It’s hard to imagine that just a couple of decades ago, the dominant safety feature in a car was the seatbelt. Fast forward to today, and every new vehicle rolling off the line has a full suite of safety features and driver assistance aids. Two of the most impressive in today’s cars are the Toyota Safety Sense suite of aids and Subaru EyeSight. 

Both of these safety systems harness a host of different features intended to make drivers and occupants safer, reduce risks, and improve visibility from behind the wheel. But is one technically superior to the other? Check out this comparison of these two dominant advanced driver-assistance systems.

Understanding advanced driver-assistance systems

There are safety features, then there are advanced driver-assistance systems. Today’s automakers are equipping their vehicles with entire tech-based systems, using tiny cameras, radar, sensors, and LiDAR technology. And each manufacturer will brand its own version as something different. For you, as the average car-buying consumer, they all fall under the category of ADAS.

Not all ADAS are created equal. So, you’ll want to dive into the details about the available driver aids with each. Some use both camera and radar technology, like Toyota.

Others, like Honda, rely on sophisticated camera systems alone. But each feature within an ADAS is designed to make you a safer driver. From lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring to 360-degree view cameras and automatic parking, there are tons of great safety features out there.

So, which ADAS is better, Toyota or Subaru?

Of all the ADAS out there, probably the two of the most reliable and innovative come from Toyota and Subaru. To decide which is better, here’s a side-by-side comparison of ADAS features and details.

Toyota Safety Sense was one of the ADAS pioneers. It includes the intuitive use of cameras, lasers, and radar, installed in and around the vehicle, including bumpers, windshield, and front grille. There are audible alerts as well as visual alerts, signaling to drivers that unfavorable driving conditions or obstacles are present. And the system taps the brakes for you if you don’t respond in time.

TSS 2.5+, the latest version, Toyota improves pedestrian detection, auto emergency braking, full-speed dynamic radar cruise control, and pre-collision systems.

Subaru EyeSight helped the company to earn the highest IIHS safety ratings in frontal crash scenarios. It’s an ADAS loaded with similar technology to Toyota but brings a few additional elements.

There are dual cameras at work with Subaru EyeSight, as Find the Best Car Price points out, that bring added awareness to the driver. Among the best features within this suite of safety systems include adaptive cruise, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision throttle management, sway warnings, and pre-collision braking.

Based on list-for-list comparisons and taking into consideration the few differences between these ADAS, most consumers might agree they’re evenly matched. Both automakers clearly take enhanced security and accident mitigation seriously.

The Toyota and Subaru collaboration

There are a couple of new models to look for in 2023 from Toyota and Subaru. The 2023 Subaru Solterra is coming, as is the 2023 Toyota bZ4X. Both are the first battery-powered electric vehicles from each brand. And while they’re technically under different badges, both of these vehicles were co-developed as a Toyota and Subaru mashup of sorts. 

Other Toyota and Subaru collab efforts include the Toyota GR86 and the Subaru BRZ sports cars. And it just means there will be plenty of similarities to draw between the two, including robust ADAS.

If you’re looking for a new Toyota that comes with Toyota Safety Sense, you can check out the 2023 Tacoma, Tundra Hybrid, 4-Runner, RAV4, Corolla Cross, and Tundra. You’ll find it on your beloved Camry, Corolla, Prius, and Highlander models, too. Subaru EyeSight is standard on the Forester, Legacy, Outback, Ascent, and automatic-transmission versions of the BRZ.

If safety matters most to you, you’ll definitely want to stick with Toyota and Subaru. Both offer the industry’s leading ADAS, with all the latest tech and innovations. Despite having different names, both suites bring the most intuitive safety extras you want.