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-
Hyundai Elantra GT N-Line
Hyundai Elantra GT N-Line
model. 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT N-Line
price. $24,230 (incl $930 dest)
as tested. $28,230 (incl dest)
seating/style. 5-pass/4-door hatch
powertrain. 1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder
transmission. 7-speed manual or DCT auto
driveline. FWD
fuel economy. 25 city/32 highway
available. now
words. Rebecca Lindland
visuals. courtesy of Hyundai
also shop.
The Elantra GT N-Line is a rarity in the market for two reasons: it comes only as a hatchback and comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission on purpose and not as a money-saving cop out. My test vehicle was a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, but it’s good to know the manual is out there.
The Elantra GT N-Line is the first of more N-Line models to come. It is very much a performance version of the Elantra, replacing the GT Sport in the lineup. The N-Line is more than just an appearance package though. It offers upgraded tires (on manual), improved aerodynamics, retuned shocks, tighter engine and transmission mounts, and a newly calibrated stiffer, more responsive steering experience.
Cruising with the N-Line is loads of fun, with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine offering plenty of responsive acceleration from a dead stop. That upgraded steering is noticeable through twists and turns, although the stiffer ride highlights potholes and rough roads. The dual-clutch tranny shifts smoothly and is a welcome change to the whiny CVTs dominating the market.
The N-Line has Hyundai Smart Sense advanced safety features, but spring for the $2,900 A/T tech package for even more goodies.
