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.
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.
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.
rebeccadrives
-ON HIATUS-
2019 Toyota Prius Limited
model. 2019 Toyota Prius
price. $33,130 (incl $930 dest)
as tested. $34,435
seating/style. 5-pass/4-door hatch
powertrain. 1.8L 4-cylinder engine and hybrid Synergy Drive System
transmission:
driveline. FWD, AWD available
fuel economy. 54/50/52
available. now
also shop: Honda Insight, Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq
The Toyota Prius may not be the original hybrid (hello, 1899 Porsche) but it’s now ubiquitous. The Prius debuted in the U.S. in 2000 and has gone through many iterations. The current one is the most highly styled (for better or worse) and is arguably one of the best.
The Prius is all about fuel economy resulting in small compromises. The seat cushions are not very cushy so long drives are taxing. Road, tire, and wind noise intrudes into the cabin while you cruise by many, many gas stations. While this Prius is quieter, it’s still not exactly a cocoon.
The instrument panel on the Prius is in the middle of the dash, ideal for a vehicle that serves left and right-hand drive markets but takes some getting used to. The infotainment system is served through a center-stack touchscreen easily accessible to front-seat occupants.
The ride, handling, and driving experience of the Prius is more practical than emotional. The steering is adequate, the ride fairly smooth. Transitioning back and forth between the four-cylinder engine and the hybrid system is nearly transparent. All-wheel-drive is a welcome addition for cold-weather climes. Pick up a Prius for access to special lanes and parking.
