In a growing segment, Subaru’s largest three-row midsize SUV has a lot going for it. Its interior is roomy and well-designed, its turbo engine has the strength to tow and climb hills, and its safety suite earned an IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick+ rating.
That said, there are some downsides to the Ascent. For one, its CVT emits a whining noise under hard acceleration.
Driven: 2024
Subaru’s latest Ascent offers family-friendly versatility with impressive interior space, and it has top safety ratings and a world-class all-wheel drive system. Its only powertrain is a 260-hp turbocharged four-cylinder arranged in Subaru’s signature boxer engine configuration paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. This combo delivers middling acceleration and can be noisy under duress, but it’s powerful enough for confident highway merging and passing.
Every Ascent is available with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver assistance technologies, which includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control that maintains speed and distance from vehicles ahead. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic detection is also standard.
The Ascent’s standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and X-Mode with hill-descent control provide solid off-road capability. Its nimble driving dynamics make it an adept commuting SUV, and the quiet ride and spacious cabin add to its appeal for longer trips. However, second-row ingress and cargo room behind it aren’t as generous as some rivals. The Ascent is also lacking in advanced infotainment features and a traditional automatic transmission.
Exterior
If you are in the market for a three-row SUV, the Ascent is worth a close look. Its latest refresh brings the SUV into the modern styling era and enhances its suite of safety, infotainment and convenience tech.
The Ascent is also a safe choice, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But the droning of its engine under acceleration, poor passing power, and an infotainment system that tends to be overly attentive (like it’s constantly reminding you to check your side-view mirrors), limit its competitiveness.
All Ascents use a 2.4-liter, turbocharged Subaru Boxer engine paired to a Lineartronic CVT. This setup accelerates quickly enough for a family hauler, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Fold down the Ascent’s rear seats, and you’ll have access to 72.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Adding a second row elevates that to 27.3 cubes, while a power-operated liftgate opens up 17.8 cubes behind the front seats. You can also get a panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system as you climb the trim ladder.
Interior
Subaru enjoys one of the most loyal owner bases in the industry, and the 3-row Ascent offers practicality and value to its owners. Its roomy cabin has seating for seven or eight people, depending on configuration, and all trim levels come standard with all-wheel drive. It also boasts impeccable safety ratings and an impressive list of advanced driver assistance features.
A 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen dominates the dashboard and runs Subaru’s proprietary Starlink infotainment system. The interface isn’t as intuitive as some of the competition’s, but it provides a deep menu of features and allows you to customize how much information you want displayed on the screen. The system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I’m a fan of the optional surround-view camera, which uses front and rear cameras to provide a birds-eye view of your surroundings.
Under the hood, a turbocharged 2.4-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine makes 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. It delivers satisfying acceleration and enough power for confident highway merging and passing. A continuously variable automatic transmission pairs with the engine to send power to all four wheels.
Safety
The 2024 Subaru Ascent comes well-equipped with today’s most popular safety features and boasts impressive crash test ratings from industry organizations. This three-row SUV is also designed for family adventures with a power rear liftgate, roof rails and multiple cargo configurations to accommodate your passengers and gear.
Even the base model is equipped with Subaru EyeSight driver assist technology including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and sway detection, pre-collision braking, and pedestrian detection. Higher trims offer more driver assistance systems, such as DriverFocus that monitors your eyes for distractions, and Reverse Automatic Braking that senses objects behind you as you back out of parking spaces.
Compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander, VW Atlas and Kia Telluride, the Ascent offers better fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Additionally, the Ascent’s powerful yet efficient powertrain is capable of towing 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. This means you can take your weekend camping trip with the kids in tow without worrying about the impact on your wallet. Plus, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that a vehicle with top safety ratings provides.
Technology
The 2024 Ascent comes with a suite of technology that works to make driving easier. Its EyeSight safety system acts as a co-pilot, giving you features like pre-collision braking and lane-departure warning. There’s also adaptive cruise control, which is easy to use and has settings to adjust for your comfort level.
All Ascent models come with Subaru’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, which provides you with a reliable performance regardless of the weather conditions. In fact, it even enables you to tackle light off-road terrain with ease.
The Ascent offers seating for up to eight passengers across three rows. Its spacious cabin is designed for families that need to transport passengers and cargo on a regular basis. Its practicality is further enhanced by numerous storage solutions and a power rear liftgate. The Ascent also has decent fuel economy for a family SUV. It gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with its 260-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That’s enough to tow a trailer or haul your favorite gear for outdoor adventures. The Ascent’s advanced cabin also comes with cutting-edge technology like the available Cabin Connect intercom feature that lets you communicate with rear-seat passengers without turning around.