rebeccadrives

2020 Subaru Ascent Limited

model. 2020 Subaru Ascent

price. $33,005 (incl $1,010 destination)

as tested. $43,305 (incl dest) Limited

top trim: $46,055 (incl dest) Touring

seating/style. 7-pass/4-door SUV

powertrain. 2.4L Turbocharged V-6, 260 hp

transmission. CVT with 8-speed manual mode

driveline. symmetrical AWD

towing: 5,000 pounds properly equipped

fuel economy. 20/26/22 city/highway/combined

available. now

also shop: Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade

2020 Subaru Ascent Limited

model. 2020 Subaru Ascent

price. $33,005 (incl $1,010 destination)

as tested. $43,305 (incl dest) Limited

top trim: $46,055 (incl dest) Touring

seating/style. 7-pass/4-door SUV

powertrain. 2.4L Turbocharged V-6, 260 hp

transmission. CVT with 8-speed manual mode

driveline. symmetrical AWD

towing: 5,000 pounds properly equipped

fuel economy. 20/26/22 city/highway/combined

available. now

also shop: Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade

2020 Subaru Ascent Limited

model. 2020 Subaru Ascent

price. $33,005 (incl $1,010 destination)

as tested. $43,305 (incl dest) Limited

top trim: $46,055 (incl dest) Touring

seating/style. 7-pass/4-door SUV

powertrain. 2.4L Turbocharged V-6, 260 hp

transmission. CVT with 8-speed manual mode

driveline. symmetrical AWD

towing: 5,000 pounds properly equipped

fuel economy. 20/26/22 city/highway/combined

available. now

also shop: Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade

Subaru’s first foray into the seven-seat mid-size SUV world is a good one, with the 2020 Ascent offering a roomy interior and appealing materials. Handsome exterior styling and an ergonomically friendly interior layout entice a second look.

Ingress and egress are effortless, even for my petite stature, and finding a comfortable seating position is straightforward. Large windows afford broad visibility with the drive height benefiting from nearly 9” of ground clearance.

Quality materials grace the Subaru Ascent’s cabin with the chocolate exterior and vanilla interior a delicious if impractical choice for a family or wearer of dark denim. The doors thunk when closing, and switches and levers are weighty. Cargo room is plentiful even with all the seats up.

On the road, the Subaru Ascent is a durable, well-balanced vehicle, with a sure-footed feel thanks in part to standard AWD and a quiet, well-insulated cabin. Road noise is kept to a minimum, even riding on 20” tires. The CVT engine complains on aggressive uphills and can shift too much on the descent, but overall acceleration is excellent for entering the highway or popping away from a stoplight.

The Subaru Ascent deserves consideration even in this crowded class of vehicles.

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mural: Skye Walker Encinitas, CA. picture: R. Lindland

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rebecca

I never remember a time I didn't know every car on the road. I've never met an SUV I could see over or a hood I didn't want to see under. I always want to be behind the wheel and in front of the pack. I have been in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years. I appear frequently on TV, in print and on the radio as an independent industry expert.

Follow me @rebecca_drives on Twitter and Instagram.