2019 Subaru Ascent Review

All use a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (260 horsepower, 277 pound-feet of torque) paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive comes standard across the lineup.

Base models start with 18-inch wheels, roof rails, automatic headlights, 60/40-split folding second- and third-row seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a rearview camera, four USB ports (two in front, two in the second row), a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio.

Also included is Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, which bundles forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

The Premium trim adds heated side mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear-seat climate controls, spill-resistant cloth upholstery, and an upgraded multimedia system with an 8-inch touchscreen, voice controls, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium trim also includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

Subaru offers a couple of optional packages for the Premium. The OP 12 package bundles a power liftgate with preferred height memory, keyless access and ignition, a panoramic sunroof, an auto-dimming mirror, and reverse automatic braking, which applies the brakes to avoid a collision while in reverse. An OP 14 version has those features plus 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a navigation system and a cargo area cover. When you pick one of these packages, second-row captain's chairs (seven-passenger max capacity) also become available.

The Limited is also available in a seven- or eight-passenger seating configuration and adds on to the Premium with the contents of the OP 12 package, 20-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, LED foglights, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, additional driver-seat adjustments, heated outboard second-row seats, rear door sunshades, dual third-row USB ports, and additional leather cabin accents.

An optional package for the Limited trim gets you the panoramic sunroof, navigation system, cargo, cover and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.

The Touring trim bundles all of the Limited's features and options, then adds chrome exterior accents, automatic wipers, ambient cabin lighting, upgraded leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 120-volt household-style power outlet, a total of eight USB ports, a front-view camera display, and a rearview mirror with a rearview camera image, which lets you see out back even if your normal view is blocked by passengers or cargo.