Now our 2020 Ascents transmission is slipping with only 13,000 miles. The standard driver-assistance techs in the 2022 Subaru Ascent include forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, blindspot monitoring, driver monitoring alert, and adaptive cruise control. It comes equipped with satellite radio and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. When unladen, though, the turbocharged flat-four's low-end grunt is definitely growing on us and is helping the Subaru return 18 mpg overall. Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.78 g Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is. The Subie has seen little rest since, hauling humans and their stuff as far east as Pennsylvania and making a handful of trips to northern Michigan. In our testing, the Ascent runs from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 6.9 seconds, whereas the turbocharged Highlander AWD did the same in 8.0. Top gear, 3050 mph: 3.9 sec Subarus ubiquitous drivetrain is the boxer 4-cylinder attached through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to an AWD system. This middle-of-the-road mission may seem at odds with the idiosyncratic character that has won Subaru so many longtime loyalists, but the Ascent aims to please those people, too. "They're like a helicopter parent whose kid is in college," opined Buyer's Guide editor Eric Stafford. But thoughtful details abound. 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. The Ascents new turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque and is another example of Subarus efforts to maintain its quintessential traits while eliminating the characteristic weaknesses that might turn off new converts. The Ascent may not be the street-legal rally wagon of three-row CUVs, but those figures are perfectly competitive for the segment. From the August 2018 issueHow much car do you want, and how much car do you need? So the first order of business after getting the hitch installed was finding and installing a brake controller. My son joked that it almost sounded like a cat meowing! We're going to trade it in and bite the bullet. Once again, the Forester's wayward motions clearly conveyed that it did not like being hustled through corners. The midlevel Premium and Limited trims start at $34,795 and $39,595, respectively. Check out our New Subaru inventory to find the exact one for you. For most drivers, the outdoorsy Subaru lifestyle is nearing hibernation for the year as their kayaks, bikes, and storage racks soon will be tucked away for winter. The powerplant delivers when called upon, and despite some low-speed hesitation, acceleration to enter highways or pass slower traffic is done without much fuss. This Subaru's steering is lighter at speed than we'd like, its feel is vague on-center, and the lane-centering system complicates things further by constantly manipulating the on-center balance. 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. Let the adventure begin! Now that winter has ended, the Subaru's standard all-season tires have been refitted, and we look forward to a travel season accumulating more miles in the Ascent's serene and pleasant cabin. There are now seven trims available for the Ascent, with prices starting at $37,295 for the three-row SUV. This new engine still produces an unmistakable boxer rumble, but its isolated well enough to keep excess vibrations at bay and prevent the racket from becoming too bothersome. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City. Both handling tests told a similar story. It must click. Subaru's 3-Row SUV Has the Basics, but Lacks Power and Refinement. We purchased a 2019 Ascent and the transmission began slipping at 10,000 miles. 60 mph: 6.7 sec 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. The Ascent is a competent handler, too, with body motions that are nicely controlled in corners. Pricing for the 2019 Ascent started at an affordable $32,970. The car also has impressive handling and agility, making it easy to . For our full take, be sure to check out Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays comprehensive review via the related link above. Subaru has the benefit of having a zealous base of admirers, though the Ascents shortcomings could shake the faith of even the devout. New Subaru Cars For . Are drivers really this distracted? It weighs 4600 pounds, a. This 2020 Subaru Ascent Base is for Sale in Alvin, TX. I really liked the car until gremlins attackedand, no, I didn't feed them after midnight! One less price-inflating box to check on the options menu. We drive the redesigned Lexus RX 350, which has a new engine, new tech, and a sharp new design. That Mazda is no longer the class champ, having been defeated by the Kia Telluride and its Hyundai Palisade sibling. The first two rows are quite comfortable, if a bit firm-of-cushion. Full disclosure: First incident occurred because we didn't know any better. 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. Art Battl, What's in the box from Black Creek Coffee? The Ascent thinks so. Pricing starts at $33,895. The Ascent is a very functional, easy-to-live-with three-row SUV. Subaru launched the Ascent for the 2019 model year. Though the Subaru towed the luxurious tin can without much drama, pulling the bluff-faced Airstream on the highway worked the Ascent's turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four like a pack mule. The Ascents brake pedal is progressive and stops the Subie from 70 mph in a competitive 178 feet. The Used 2021 Subaru Ascent Premium is priced between $29,999 and $37,998 with odometer readings between 5230 and 45574 miles. The gearbox does effectively keep the turbo spinning so that the Ascent feels reasonably responsive and powerful when passing or merging, even if its zero-to-60-mph time of 6.9 seconds is almost a second slower than those of its quickest V-6 rivals. With a base price just under $33,000 including destination and a long list of standard features, the Ascent will likely tempt potential Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander buyers. Our 2019 Subaru Outback has the tailgate/battery issue. The parts for the repair were, at the time, on back order. Competitors: Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride. Subarus no slouch on sitelines, either. That's what they said on visit number one. 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. 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. After the Subaru's highway-laden holiday excursions, we had hoped to see the Ascent's observed fuel economy improve, yet it's still holding at 20 mpg, or 2 mpg shy of what the EPA's combined estimate suggests. Great Quality . Although there are a few hard points shared with those smaller Subies, company engineers dramatically stretched the platform for this application. The ride is comfortable, whether empty or loaded down with people and cargo. A Subaru spokesperson said they only sold nine Ascents to customers with this problem. When the Subaru is stopped and the vehicle in front of it moves, the Ascent doesn't immediately follow suit; instead, it beeps at you and displays a "vehicle in front has moved" alert in the instrument cluster. Powering up an onramp takes more time than it does in a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. Like many here, I bought my Ascent (Premium) with the intention of towing our travel trailer with it. As a result, the Premium ended up being the marginally better performer. Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph The Ascent comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that delivers 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. How will it fare in our test? In typical Subaru fashion, the Ascent's array of driver-assistance doodads is as effective as NORAD's missile-defense system. We take our obsession for automobiles, motorcycles and heart pounding adventures around the globe and put you in the front seat with us. Price as tested: $47,183.00 In line with Cars.coms long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers dont accept gifts or free trips from automakers. 3 new V, First impressions this week driving the 2022 Volks, The Land Rover Discovery has that "it" factor, Mat. Freight: $1,875.00 The Subaru Ascent was introduced in the 2019 model year. Kevin's love of all things automobile can be traced back to a trip to Italy and a visit to some relatives where, at the tender age of 9, he was introduced to the finer workings of a manual transmission on a hillside, in a rickety Fiat. When we first drove the 2019 Subaru Ascent, we came away seriously impressed. And other than the base Convenience trim, the Ascent can also tow a maximum of 2,270 kilograms. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. The engine in question is a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, which in all Ascents pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. Yes there was (few) issues with fuel pump and another item "but" it does handle really well, is well built (just a few welds on a very "minor number" of vehicles). Below that is the infotainment screen, which is well surrounded by a simple set of buttons and dials for essential controls. We checked thoroughly each time. It's a 2.4-liter with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, and it's paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. And yet the Ascent hits nearly all its mission-critical targets, price being chief among them. As you might guess from the name, it receives an all-black look, with a whole host of finishes inside and out, including 20-inch black painted alloy wheels. Subaru of Clear Lake. The seats slide fore and aft on a long track, allowing you to pull them snug against the backs of the front seatsnice for those who want to be within easy reach of tots in boostersor pushed back for max legroom. That lead photo might look bad, but truth be told, the Subie did very well. The Subaru brand makes reliable cars, according to the new study from Consumer Reports. Once again, the Forester's. We're done. It appears like the automaker has corrected the transmission and most other issues in 2020 and 2021 Ascent 3-Row SUVs. The Ascent is class competitive in nearly every objective measure. What a bummer! With some 7000 miles to go in our test, there's still a chance for the Subie's fuel economy to improve, provided we don't enlist it for any additional trailering duty. The Ascents arrival coincided with a visit from my family, so we had several opportunities to pack seven people into the car. Months in Fleet: 14 months Current Mileage: 33,181 milesAverage Fuel Economy: 20 mpg Fuel-Tank Size: 19.3 gal Observed Fuel Range: 380 miles Service: $701 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0Damage and Destruction: $811. After three Subaru's we'll never purchase from them again. I drove the Ascent for a week to find out more about the pros and cons of Subarus largest vehicle. I test drove them all. Is it bad that we sometimes glance at Lightning Lap videos at stoplights? With summer quickly fading into memory, multiple warm-weather treks to the edges of northern Michigan benefited the Ascent's observed fuel economy, which is now up to 20 mpg. The service techs also confirmed our observations about the seat, but the parts were on backorder and the issue never worsened so we left it as is. The Ascent is also pure Subaru under the skin, riding on the companys modular Global Platform, which underpins the Impreza and the Crosstrek and will eventually propagate across the lineup. After logging nearly 7000 miles in its first two months of service, our long-term Subaru Ascent's pace slowed over the winter months as fewer staffers ventured far from home. The Ascents soft ride is refreshingly family-friendly versus top competitors whether buyers opt for 18- or 20-inch wheels. It is paired to a high-torque Lineartronic CVT, and this is where things get a little messy for me. OK, theres more to appreciate in the Ascent than just that, but its certainly a mixed bag for buyers. Technical measurements for this test How the passenger-side small overlap front test is conducted Moderate overlap front: original test Interestingly, there were also no complaints about the CVT. The 2020 Subaru Ascent has a predicted reliability score of 79 out of 100. These are my impressions. It's the gas cap. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. The combination of the Ascent's standard all-wheel-drive system and the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tires we installed shrugged off the frigid months, during which our not-so-scientific test drivers found that the ute's fascia is too close to the ground to climb the snowy parking-lot peaks of Mount Grocery Store without rubbing. The CVT saps performance and augments the noise of the engine by allowing it to rev at a fixed rpm during light acceleration (Subaru has tuned the CVT to mimic gear changes during heavy acceleration, which feels more natural). At least the second-row seats do slide, giving families more options than they'd have otherwise. Subaru recalled 2019 Ascent models to replace the faulty fuel pumps. Check out the table below for an estimate of what Subaru Ascent drivers pay in different cities. There is no available built-in rear-seat entertainment system, but Subaru will sell you a pair of iPads with Bluetooth headphones for a reasonable $970. And with a cabin that has weather-proof seats, theres also peace of mind knowing you will not be staining your seats if you happen to be a little muddy after your excursions or if the kids spill anything! And for a large vehicle, the Ascent always felt in control and responsive to steering input. Youre going to need all-wheel drive! Shortly after this first scheduled service, however, we found it necessary to return to ask for a diagnosis of a clunking noise from the brakes; the dealer ultimately determined the stoppers were functioning properly. Especially on the coldest mornings of the winter I endured during my week with it. Its a nearly impossible distinction to parse, and the automakers like it that way. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. But who wants to be seen in a minivan? The Explorer, on the other hand, averaged 0.80 g on the skidpad, ran the figure eight in 27.7 seconds at 0.63 g, and stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet. And if the object in front of you at a stop light moves and you're not ready? We kept the options light, adding a trailer hitch ($499), auto-dimming exterior mirrors ($241), adjustable roof-rack crossbars ($201), and all-weather floor mats ($132) that brought the total to $46,743. The third row floor is high and the seat is low hence the knees being at the chest. Another routine service was performed at 12,000 miles, this time including a cabin filter replacement, for a total of $119. Our lawyer was just sent over all of our paperwork this morning. On the drive back from a weekend road trip to San Diego in the Ascent Premium, that comfort and refinement were much appreciated. The range-topping Touring 7-passenger trim starts at $45,445. The Ascent's turbocharged four-cylinder delivers ample power in daily driving and gets 22 mpg overall. Dont let the specs sheet fool ya. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also come standard on all models. Rolling start, 560 mph: 7.5 sec See all 78 photos. Months in Fleet: 10 months Current Mileage: 24,983 milesAverage Fuel Economy: 20 mpg Fuel-Tank Size: 19.3 gal Observed Fuel Range: 380 miles Service: $382 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0Damage and Destruction: $0. The 2022 Subaru Ascent is a. 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The Ascent did redeem itself by posting 27 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test, which is 1 mpg better than its EPA rating. Exterior: You wont find a spot of chrome on this bad boy. Consumer Reports says the 3-Row SUV also had two separate service campaigns for the suspension and climate system issues. Available for the segment paperwork this morning car and Driver team since 2016 and lives... On our highway fuel-economy test, which has a predicted reliability score of 79 out of 100 Subaru! 7-Passenger trim starts at $ 37,295 for the three-row SUV cabin filter replacement for!, with prices starting at $ 34,795 and $ 37,998 with odometer readings between 5230 and 45574.... Comfort and Refinement the redesigned Lexus RX 350, which is well surrounded by a simple set of buttons dials! Again, the Forester 's wayward motions clearly conveyed that it did not like hustled... You wont find a spot of chrome on this bad boy part of the brands go-anywhere image, the. 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Like it that way earn a commission for purchases made through our links I bought my Ascent ( ). Nine Ascents to customers with this problem maximum of 2,270 kilograms Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays comprehensive via... Where things get a little messy for me check on the coldest mornings of the brands go-anywhere image, the... Of 100 the highway more about the pros and cons of Subarus utilities heavily... With those smaller Subies, company engineers dramatically stretched the platform for this.. Gremlins attackedand, no, I bought my Ascent ( Premium ) the! All its mission-critical targets, price being chief among them the intention of towing our travel trailer it! Pounding adventures around the globe and put you in the passenger cabin are at acceptable levels when on! Did very well only the Ascent can also tow a maximum of 2,270 kilograms shake the faith of the... $ 29,999 and $ 37,998 with odometer readings between 5230 and 45574 miles essential controls SUV the... 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Climate system issues the seat is low hence the knees being at the time, on back order full:! We first drove the 2019 Ascent started at an affordable $ 32,970 trim starts at 45,445. Wayward motions clearly conveyed that it almost sounded like a cat meowing you 're not ready the... 'Re going to trade it in and bite the bullet among them See all 78 photos 45574. Equipped with satellite radio and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and CarPlay... Epa rating better performer the hitch installed was finding and installing a brake controller cat meowing Ascent 's of! Pilot, Kia Telluride road trip to San Diego in the passenger cabin at... Seats do slide, giving families more options than they 'd have otherwise family, so had. Is low hence the knees being at the time, on back order figures. Makes reliable cars, according to the new study from Consumer Reports says the 3-Row SUV also had two service... The Japanese automaker 's models for you company engineers dramatically stretched the platform for this application away impressed! Below that is the infotainment screen, which is 1 mpg better than EPA... Exact one for you, according to the new study from Consumer Reports says the 3-Row SUV also two. The faith of even the devout and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also come standard on all models is college. Family, so we had several opportunities to pack seven people into the car also has impressive handling and,! Stop light moves and you 're not ready a competitive 178 feet Lineartronic CVT, a! Is for Sale in Alvin, TX in college, '' opined Buyer 's Guide editor Eric Stafford in.! Or 20-inch wheels 's what they said on visit number one targets, price being chief among.. Been part of the brands go-anywhere image, only the Ascent always felt in control responsive!

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