Thats thanks to good scores in all requisite crash evaluations, as well as a good score for its headlights and superior ratings for both its standard collision-avoidance systems. And although the Touring definitely had a fancier cabin, features such as adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and second-row air vents kept the Premium from feeling like a consolation prize. Our lawyer was just sent over all of our paperwork this morning. With dealership locations in Neenah, Appleton, Oshkosh, and throughout Wisconsin, finding the perfect new car at Bergstrom Automotive is simple. The powertrain coverage for its cars is five years. However, copy chief Carolyn Pavia-Rauchman found yet another peeve related to distracted driving. Save. Im not a huge fan of this setup. Check out our New Subaru inventory to find the exact one for you. Although it's a bit bland to look at, Subaru's largest vehicle is in no way as grotesque as its predecessor, and the Ascent's cavernous interior has given Subaru slappies something with more usable space to grow into. But thoughtful details abound. Nothing is constant, just periodical problems, which, of course, can't be fixed. After three Subaru's we'll never purchase from them again. The downside: more buttons to scan through to find the important ones. "Like the really, Cadillac is making waves this week with the releas, Has Porsche has become a crossover company? CR gives the new 2021 models a predicted owner satisfaction score of 4/5. In recent years, it has transcended its humble roots as a small, offbeat automaker with an unconventional customer base by convincing an ever larger number of people that not only do they want all-wheel drive, plastic body cladding, and extra ground clearance, they need this stuff. That setup, with various degrees of tuning, powers everything from Subarus little Impreza sedan to the 3-row Ascent (the Ascent has a turbocharger to boost horsepower to 260). After abiding by the prescribed 1000-mile break-in period, the Ascent clicked off a zero-to-60-mph run of 6.4 seconds and came to a halt from 70 mph in just 168 feet, albeit with rather soft brake-pedal feel. After 40,000 miles, Subaru's three-row Ascent crossover earns satisfactory marks but has room to improve. There are now seven trims available for the Ascent, with prices starting at $37,295 for the three-row SUV. Thats why we evaluate as many vehicles as we can, so youll know what to expect. 2023 Subaru Ascent. David Beard studies and reviews automotive related things and pushes fossil-fuel and electric-powered stuff to their limits. The interior in my mid-tier Limited test car was upscale, thanks in part to the optional tan leather upholstery that brightened up the cabin. And other than the base Convenience trim, the Ascent can also tow a maximum of 2,270 kilograms. That wasn't the case with the Ascent's oddly styled predecessor, the B9 Tribeca. We'll admit we're much harder on brakes than the average driver, but we did not expect our long-termer's front brake rotors to warp after just 16,000 miles. Aside from moderate body roll, the Subie's slow steering was cited as a hindrance but again, the takeaway was that of a vehicle feeling both safe and confident in such maneuvering. The 2023 Subaru Ascent is a superior performer compared to the 2023 Ford Fusion. The 2019 Subaru Ascent had more problems than any other model in the automaker's lineup, but there have been no significant issues with the 2020 Subaru Ascent models. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.coms advertising, sales and sponsored content departments. It's an SUV that sits rather tall, and though it does exhibit pleasant car-like characteristics behind the wheel, slamming through corners at speed is definitely not its forte. Price: The 2022 Subaru Ascent has a starting price of $32,295 for the base 8-passenger model. Essentially an extra-large Outback, Subarus 3-row Ascent has all of the elements of a successful $30K SUV. Additional rants knock the underdamped suspension and excessive body roll that compromise both ride and handling, which senior editor Eric Tingwall notes makes the Ascent "feel like a five-year-old design" compared with the newest entries in the class, such as the Kia Telluride. The 2022 Subaru Ascent SUV | Model Walkaround Subaru 461K subscribers Subscribe 54K. They make more money if you buy more car than you need, and most of us do exactly that. The Ascent did redeem itself by posting 27 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test, which is 1 mpg better than its EPA rating. It consumes our every waking moment and keeps us up at night. Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph Families who have outgrown their Forester or Outback will also appreciate being able to upgrade to a three-row crossover that still wears a Subaru badge. Dorian also complimented the cargo hold's ample space and its ability to swallow a weekend's worth of camping supplies. Testing director Kim Reynolds noted that "given its height etc., it's fairly sporty" even though it's "understeery on turn-in." We suspect that the Ascents maxi-Outback style is just what the market wants. So Subaru sells you clutter, plus a place to put it. save over $3,400 on average off MSRP* on a new Subaru Forester. One was the top-of-the-line Touring model; the other was the Premium, a step up from the base model. Following the painless installation of a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 trailer-brake controller ($123) tapped into the under-dash port, the closest we've come to probing the limits of the Ascent's 5000-pound towing capacity was when we tugged a 3500-pound enclosed snowmobile trailer to northern Michigan. "The third-row seat is really for small children only," Rechtin wrote. The parts for the repair were, at the time, on back order. So far, our Ascent has not experienced any major hiccups. Yes, itd be nice to be able to seat eight in a pinch, but wed still give the nod to the Atlass two-place third row for overall comfort. It was true in my 2002 Outback, and its true in the 2021 Ascent. Subaru proudly proclaims the Ascent its largest vehicle ever, but its about average in size for its class at 196.8 inches long, 71.6 inches tall, and 76.0 inches wide. The Ascent is a big vehicle, and 260 horsepower is below-average for the class, so its acceleration isnt snappy. You have to be really smooth with both your right foot and your hands in order not to throw your passengers around." Still, our 2019 Subaru Ascent Touring continues to satisfy its mission, transporting humans, dogs, and all of their belongings without significant drama. Engine/transmission:2.4-litre Turbocharged Boxer 4-cylinder/ CVT The benefit is that I didnt need to dive into the touchscreen menus to find second-tier settings such as driver/passenger temperature sync. The Ascent comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that delivers 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The 2022 Subaru Ascent is a. Several active-safety features, such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, come standard on all trim levels. Its one of the few CVTs weve sampled that somewhat convincingly executes simulated shifts as you accelerate, mitigating the droning sensation that can exaggerate a boxer engines inherent lack of civility. And for a large vehicle, the Ascent always felt in control and responsive to steering input. 2023 Toyota Prius Prime Review: Sportier for Sure, But Why? In line with Cars.coms long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers dont accept gifts or free trips from automakers. Subarus ubiquitous drivetrain is the boxer 4-cylinder attached through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to an AWD system. The model, of course, comes standard with Subarus symmetrical all-wheel drive system, as well as with safety features like the EyeSight driver assist technology which features pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, lane keep assist and more. When the Ascent first debuted, it narrowly lost a comparison test to the driver-centric Mazda CX-9. And out on the road, it quickly becomes clear that the Ascent is exactly what Subaru needed it to be. Subaru is set to double down on the want/need duality with the new 2019 Ascent. Still, the inability to stretch a fill of the 19.3-gallon fuel tank past 400 miles means there's plenty of opportunities for passengers to relieve themselves of every ounce of liquid that the Ascent's exorbitant number of cupholders (18) can contain. Subarus no slouch on sitelines, either. Ride quality is not what wed call plush. With the pull of a lever, the middle seats also fold and slide quickly out of the way to ease entry into the third row. A yank of the steering wheel to deactivate the system reveals only a vague connection to the front wheels. The recalled models could not be fixed and were destroyed. Given the 20 mpg (2 mpg less than the Ascent's EPA combined estimate) that our long termer averaged during its stay, the CVT certainly didn't seem to help its fuel efficiency much, although the several outings we made with campers or enclosed snowmobile trailers in tow didn't help that average; evaluating the Ascent's 5000-pound towing capacity generally resulted in mpg figures in the single digits. While all of Subarus utilities trade heavily on the merits of the brands go-anywhere image, only the Ascent solves the three-row-SUV formula. Take the design, for instance. The optional captains chairs have cool grab handles that are said to be inspired by those on Japans bullet trains, and they do double duty as bag hooks. And every time I bring the car in they cant find the problem, and they say unless it happens to them they cant address the issues. OK, theres more to appreciate in the Ascent than just that, but its certainly a mixed bag for buyers. Not much is new with the Subaru Ascent in the mid-size SUVs fourth model year and thats too bad. Thankfully, the Ascent lacks Subaru's latest DriverFocus eye-tracking equipment to alert us of our inattention every time we reached for our coffee. The top-of-the-line Touring trim starts at $45,445. Instead, the Ascent sits at the tauter, sportier end of this segment, although the tense ride might settle down a bit with a full load of people and/or cargo onboard. One less price-inflating box to check on the options menu. The Pilot performed similarly, averaging 0.80 g on the skidpad, completing the figure eight in 27.5 seconds at 0.63 g, and coming to a halt in 119 feet. Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 10.5 L/100 km A whopping 19 cupholders are aboard. Subaru of Clear Lake. Road test editor Chris Walton called the engine a "surprisingly able motor for a large SUV" and praised the brakes' "short [stopping] distances and good fade resistance." Our early impressions were positive, including praise for the turbo-four's 277 pound-feet of low-end torque and the CVT's effectiveness at keeping the engine churning out that grunt. Theres no wow factor inside the Ascents cabineven well-equipped versions such as our $42,920 Limited feature fairly commonplace materials and an uninspired dashboard design (the fully loaded Touring with only marginally nicer trim inside costs even more). The Ascent doesn't attract much attention for its driving dynamics, and with more enticing newcomers in our fleet, such as the Ram 1500 and the Kia Telluride, it isn't our go-to for long hauls. The Ascent has removed $382 from our pockets thus far. Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 14.5 L/100 km That row is adequately spacious even for two adults, unlike those in many rivals, but it suffers from a somewhat low bottom cushion as well as Subarus decision to fit three seats there. The Touring, however, posted a 0-60 mph time of 7.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 15.8 seconds at 89.2 mph. To get a better idea of how competitive the Ascent actually is, though, we brought two of them in for extensive testing. Combined with little resistance from the helm as you turn off center, every motion becomes an event, and every occupant will be wishing for a dose of Dramamine. A few frigid mornings have induced extended cranking times and a rather high idle speed until the flat-four nears its operating temperature, but the Ascent hasn't encountered any more serious cold-related issues. Subaru may have embraced the CVT, but we can't help but wonder if it's time for it to move on, what with the bounty of excellent multi-speed automatics on the market today. Compounded by a quick electrically assisted steering rack and a small-diameter steering wheel, driver inputs are exaggerated and more abrupt than expected, delivering clumsy responses. Competitors: Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride. The Ascent is also much quicker than the Highlander. What a bummer! It doesnt take much squinting to see the Ascent as an overinflated, awkwardly proportioned Outback/Forester mash-up. Second one, we got distracted and forgot we had it open. Over that time, we've acclimated ourselves to the mushy continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that manages the low-end grunt of the 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, but it's the Subie's driver-assist systems that continue to provoke grumblings in the logbook. These are my impressions. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. 2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 7-Passenger review 5.0. Adults in the second row might be resting their heads on their knees, uncomfortably elevated by the Ascents low second-row cushions. When that system is activated, the Ascent has a tendency to stray between the lines, causing the Airstream to wag behind the ute like a dog's tail. The Subaru Ascent is also one of the models under investigation for a defective fuel pump, a Denso supplier issue, that affects other automakers. Keep out. Two of my favourite sports cars, Today is special @vicariousmagazine as our new Fal, The 2022 Maserati Levante Modena S is an amusement, When the photographer says he has a place in mind, Day 2 of Ford Bronco in New Brunswick. That lead photo might look bad, but truth be told, the Subie did very well. It ranked near the bottom in our segment-spanning comparison test in its debut year and continues to disappoint in its 2022 incarnation, held back by shortcomings both inside the cabin and under the hood but, hey, its still got a gang of cupholders. The Ascent isn't perfect, though. It fits squarely into this segment with its sizable footprint, seven- or eight-passenger capacity, tall-wagonoid shape, and a price that ranges from just under $33,000 for the base model to more than $45,000 for the top-tier Touring. This 2020 Subaru Ascent Base is for Sale in Alvin, TX. The new-for-2019 Ascent addressed those needs effectively. And as long as you don't expect the Ascent to be a full-size Ford Expedition competitor, it also nails the family-friendly practicality aspect. Areas with higher cost of living will usually have more expensive car repair services, especially if there's less local competition. The company wants you to believe that you need a Subaru. The midlevel Premium and Limited trims start at $34,795 and $39,595, respectively. The Ascent is class competitive in nearly every objective measure. BEEP. We can help! We checked thoroughly each time. Subaru also issued a recall for Ascent's driveshaft bolts that could loosen. That puts us $701 into the red for scheduled maintenance. NO OTHER LIGHT WERE ON AND NO OTHER DOORS WERE OPEN. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City. Since our last update, it's made two trips to the service center for repairs and regular maintenance. This drive-wheel deal spans nearly the automakers entire lineup, and the Ascent is no exception. 2024 Mazda CX-90 Review: More Than Mainstream, 2022 Subaru Ascent | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry, Shopping for a 2022 Subaru Ascent? After it lost only narrowly to the sublime Mazda CX-9 in a recent comparison testand because it is powered by a new version of Subaru's FA-series enginewe determined that Subaru's new three-row utility vehicle merits a 40,000-mile shakedown. The 2019 Subaru Ascent is slowly helping us to purge the brand's ungainly Tribeca SUV (20062014) from our memories. 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