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2023 Subaru Ascent Review

2023 Subaru Ascent Review

Source: www.subaru.com

A family SUV with smooth ride quality

Price From $35,120 – To $49,420

by | Aug 1, 2023

Overview

One of the key contenders in the three-row midsize SUV segment, the 2023 Subaru Ascent is a family-oriented vehicle. Designed for cozy rides, this lineup can easily seat up to eight passengers, including children. The third row makes the SUV a convenient choice for families with kids, but frankly, the seats seem to be too cramped. There are, however, lots of positive points that may impress the modern buyers. It has a well-equipped safety and driver-assist system with plenty of standard features, the cabin is thoughtfully crafted, the infotainment system takes great care of in-car entertainment during road trips, and there’s adequate cargo space to haul luggage. 

The current iteration of Ascent got a facelift with new lighting, a more loaded standards package, and bigger infotainment screen, among others. There is an all-new Onyx edition which unlocks premium features like hill descent control and panoramic sunroof. 

In this 2023 Subaru Ascent review, we’ll take a look at the lineup’s engine, performance, comfort quotient, safety, reliability, pricing, and more, and help you make an informed decision in case you’re planning to buy this SUV. 

Pros
Comfortable ride quality
Lots of standard safety and driver assist features
All-wheel drive available as standard across all trims
Cons
The engine is way too noisy, especially when running at highway speeds
Acceleration could have been better
Cramped third row can fit only children

Performance, Engine, and Comfort

(4.5/5)
When you’re investing in an SUV, one of the first things you look out for is the engine option, followed by its performance and comfort features. We cannot say the lineup is impeccable in these areas— some things need significant improvement, such as the unnecessary road noise. As for comfort, the cabin is designed with care to keep both the driver and the occupants comfortable for long journeys. 

Engine & Performance

(4/5)

When it comes to powertrain options, Subaru has kept it minimal with just one engine. While it’s powerful enough for various driving conditions, the engine can be quite noisy.

Engine 

The new Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged powertrain which generates 260 hp @ 5600 rpm and 277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm.

Transmission 

The engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Suspension

The vehicle comes with control arms for front suspension and multilink rear suspension.

Steering 

Its tilt and telescopic electric-powered steering wheel has controls for transmission, audio, and cruise control located on it. Steering is accurate, lightweight, and quick to respond.

Safety & Reliability

(5/5)

It’s evident that Subaru prioritizes driver’s and passengers’ safety in this lineup. JD power gave this lineup a reliability score of 82/100. It received a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it’s also a part of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+.

Brakes

Subaru Ascent comes with 13.1-inch vented disc for front brakes and 13-inch vented disc for rear brakes.

Airbags

The vehicle is equipped with dual front side-mount airbags and front and rear head airbags are part of the standard package.

Electronics

Subaru offers loads of standard and available electronic features, including blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, stability control, emergency braking assist, and tire pressure monitoring, to mention a few.

Lights

Dusk sensing headlamps, LED headlamp, adaptive headlights, self-leveling headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lights come as standard.

Traction control

Traction control is a safety system that detects when a wheel is losing its grip on the road and applies the brake automatically to prevent slippage. This feature especially comes in handy when you’re driving on slippery or wet roads. Good news is, like most modern SUVs, the 2023 Subaru Ascent is equipped with this feature as part of its standard safety suite.

Fuel Economy

(4/5)

Midsize SUVs usually have mediocre fuel economy, and the Subaru Ascent is no exception. The biggest vehicle from the house of Subaru is mostly meant for long drives on highways, so the highway fuel economy numbers aren’t that bad.

Engine size 

Under the hood of Subaru Ascent is a turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine of 2.4 liters.

Gas per mileage consumption

It can deliver 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

Interior

(4.5/5)

The interior is not too roomy because of the third row, but it’s more or less adequate for a small to medium sized family. Wherever you look in the cabin you’ll find the use of tasteful design elements, quality materials, and an upgraded touchscreen to make it easy to use while driving.

Seats 

The front seats, with a leg room of 42.2 inches, are comfortable enough. It comes covered in premium upholstery, bucket front seats, 8-way power adjusted and height adjustable driver’s seat, and multi-level heating for driver’s and passenger’s seats. The second row is equally comfortable, but the third row somehow lacks space.

Design 

The cabin design focuses on practicality without compromising on style. Its external design got a facelift with a brand new grille, making the vehicle look all the more eye-catching.

Infotainment 

While the infotainment system tries to accommodate most of the popular features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wi-fi hotspot, and a big 11.6-inch display, it’s not as intuitive as you’d expect it to be.

Overall height and space

The vehicle is 196.8 inches long, 86.1 inches wide, 71.6 inches in height, and the wheelbase has a dimension of 113.8 inches. It has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, which is convenient enough for driving through adverse road conditions.

Trunk space

When all the seats are in place, the base cargo volume is 17.8 cubic feet. You can maximize it up to 75.6 cubic feet by folding down the second and third row, in case you need to haul a large amount of luggage.

Price and Extras

(4.5/5)

In the already crowded 3-row midsize SUV segment, the 2023 Subaru Ascent has established a reputation for offering great features and driving demeanor all while being reasonably priced.

Market Price

The 2023 Subaru Ascent comes in four trim levels—Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring. Among these, the Premium trim happens to be the most value-for-money option with standard features like heated front seats and wi-fi hotspot. Apart from the base trim, all other variants come with an optional 7-passenger setup.

Trim Level Market Price 
Base $35,120
Premium $37,720
Limited $42,820
Touring $49,420

AWD/FWD

All-wheel drive is the standard setup across all trim levels.

Warranty 

Every Subaru Ascent is backed by a basic warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, drivetrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles, rust warranties of 5 years or 60,000 miles, along with roadside assistance for 3 years or 36,000 miles.

Extras

The vehicle has a maximum towing capacity of 5000 pounds.

Verdict

The 2023 Subaru Ascent proves to be a commendable and reliable family SUV that offers a smooth and enjoyable ride. Its extensive safety features provide peace of mind to passengers. The justified price tag makes it a value-for-money option in the competitive market.

However, potential buyers should be aware of its engine noises, which may be bothersome to some. Additionally, while the Ascent enjoys popularity as a 3-row SUV, the third row lacks the spaciousness required for accommodating adult passengers comfortably.

Ultimately, whether the Subaru Ascent is a good purchase or not depends on individual preferences and priorities. If you prioritize a family-friendly vehicle with strong safety features and are content with a limited third-row space, the Ascent can be a solid choice. As always, it’s crucial to consider these aspects in light of your unique needs and preferences before making a final decision.