2021 Subaru Ascent Review

　　

2021 Subaru Ascent Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　The 2021 Subaru Ascent is a decent choice in the midsize three-row SUV class, but it's far from being a top contender, currently sitting in seventh place in zzdcar' rankings. For 2021, the Ascent gets a full suite of standard safety features including adaptive cruise control, along with lane keeping assist and steering-responsive LED headlights. But even with those additions, it still falls behind the top-rated Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot in a number of areas. We give credit to the Ascent's long list of standard features, refined interior and easy-to-use infotainment system. Yet the positives are tempered by an oversensitive gas pedal, noticeable in-cabin noise, a somewhat restrictive third-row seat and slightly stiff ride quality.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Subaru Ascent 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$160/mo  for Ascent Base

　　Ascent Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $32,295 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $34,795 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $39,595 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $45,445 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Ascent drive? The Ascent's turbocharged engine packs a strong punch, making it one of the quicker vehicles in the segment when you mash the gas. For typical driving, however, you'll need a fine touch to make the CVT automatic work smoothly. Even moderate throttle inputs result in surging acceleration, which can make passengers uncomfortable.

　　The Ascent has standard all-wheel drive and includes software-controlled traction and hill descent control. Combine those features with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and you've got an effective combination for taking on snow and dirt. The Subaru really is a four-season SUV.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Ascent? The Ascent's interior seating is comfortable and inviting for the most part. Third-row passengers might long for softer seats over longer distances. The climate control works well to keep the cabin environment pleasant, and rear passengers will appreciate the ceiling-mounted vents that provide good coverage.

　　On the downside, driving over cracks and seams in the pavement sends a lot of tire noise and vibration into the cabin. There's also the issue of engine noise, which can grow from a muted hum to a loud groan as the rpm climb to redline. The Ascent doesn't feel floaty, but overall ride comfort falls below the class leaders.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Get the seven-seater for full-size adults or eight-seater for cargo and/or kids. The Ascent is an approachable and easy-to-use crossover, and it fits drivers both big and small. Everything is clearly labeled, though there are a few acronyms that may require you to crack open the instruction manual.

　　The large windows and door-mounted side mirrors allow excellent side visibility. A high-def rear camera helps supplement an already large rear window. The one downside is the way the hood slopes down, which makes it hard to place the front edges of the bumper.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Subaru's Starlink system is in full force here. It features a crisp and responsive touchscreen and multiple ways to integrate your smartphone, and it is easy to use with minimal setup. A smattering of USB ports help keep your passengers' devices charged.

　　Our test car was equipped with a responsive and easy-to-use touchscreen navigation system. Otherwise, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and can handle nav needs for those without it. Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver aids is comprehensive and standard on all trim levels. Adaptive cruise control works all the way to a full stop.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Ascent has an average amount of space for cargo, with 17.6 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 86 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The third-row seats have to be folded from the back, and the second row must be done from the rear passenger doors. The resulting load floor isn't perfectly flat but should be sufficient in most cases. There are a lot of places for small items up front, but few are generous in size.

　　Most Ascent models provide 5,000 pounds of maximum towing weight. Standard Trailer Stability Assist helps minimize excess trailer sway. Towing requires the addition of an optional trailer hitch assembly that includes a wiring harness, which can be covered by a panel when not in use.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? We achieved 23.6 mpg on our 115-mile test loop, which slightly betters the Ascent's 22 mpg combined estimate (20 city/26 highway). Our best overall tank was 25.2 mpg after logging nearly 200 miles of highway driving while our test average came out to 21.7 mpg. That's not bad, and neither is the engine's requirement for 87 octane ― no premium required.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Ascent a good value? The cabin's interior design looks a bit busy, but its build quality is on par for the segment and price-competitive. Also on par are the warranty and roadside assistance offerings. As for value, you get all-wheel drive as standard, which impresses buyers who regularly deal with inclement weather.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The Ascent is comfortable, fun and capable when the going gets dirty. It's also smartly designed to carry four adults with all of their gear. Opting for the second-row bench seat makes for easy child-seat duty. Think of it as the golden retriever of three-row crossovers.

　　

Which Ascent does zzdcar recommend?

We recommend the Premium trim level, just one notch up from the base Ascent. The Premium balances affordability with feature availability. It comes standard with the larger 8-inch touchscreen and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and it offers options such as navigation and a panoramic sunroof.

　　

2021 Subaru Ascent models

The 2021 Subaru Ascent is available in base, Premium, Limited and Touring trim levels. All use a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (260 horsepower, 277 lb-ft of torque) paired with a CVT automatic. All-wheel drive comes standard across the lineup.

　　Base

　　Equipment for the base Ascent includes:

　　Three-zone climate control 6.5-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Six-speaker stereo with Bluetooth connectivity Steering-responsive LED headlights Rearview camera Manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Subaru and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)Buyers interested in the base trim level should know that it's only available in an eight-passenger configuration and the tow rating is limited to 2,000 pounds.

　　Premium

　　With the Premium, the tow rating is increased to 5,000 pounds. You also get:

　　Upgraded interior materials and a power-adjustable driver's seat 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability An optional seven-passenger seating configuration Heated front seats Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Keyless entry and a power rear liftgateOptions for the Premium include:

　　Power rear tailgate Auto-dimming rearview mirror Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Navigation Panoramic sunroofLimited

　　The Limited trim comes with most of the Premium's optional features as standard. Other standard equipment for the Limited includes:

　　LED foglights Heated steering wheel and heated second-row seats Perforated leather upholstery 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio systemTouring

　　The Touring trim simplifies things even further, sold only in the seven-passenger seating configuration and coming standard with all of the previously optional equipment. Also standard are some creature comforts such as:

　　Ambient interior lighting and a 120-volt power outlet Heated and ventilated front seats Forward parking camera

　　

2021 Ascent Highlights

Trim: BasePremiumLimitedTouringBase

　　

Base MSRP	$32,295
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$160/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles