It's hard not to like the Subaru Ascent. It boasts standard all-wheel drive, space for up to eight passengers, and an abundance of standard safety and driver assistance features such as automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control as well as a 260-horsepower engine. But the Ascent is in a tough market, facing top selling entries like the Ford Explorer, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and the Toyota Highlander. Does it have what it takes to compete? Let's look at the 2024 Subaru Ascent.
The Ascent is the largest vehicle Subaru makes. Out since 2019, it is built in America and is sold solely for the American market, just like its predecessor, the Tribeca was. Last year saw the Ascent receive a refresh with a revised front end. For 2024, the Ascent continues unchanged.
Climb inside the Ascent and a very accommodating cabin greets its passengers. Like most of the competitors, Subaru gives buyers a choice of a second row 60/40 split bench seat to sit 3 passengers, or a pair of captain's chairs. Both styles can slide fore and aft to
allow for greater comfort. Pull a lever and the middle seat folds and slides out of the way to allow access for the third row. Third row comfort is surprisingly well - although legroom is dependent on how nice the occupants in the second-row seats are and how far they have their seat pushed back. Overall, the cabin of the Ascent is spacious and very useful with storage cubbies and cupholders abound.
The dash and center console are typical Subaru: simple and easy to use, but hardly cheap. Every Ascent uses an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen system that is straightforward in design and ease-of-use and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility.
The Ascent is available in six different trim levels. The base gets 18-inch wheels, a three-zone climate control system and seating for eight. Move up to the Premium and seven seating becomes available along with a power driver's seat and heated front seats. The Onyx Edition gets some exterior enhancements with a black grille and other blacked out trim along with 20-inch wheels and a power liftgate. The Onyx Edition also gets an upgraded all-wheel drive system. The Onyx Edition Limited builds on that by adding driver's seat memory, power passenger seat, a better sounds system by way of Harmon Kardon and a 360-degree surround view camera. If you want leather in your Ascent, the Limited is the way to go. At the top of the chain is the Touring, which gets ambient interior lighting, power folding mirrors and automatic wipers.
Pop the hood of any Ascent and you will find a typical Subaru powerplant - a turbocharged flat 2.4 liter four-cylinder that generates 260 horsepower and 277 ft-lbs of torque. The transmission is the CVT type, so no gears, and like all other Subarus (sans the BRZ), every Ascent is all-wheel drive. Except for the X-Mode button which optimizes the all-wheel drive system, the all-wheel drive system goes unnoticed in daily driving, yet delivers year-round confidence - so when the driving weather conditions take a turn for the worse, it will always be there for you.
The base Ascent starts right under $36,000 with the top-of-the-line Touring model tips out right over the $50,000. The tester is an Onyx Edition Limited and carries with it a price tag of $48,031.
Power from the engine is adequate - but it can be tricky to manage at first. The throttle is very sensitive, so even the slightest press on the gas makes the Ascent leap forward, making smooth take-offs a bit challenging. The steering also feels oversensitive. After the initial few miles go by, both become non-issues. In normal driving, the Ascent feels fine, but have it do something out of the norm, like passing vehicles on the freeway or take a turn quickly, and the Ascent makes it known that it is out of its comfort zone.
When put up against the competition, the Ascent holds its own, although there is no standout feature that puts it over the top of the others. One advantage that the Ascent does have is its standard all-wheel drive feature. With the others you'll have to decide if you want/need all-wheel drive - with the Ascent, that decision is made for you - you will get it.
The Ascent doesn't sell in big numbers like the Forester and Outback. But Subaru owners here in the U.S. love their vehicles - they are one of the most loyal groups out there. And when the time comes for them to move into something larger - something with a third-row seat, they no longer need to look outside the Subaru family - instead the Ascent will be there.