2023 Subaru Ascent

　　

2023 Subaru Ascent Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2023 Subaru Ascent, a three-row midsize SUV, is Subaru's largest model. Like the smaller Forester and Outback, the Ascent comes with standard all-wheel drive and enough ground clearance to help you maneuver in inclement weather or off road. It's not as capable in the dirt as off-road-focused SUVs such as the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but the Ascent is certainly one of your better midsize choices for getting up to eight passengers out into nature.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$169/mo  for Ascent Base

　　Ascent Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $33,895 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $36,495 MSRPOnyx Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $41,295 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $41,595 MSRPOnyx Edition Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $46,295 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $48,195 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Subaru launched the Ascent for the 2019 model year. For 2023, it receives a variety of updates.

　　Changes include updated front and rear styling, with new lighting, bumpers and grille. The Ascent also comes standard this year with a bigger center touchscreen display. This is the 11.6-inch unit Subaru has been putting in its latest models, and it finally makes its debut here. Other changes include an improved forward collision mitigation system, a newly available top-down parking camera system, and a new Onyx Edition Limited trim.

　　There is no shortage of rivals in this class. Some of zzdcar' favorites include the corporate siblings Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, as well as the Honda Pilot and Volkswagen Atlas. Ford's Explorer in the outdoorsy Timberland trim is another midsize three-row SUV worth a look. If you don't need a third row, check out the Honda Passport or Subaru's midsize Outback. There are certainly lots of models to pick from, but the Ascent's 2023 updates should make it a bit more competitive.

　　

Which Ascent does zzdcar recommend?

We think most people will be best served by the Premium trim. For not much more than the base model it adds several amenities, including heated seats, upgraded interior materials, blind-spot warning and a higher towing capacity.

　　

Subaru Ascent models

The 2023 Subaru Ascent is available in six trim levels: base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition Limited, Limited and Touring. All Ascents use a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (260 horsepower, 277 lb-ft of torque) paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive comes standard across the lineup. Feature highlights include:

　　Base

　　Starts you off with:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights Seating for eight Three-zone climate control 11.6-inch infotainment screen Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility Six-speaker sound system Four USB ports 2,000-pound towing capacity Standard driver aids include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) 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) Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Premium

　　Adds some appealing upgrades, including:

　　5,000-pound maximum towing capacity Optional seven-passenger seating configuration Upgraded interior materials Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) Standard on the Premium's seven-passenger configuration and optional for the eight-passenger are:

　　Power rear liftgate Proximity keyless entry and push-button start Auto-dimming rearview mirror Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Onyx Edition

　　Based on the seven-passenger Premium trim, it adds:

　　20-inch black finish alloy wheels Upgraded all-wheel-drive system Power rear liftgate Panoramic sunroof Black grille and exterior trim Proximity keyless entry and push-button start Water-repellent simulated leather upholstery Heated steering wheel Auto-dimming rearview mirrorOnyx Edition Limited

　　This new-for-2023 trim builds on the Onyx Edition with:

　　Driver's seat memory and additional adjustments Power-adjustable front-passenger seat Heated second-row seats Upgraded instrument display Integrated navigation system 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system Intercom system (known as Cabin Connect, it broadcasts the driver's voice through the rear speakers) 360-degree surround-view system (uses cameras in all four directions to compose a single image of the car’s surroundings) Driver attention monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)Limited

　　The Limited combines many, but not all, features from the seven-passenger Premium and Onyx Edition Limited trims and adds:

　　20-inch dark gray alloy wheels Leather upholstery Simulated leather dash panel Second-row retractable sunshades An optional package for the Limited adds:

　　Dual-panel panoramic sunroof with sunshade Folding mirrors with integrated turn signals Cargo cover Integrated navigation system 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system Intercom system (known as Cabin Connect, it broadcasts the driver's voice through the rear speakers) 360-degree surround-view system (uses cameras in all four directions to compose a single image of the car’s surroundings) Driver attention monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)Touring

　　Comes with all the Limited’s standard features and options and adds:

　　Ambient interior lighting 120-volt power outlet Ventilated front seats Upgraded leather upholstery Digital auto-dimming rearview mirror with real-time camera image 180-degree forward parking camera Automatic wipers

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