The 2019 Ascent showcases the performance, reliability, - 2019 Subaru Ascent Review
0After 40,000 miles, Subaru's three-row Ascent crossover earns satisfactory marks but has room to improve.
40,000-Mile Wrap-Up
Some things need to happen. If you're an automaker nowadays and you don't have a three-row SUV in your lineup with seating for more than five people, you're in a tough spot. That was Subaru's case not too long ago, and it needed a larger vehicle to keep Subaru intenders who had outgrown their Foresters and Outbacks from having to defect to other brands that already offered more capacious crossovers. That vehicle also would need to be superior to Subaru's last three-row attempt, the unsightly and not-quite-large-enough Tribeca. The new-for-2019 Ascent addressed those needs effectively.
HIGHS: Reasonably quick, spacious three-row cabin, generous standard active-safety gear.
Pricing for the 2019 Ascent started at an affordable $32,970. We wanted the full experience, though, so we procured our long-term example in the fully loaded Touring trim level, complete with Crimson Red Pearl paint and a Java Brown leather interior. In this top-spec model, the Ascent is well equipped with a panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, faux-wood trim, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, we couldn't resist the add-ons that would make the most of our Subie, such as a trailer hitch ($499), roof-rack crossbars ($201), and all-weather floor mats ($132). The as-tested tally: $46,743, which is still comfortably below the high end of the segment.
One key point of interest with Subaru's big crossover is the 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four under its hood. Because it's a Subaru devoid of any sporting pretentions, torque is routed to all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Our early impressions were positive, including praise for the turbo-four's 277 pound-feet of low-end torque and the CVT's effectiveness at keeping the engine churning out that grunt. But as the miles stacked up, those initial cheers faded. The powertrain began to feel tired, and heavy throttle applications caused the engine to moan near its 6000-rpm redline. Upon its return visit to the test track at 40,000 miles, the Ascent hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is competitive for its segment but 0.3 second slower than when it was new. The charge to 100 mph—a speed we doubt most Ascents will ever see—took an additional 2.0 seconds.
LOWS: Overzealous driver-assistance warnings, mushy CVT drivetrain, sloppy handling.
Subaru may have embraced the CVT, but we can't help but wonder if it's time for it to move on, what with the bounty of excellent multi-speed automatics on the market today. Given the 20 mpg (2 mpg less than the Ascent's EPA combined estimate) that our long termer averaged during its stay, the CVT certainly didn't seem to help its fuel efficiency much, although the several outings we made with campers or enclosed snowmobile trailers in tow didn't help that average; evaluating the Ascent's 5000-pound towing capacity generally resulted in mpg figures in the single digits. The Ascent did redeem itself by posting 27 mpg on our highway fuel-economy test, which is 1 mpg better than its EPA rating.
Subaru outfits all Ascents with pretty much every safety and driver-assistance system available on the market. While the smorgasbord of electronic security blankets worked as intended, the sheer amount of noise they produce was one of our greatest gripes with our long termer. Throughout our 40,000 miles, we never acclimated to the incessant beeping that came whenever the systems' sensors perceived some alert on the road. Every time the adaptive-cruise-control detects a vehicle in the Ascent's path, you get a beep. If the vehicle ahead of you moves out of your lane, there's a beep. And if the object in front of you at a stop light moves and you're not ready? BEEP. Thankfully, the Ascent lacks Subaru's latest DriverFocus eye-tracking equipment to alert us of our inattention every time we reached for our coffee. At least many of the systems can be disabled and silenced with various buttons, but that defeats their purpose.
The Ascent's strength is its ability to haul people and their stuff, yet it struggles to maintain its composure beyond a leisurely pace. Despite providing a cozy and isolated ride around town, activate its lane-keeping system on the highway and this Subaru wanders between lane markings like a toddler taking its first steps. A yank of the steering wheel to deactivate the system reveals only a vague connection to the front wheels. But the steering also feels quicker in action than we'd like in a tall SUV. Combined with little resistance from the helm as you turn off center, every motion becomes an event, and every occupant will be wishing for a dose of Dramamine.
Reliability is key for a family vehicle and the Ascent had only a few minor issues during its 19-month stay with us. At 8000 miles, the first of our three unscheduled dealer visits occurred when we noticed a clunking