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2020 Subaru Ascent Review
Price Estimate: $19,496 - $30,990
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Average
7.6
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2020 Ascent is Subaru's best three-row SUV to date. We like its standard all-wheel drive, useful technology features and solid build quality. A roomier third-row seat and a smoother-shifting transmission would make it better, but overall this is an appealing family hauler.
2020 Subaru Ascent Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Adds a standard rear-seat reminder alert system
- Adds power-folding side mirrors
- Part of the first Ascent generation introduced for 2019
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$168/mo for Ascent Base
Ascent Base
vs
$232/mo
Avg. Large SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Subaru Ascent Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
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2020 Ascent still hits a sweet spot, 4 years later
5 out of 5 starsSatisfied Customer , 07/31/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
I have now owned the 2020 Touring for 4 years, and it is still a car I am very happy with. Folks who complain about the accelerator being too responsive must be lead footed- for me its responsiveness hits a sweet spot and is one of the main reasons I picked the Ascent over its competitors, which I found to be, for lack of better words, lumbering and clunky in their responsiveness. I'm … also baffled by reviews that the engine is "loud" or that there is too much noise inside the car. I just called a friend using the hands free setup while driving on the highway and we both commented on how you could hear a pin drop during the call. The Ascent feels like a premium quality car and in particular I love the balance Subaru has struck in building in so many standard safety features without them feeling distracting or obtrusive. On fuel efficiency, with a significant amount of local and city driving, it has consistently come in on the lower end of Subaru's reported range, with significantly higher fuel efficiency on highways. Based on my experience so far, I can confirm I am thoroughly satisfied with the new 2020 Ascent and am happy to give it an emphatic five stars.
Update: I have now owned the 2020 Ascent for four years and almost 50,000 miles. It has met or exceeded all of my expectations during this time. I use it to commute into NYC where the poor road conditions often require an all terrain vehicle, on ski trips when the roads are iced over, when the rain is coming down so hard that there are flash flood warnings, and on backcountry dirt and rocky roads, and at all times have felt in control and safe. I truly love this car, and look forward to continuing to drive it for many years to come. I remain a thoroughly satisfied customer.
Update: I am now nearly 50,000 miles into owning my Subaru Ascent. I continue to love this car, as well as the Subaru service center that takes care of it. I find my Ascent to be dependable and comfortable, and currently my main issue that that my wife now wants to use it more and more for group excursions with our son and his schoolmates. I continue to give the Ascent particularly high marks for control in inclement weather and rough terrain.
Me happy
5 out of 5 starsFlorida Jack, 10/14/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
A previous reviewer questioned owners who claim the Ascent is noisy, and at 3K mi so do I. Tire noise is annoying over older and coarse concrete pavement on I-5, but other than that mine is quiet until 80 mph. I wouldn’t drive faster than that in a vehicle this big anyway.
The new boxer engine’s torque is pretty amazing, especially when stabbing the throttle at 25 mph. Forget paddle … shifters; just floor it! My four banger boxer engine also is vibration free — because it’s a boxer design, I’ve read.
Boxer engine design also means lower center of gravity, which improves handling. My Ascent’s ride & handling seem very good to excellent for such a tall vehicle.
Right now I’m getting 23.5 mpg over 1300 miles; other tankfuls have been as low as 19 mpg. All on cheap 87 octane. Pretty sweet for a torquey turbo engine IMO.
Great all rounder, great value
5 out of 5 starsEd Weick, 02/02/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
I’m very happy with this car. It may not be the most exciting category of cars to shop in, but it’s an excellent daily companion which will make your life easier. As a daily driver for commuting to work, driving kids, dogs, shopping- it’s perfect. When it’s time to hit some trail heads for hiking, biking, or camp sites it’s a natural. With the seats folded down you can throw in an air … mattress and camp right in the back. I’m continually surprised how comfortable and luxurious his car feels, and that’s coming from a BMW. It’s quiet, smooth, and has a very solid build quality that makes it feel like a much more expensive branded car. It’s really a tremendous value for the money. The eye sight features work very well and has made this the best highway cruiser I’ve ever had. If you’re concerned how the power train sounds on paper, don’t be. It works extraordinarily well. The car review industry hates CVTs, but this is the best I’ve driven. It’s so smooth and unobtrusive you’ll soon forget its there. The power is good. Great actually considering it’s a turbo 4, as a daily driver it has plenty of power. I disagree with Edmunds assessment of abrupt throttle response and being noisy at times. Fuel economy is OK depending on how much highway you do. If I do all local suburban driving I’ll average about 18.5 mpg, on highway it does fantastic, so if I have a tank that I mix even a few highway trips in, I’ll beat 20 mpg. The AWD system in this car is unstoppable. I’ve owned a lot of cars and this car is a great all rounder that does everything very well.
Update: 15k miles in and still no issues, still a great car, still recommend.
Update 20k miles, still no issues, still recommend
Sue is a delight
5 out of 5 starsDave, 10/22/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
I have the Touring Model with as many extras as I could get. I've owned the Mercedes R350 (my favorite car ever) and two xc90s (old model and new). The Ascent compares favorably to all of them when you factor in cost and maintenance. I've never felt safer in a car going faster than 80 MPH. The ride is smooth and quiet (I'm not getting the noise complaints). The only real issue is that … the hood vibrates up and down at speed and can be distracting for a few minutes. Subaru could tighten the latch down better. The gas mileage is ok, but I wish it was better; it's still better than the XC90. It's a little sluggish getting up to speed, but I kind of expect that as well. The interior is just as nice as a luxury car and my kids love the USB ports and in-car WiFi. The third row is not for adults, but unless you are driving a Suburban or Expidition that is going to be the case anyway. The car is a bargain at half the price of most luxury brands with many of the same touches. I"m happy I bought it and would buy it again.
2020 Subaru Ascent video
Kia Telluride vs. Subaru Ascent — 2020 SUV Comparison Test
Three-row midsize SUV comparison hosted by Mark Takahashi and Elana Scherr. Today Edmunds is comparing the Kia Telluride versus the Subaru Ascent. We'll be looking at Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent dimensions, cargo space, ground clearance, interior comfort and functionality, drivability, features and more.
2020 Ascent Highlights
Base
| Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $31,995 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $168/month |
| Seating | 8 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 17.8 cu.ft. |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
| Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Ascent models:
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Automatically applies the vehicle's brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing.
- EyeSight Assist Monitor
- Provides a head-up display of EyeSight system warnings and system status data on the windshield.
- Safety Plus Package
- Offers emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance and automatic collision notification to first responders, among other services.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover17%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedGood
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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