2019 Subaru Ascent

The Ascent can be had in a total of 4 trim levels that are generously spaced out. The 4 trims, namely; Base, Premium, Limited and Touring start at $31,995 and max out at a reasonable $ 44,695. Since all of the trims comes with the same powertrain under the hood, it is for the consumer to decide, how much cash they want to splash on bells and whistles!

Which Trim should you buy?

When looking at the entire spread for the 2019 Ascent, it becomes pretty evident that Subaru has stuffed generous kit in each and every variant which therefore makes it tougher for the end consumer to decide which variant to go for. Although, all the price jumps between the trims are very well justified, we do believe that the Premium trim offers just the right balance of features and sensibility. With a host of added conveniences over the base model, the Premium only commands a mere $2,000 premium for features such as Push Button Start, Second Row Captain Seats, Powered Liftgate amongst the most notable. 

In typical Subaru fashion, the 2019 Subaru Ascent is powered by a 2.4 L Turbo Boxer 4 Pot which produces a justifiable 260 bhp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Although the engine can appear to be a little crude when under load, it still is one of the better offerings in the segment. The standard AWD system on the Ascent draws from all of Subaru’s strengths and learnings thereby being one of the more sophisticated systems in the segment.

The CVT Transmission that the Ascent comes equipped with might just be the only sore point of an otherwise robust powertrain since it lacks the oomph that one might want from a Subaru. Yes, the transmission isn’t bad per se as it is smooth and predictable, but the lack of control and the annoying rubber band effect could be a tad irritating.

The powertrain in its entirety certainly impresses with oodles of torque and power on tap, while, the 5000 pounds tow capacity coupled with the AWD system means that the weekend Overlanding trip wouldn’t even break a sweat.

The Honda Pilot might be the quickest to reach 60 and also crush the rest of the competition when it comes to quarter-mile times, but in this segment low-end power and useability trumps straight-line acceleration figures, which is why we do believe that the Ascent should be the pick of the lot as it’s turbo boxer develops great grunt down low which is very apparent when puttering about in the city.

How well does the 2019 Subaru Ascent handle?

For a vehicle of its size and caliber, the Subaru Ascent is mighty impressive when it comes to being one of the occupants. Even with its substantial 20-inch Alloy wheels, the Subaru manages to iron out most of the undulation on the road with ease while keeping vertical movement to a minimum. The behind-the-wheel experience is also praiseworthy as the progressive steering and agile nature of the Ascent makes you forget that it is a three-row family hauler after all.

The wind and road noise that creeps into the cabin could be a sore spot as it does meddle with an otherwise brilliant cabin experience but for the otherwise plush ride comfort, we wouldn’t mind granting the Ascent a pass. 

Braking Performance

Sporting some of the largest rotors in the cabin that are mated to an extremely linear feeling pedal, the Ascent does offer some of the best brakes in the segment. Yes, due to the high riding nature of this Subaru there is some expected nose-dive under panic braking but the Ascent does come to a halt with definitive confidence.

Modulating the brakes is also an extremely easy affair no matter if you are creeping in city traffic or ripping it open out on the highway.

The Explorer manages to trump all of its rivals when it comes to braking capabilities but we do have to mention that it does do so with the optional stickier tires. When viewed in isolation, all of the vehicles offer great stopping power and enough control to keep the driver calm even under emergency braking. 

The 126 feet stopping distance could be improved a little bit under all applications, the difference wouldn’t even be noticeable for the driver.

It is tough for vehicles of the Ascent’s caliber to be frugal for the most part as they do have an AWD system that sap some numbers and the heavier curb weights don’t help either. The CVT transmission on the Ascent though helps negate some of these stated effects and bump up the EPA numbers to a respectable figure. With a claimed 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg out on the highway, we are more than impressed with what the Ascent achieves as it does outperform most of its rivals when it comes to economy figures.

With the best EPA estimates and one of the larger fuel tanks on offer, the Ascent offers the best range amongst its peers with the Pilot trailing in a close second. If you are planning on taking your next vehicle on frequent road/overlanding trips, the Ascent should definitely be on top of your shopping list.

The cabin of the 2019 Subaru Ascent is definitely recognizable as a Subaru since it does borrow heavily from the Forester. Although the interior is no match for the level of luxury and quality that is offered by European counterparts, it does have a sense of simplicity around it which could be charming to some. The use of low-rent hard plastics is more obvious in the lower trims, but as we move up the hierarchal ladder, we do see the quality improve significantly. The clean dashboard layout and sorted ergonomics mean that being behind the wheel is a joyous experience.

The front seats prove to be adequately comfortable with just enough bolstering so as to not feel intrusive if you are a little on the chubbier end. The second-row captain seats that are available from the Premium trim and up are also worthy of praise and should be accommodating of most body types even on longer journeys. The third row could do with a tad more room, but Subaru has still managed to pack the third row well enough to be useful and not just increase the capacity on paper.

The Explorer definitely has an edge when it comes to hauling cargo but it does lose out on the ability to accommodate an additional passenger. The more spacious dimensions of the Explorer also add bonus points to an otherwise lukewarm interior design wherein the Subaru might just be the victor.

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Both the 6.5-inch Infotainment System that comes in as standard and the 8 Inch System available on higher trims fails to be as impressive as the rest of the cabin which is a bummer. Although both units come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the latter also sporting Subaru StarLink functionality, the overall user experience is genuinely subpar. The childish graphics and abrupt lag do leave a sour taste in your mouth even though the phone connectivity services work rather well.

The standard 6 speaker is up to the task for the most part but the optional 14 Speaker Harmon Kardon system is something that we would like to add into the options list if we were speccing one out.

Some of the more notable infotainment features are mentioned below:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment 
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• WiFi hotspot and Navigation
• 6 Speakers/14-speaker Harman-Kardon audio
• Four USB ports
• Subaru StarLink

The 2019 Subaru Ascent is definitely conservative when it comes to its exterior styling as it can appear to be a little too generic. It does sport some recognizably Subaru bits and pieces, but the overall design lacks any sort of flair. One can easily spot the similarities between the Ascent and the Outback with certain features of the Forester as well. The fact that Ascent lacks any real identity could put off some customers but most buyers in the segment care more about features and comfort than just simply looking good.

With a higher ground clearance than all of its peers and a more sophisticated AWD, the Subaru would take you places, where its competition, might struggle. Yes, it can appear to be a tad too generic in front of the Pilot or the Highlander, but when it comes to capability we would choose the Subaru any day of the week.

Some of the other exterior features that make the Subaru Ascent stand out are as follows:

• 20 Inch Alloy Wheels
• LED Headlights 
• LED Tailights
• LED Fog Lamps
• Roof Rails
• Chrome Accents

With a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + award from the IIHS, Subaru’s emphasis on safety while engineering the Ascent seems to have been thoroughly rewarded and we are mighty impressed. The fact that Ascent offers such a list of active features as standard on the Ascent is worthy of applause and for any consumer that has safety as their top priority, the Ascent is the way to go!

Some of the more notable active safety features on the Subaru Ascent are as follows:

• Automated Emergency Braking with Reverse Automated Braking
• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane Keep Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts
• Subaru StarLink Connected Services (Except the Base)

2019 Subaru Ascent vs 2019 Honda Pilot

Although the Pilot comes with a V6 under the hood as standard and Honda is well established in the space, the Ascent still manages to trump the Honda with a better low-end grunt as well as higher hauling capacity. Not only that, when it comes to taking the road less traveled, the Ascent offers higher ground clearance, better articulation, a more sophisticated AWD system, and somehow also better fuel economy!

It is therefore not even a competition between the two as the Ascent takes a clean sweep victory. 

2019 Subaru Ascent vs 2019 Ford Explorer

With a more powerful engine on offer and a tad bit better brakes, the Explorer can definitely appeal to the child inside of you, but when it comes to the overall package, we do feel that the Subaru offers more value for money as it is not just more frugal but also packs in better safety.

2019 Subaru Ascent vs 2019 Toyota Highlander

The tried and tested Highlander fails to feel appealing in front of the newly introduced Ascent that is a breath of fresh air. On the capability front, both the vehicles can feel identical, but when it comes to the in-cabin experience and above all, value for money, it is the Ascent that takes the cake!

The 2019 Subaru Ascent is every bit of a Subaru inside and out period. The practical and spacious cabin, decent fuel economy, praise-worthy motor, and high-end safety features make the Ascent a formidable contender in its space. If one is looking for a dependable and capable family hauler that is easy on the pocket but doesn’t compromise on comfort and features, the Subaru Redemption Card i.e. the Ascent is the vehicle for you!