History/Overview
Introduced last year, the Subaru Ascent is the brand's first three-row, mid-size SUV since 2014's Tribeca. The Ascent is a more cohesive effort to break into the competitive market for seven- and eight-seat crossovers, with styling that creates clear family ties to more established models like the Outback and Forester.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
Updates for 2020 are minor. The Ascent gains a rear-seat reminder system designed to prevent a child or pet from being left in the car. There's also a new central locking button on the tailgate for the passive keyless system.
Premier trim adds power-folding side mirrors, and all trims but the base model get a master dashboard button to control all interior lighting.
Available Trims
Subaru offers the Ascent in Convenience, Touring, Limited and Premier trims. All use the same engine, a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. It's matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission and Subaru's so-called symmetrical all-wheel drive system.
Standard Features
Convenience trim comes standard with heated side mirrors, LED daytime running lights, 18-inch wheels, a six-speaker stereo with 6.5-inch infotainment display, welcome lighting, 4.2-inch gauge cluster display, eight-passenger seating, cloth upholstery, eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, AWD X-mode will hill descent control and Subaru's EyeSight suite of active safety features and driver aids.
Touring trim gets a trailer tow rating boost to 2,270 kg (up from 908 kg in the base model) from a transmission fluid cooler, trailer pre-wiring and trailer stability control. Other additions include a power tailgate, auto-dimming side and rearview mirrors, LED fog lights, panoramic sunroof, windshield wiper de-icer, 8.0-inch infotainment screen, a retractable cargo cover, rear-seat climate controls, third-row reading lights, master interior lighting switch, passive keyless entry, water-resistant cloth upholstery, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, reverse automatic braking, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist.
Limited models gain chrome exterior trim, adaptive LED headlights, 20-inch wheels, navigation, a 14-speaker stereo, third-row USB charging ports, rear window sunshades, 6.3-inch multi-function display, leather seating, 10-way power driver's seat with lumbar and four-way power front passenger seat, heated steering wheel and automatic high beams.
Finally, the Premier package adds chrome door handles, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, ambient interior lighting, rear 120-volt power outlet, woodgrain interior trim, ventilated front seats and a front-view camera.
Key Options
Touring and Limited trims can be optioned with second-row bucket seats that reduce the Ascent's total seating capacity to seven.
Fuel Economy
Subaru's fuel consumption estimates for the Ascent are 11.6/9.0 L/100 km (city/highway).
Competition
The Subaru Ascent joins an established field of family-sized SUVs and crossovers. That cohort includes the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Santa Fe XL, Kia Sorento, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Terrain, Ford Flex and Explorer, Volkswagen Atlas and Dodge Journey and Durango.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
