2020 Subaru Ascent Review
2020 Subaru Ascent buyers enjoy robust safety features and abundant cargo space. However, its third row space and powertrain leave much to be desired.
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What’s New For the 2020 Subaru Ascent?
In only its second year since its 2019 debut, the 2020 Subaru Ascent adds a standard Rear Seat Reminder alert. This alert aims to prevent drivers from leaving behind small children or items in the back seats with an audible alert and displayed message on the instrument panel. Additionally, Premium trims and higher feature one-touch controls for turning interior lights off and on. Subaru also added a vehicle lock button with its power liftgate, as well as electronic-folding exterior mirrors with built-in turn signals to the top-level Touring trim.
Considering a new Subaru Ascent? Read our 2022 Subaru Ascent review.
The Breakdown
Versatile 3 row SUV
Standard AWD
Lots of standard safety features
Third row is easily accessible
Limited cargo space behind third row
Throttle response is somewhat aggressive
2020 Ascent Specs
- 260 horsepower from base engine
- 277 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 153.5 cu-ft of passenger volume
- 5,000-lb towing capacity
- Rearview camera
- Heated front seats
- 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
2020 Subaru Ascent Powertrain
The 2020 Subaru Ascent boasts a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. This power enables towing of up to 5,000-pounds when properly equipped, which is the largest amount of any Subaru model. The Ascent’s standard all-wheel-drive system is made possible by a stepped continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed gears.
For a 4,603-lb. SUV, the acceleration is somewhat disappointing on initial throttling, however, the turbocharging kicks in to provide a noticeable measure of middle thrust. This lag in turbo response is noticeable in the frequent starts and stops in city traffic.
Towing & Payload
The Ascent base trim can tow up to 2,000 pounds. For Premium trims and higher, the towing capacity jumps up to 5,000-pounds when properly equipped making the Ascent the largest tower of any Subaru model. Ascent SUVs are able to pull camper trailers and even speedboats.
2020 Subaru Ascent Fuel Economy & MPG
While Subaru doesn’t offer the 2020 Ascent in front-wheel-drive or hybrid powertrain models, it still manages to have better than average EPA highway and city fuel economy. That being said, competitors such as the Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse are more fuel efficient based on independent road tests even though they have lower ratings from the EPA. This could be the result of using a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine to power a large SUV rather than a 6-cyclinder engine.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The interior of the 2020 Subaru Ascent features an inviting aesthetic that is both comfortable and practical as it can seat up to seven or eight passengers. Interior controls feature conveniently located knobs and buttons that allow easy adjustment of interior conditions. Passengers enjoy 3-zone climate control on all Ascent trims, as well as a panoramic moonroof and heated seats for higher trims. Seat coverings come in cloth, spill-resistant cloth, or leather depending on trim. Apple CarPlay is standard for all trims.
Families and larger parties appreciate the option of a third row that is easy to enter because the doors open wide and offer a low step for convenient support. In the third row there’s ample knee room for kids, but adults will find this row rather cramped unless someone in the second row is willing to slide their seat forward.
Rear seats in the Ascent fold nearly flat allowing for an amazing 86 cubic feet of cargo. To put that into perspective, it’s more cargo capacity than the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, and Honda Pilot. Access to the cargo area features a wide opening, which makes loading much easier, plus a power liftgate is available for the Limited and Touring trims.
Want to learn more about other types of SUVs? Check out our overview on Subaru Outbacks.
Entertainment & Technology
The 2020 Subaru Ascent features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even a 4G LTE mobile hotspot on higher trims. Large icons make the touchscreen easy to use and the processing speed on the touch response is fast. The Touring trim includes the top version of Subaru’s Starlink infotainment. This 8-inch touchscreen uses smartphone-style functionality including swiping and two-finger zooming.
Safety Features
The 2020 Subaru Ascent received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Ascent has a comprehensive safety system provided by its EyeSight suite of technologies. This includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning with lane keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Premium trims and higher also have blind spot monitoring systems with rear cross-traffic alerts, reverse automatic braking, and headlamps that swivel as you steer so you can see around corners in the dark.
Are you wanting more features? Here are 10 Must Have Car Features in 2021.
2020 Subaru Ascent Trims & Pricing
Base – $31,995
A turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive are standard across all trims. The base Ascent trim includes a second-row bench seat, as well as many tech and safety features. These features include a 6.5-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports, Bluetooth, tri-zone automatic climate control, a six-speaker stereo, alloy wheels, a rearview camera, and Subaru’s EyeSight suite of safety features. The EyeSight suite includes a pre-collision warning and braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, sway warning, pre-collision throttle management, and a head-up display.
Interested in a Subaru Ascent, but have a small budget? Check out more information on budget buys here.
Premium – $34,395
The Premium trim includes all of the features of the base trim plus an 8-inch touch screen (instead of 6.5 inches), a Wi-Fi hot spot, heated front seats, second-row climate controls, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and lane change assistance.
Limited – $39,345
The Limited trim includes all features of the base and Premium trims plus leather seats, heated second-row outboard seats, heated steering wheel, additional power features for the front seats, two additional USB ports, proximity keyless entry, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a power liftgate.
Touring – $45,045
The Touring trim includes all features of the base, Premium, and Limited trims plus a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, panoramic moonroof, navigation, ventilated front seats, captain’s chairs for the second row, a front-view monitor, a rear camera mirror, and additional styling elements.
Are you curious if there are other used Subaru SUVs? Learn more about the 2020 Subaru Outback.
Warranties
Subaru’s certified pre-owned program covers vehicles five years old or less and with 80,000 miles or less. For vehicles in the program, Subaru extends the original new-car powertrain warranty to seven years from the original sale date or 100,000 miles.
What we think
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While the 2020 Subaru Ascent is undeniably a strong competitor in the family SUV category, we don’t consider it a class leader among three-row crossover SUVs. In our opinion, the Honda Pilot is more powerful, more fuel efficient, and offers a smoother drive. Also, the Volkswagen Atlas offers superior third-row comfort and cargo space compared to the Ascent. Nonetheless, the 2020 Subaru Ascent offers many desirable features and capabilities and is a vast improvement upon the Tribeca.
