbs.	1450 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Subaru Ascent achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Voyager is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Ascent has a standard 190-amp alternator. The Voyager’s 180-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ascent second among upper midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Voyager isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler With 70 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Chrysler.

Engine

The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 262) than the Voyager’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Voyager doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Ascent has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Voyager. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Voyager doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Ascent’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Voyager are solid, not vented.

The Ascent stops shorter than the Voyager:

	Ascent	Voyager
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Ascent has larger tires than the Voyager (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17).

The Ascent Premium’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Voyager’s standard 65 series tires. The Ascent Limited/Touring’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Voyager’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ascent Premium has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Voyager. The Ascent Limited/Touring has standard 20-inch wheels.

The Ascent has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Voyager; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Ascent has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Ascent flat and controlled during cornering. The Voyager’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Voyager’s (38 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

Chassis

The Ascent is 7 inches shorter than the Voyager, making the Ascent easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Ascent has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the Voyager.

Towing

The Ascent’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Voyager’s (5000 vs. 3600 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Ascent uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Voyager doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Ascent is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Voyager. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Chrysler. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Chrysler is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Ascent Limited/Touring, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Voyager doesn’t offer a memory system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s exterior PIN entry system. The Voyager doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Ascent’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Voyager’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Ascent’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Voyager’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Ascent’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Voyager’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Ascent detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Voyager doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ascent has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Voyager doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Ascent Limited/Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Voyager’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Ascent’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Voyager doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

Both the Subaru Ascent and Chrysler Voyager offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Ascent offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Voyager’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the Ascent and the Voyager have standard heated front seats. The Ascent Limited/Touring also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Voyager.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Ascent Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Voyager doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Ascent has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Voyager doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is standard on the Ascent Limited/Touring. The Ascent’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Voyager doesn’t offer a navigation system.

With standard voice command, the Ascent offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Voyager doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Chrysler Voyager, the Subaru Ascent eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Ascent and the Chrysler Voyager, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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