Motor Trend - USA (2020-09)

can do rudimentary math. That is more

than a one-year loan. But the vehicle

experienced an extraordinary number of

ailments and spent months at the dealer-

ship. So this is a sordid tale of a potentially

solid vehicle that had an unimaginable

series of things go wrong.

My long-term loan started with much

promise: an Ascent Limited in Cinnamon

Brown Pearl with a cream and black

interior and supportive leather seats that

take the fatigue out of long trips. The

Ascent was the first Subaru to get the new

2.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged

flat-four engine. With 260 hp and 277

lb-ft of torque, it provided ample power,

helping the Ascent run the quarter mile

in 15.2 seconds, better than a Volkswagen

Atlas and Toyota Highlander with V-6s

under their hoods. The continuously

variable transmission mimics eight gear

shifts, so many won’t even know it is

a CVT. Standard paddles allow down-

shifting for engine braking, and they

worked well on a long hill in northern

Michigan. The four-corner independent

suspension proved it was up to the chal-

lenges of rough Michigan roads.

Our seven-passenger model had

captain’s chairs in the second row. The

interior is wide and spacious with plenty

I

was excited to spend a full year

with Subaru’s largest crossover, the

three-row Ascent, which rides on the

same new global architecture as the rest

of a strong lineup. I had been the first

journalist in North America to drive a

prototype of the eight-passenger vehicle

during development. I spent a day tooling

around a curvy route in Michigan, pleased

with the ride capabilities that had me

increasing my speed as my confidence

in the handling built. My impressions

were validated when I drove a Toyota

Highlander on the same loop and had to

cut my speed to keep it on the road and

the body roll to a minimum.

We took possession of a 2019 Ascent

Limited on October 24, 2018, with

15 miles on the odometer. It left on a

dreary Monday in March, after almost

17 months and 22,526 miles. Yes, we

of room for passengers and their gear. All

seats recline, and the second-row sliding

mechanism is smooth and easy to work.

Grab handles on the top of the captain’s

chairs aid access to the third row. Base

price for our Limited is $39,970—compet-

itive with the segment—and we bumped

that up to $43,551 with a $2,950 options

package (including a Harman Kardon

stereo upgrade), $132 all-weather floor

liners, and a $499 trailer hitch.

There are power outlets, Wi-Fi, eight

USB ports, and ledges for phones, and it’s

compatible and easy to pair with Apple

CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately,

the system does not recognize a second

iPhone in another USB jack. The only

alternative is to plug the second device

into an auxiliary jack. Having the lone

12-volt socket mounted deep in the cubby

above the center console makes it difficult

to install and use a 110-volt inverter for

powering a laptop. The best cockpits place

another 12-volt socket somewhere more

accessible and/or include a 110-volt outlet

that negates the need for the inverter.

The Ascent can tow 5,000 pounds, and

with the $499 trailer hitch I had no

problem using it to launch a fishing boat.

Trailer stability assist kept trailer sway to

a minimum, but there is no trailer assist

for backing up. Subaru’s Symmetrical

All-Wheel Drive system was barely chal-

lenged launching the boat, so we took the

Ascent to an off-road park for a workout.

Hill Descent and X-Mode reduced wheel

slip, and with 8.7 inches of ground clear-

ance, the Ascent drove up, over, or through

all the obstacles, including some steep

hills and boulders.

The Eyesight driver assist system with

dual cameras let us down. First it was the

annoying beep as the vehicle’s eyes locked

on cars and obstacles. After we turned the

sound off, I could better appreciate its

78 MOTORTREND.COM SEPTEMBER 2020

Subaru's largest vehicle offers lots of room

for passengers and gear, with comfortable

seats and easy access to the third row.

“It’s difficult to

evaluate a vehicle

when it spends so

much time at the

dealership. When

the Ascent works,

it’s a quality SUV.”

Alisa Priddle

Service life 16 mo/22,490 mi
Avg Econ/CO2 20.9 mpg/0.93 lb/mi

Base price $39,970 As tested $43,551

*IntelliChoice data; assumes 42,000 miles

at the end of three years

SPECS Options 7-Passenger Tech

package ($2,950: Starlink nav, panoramic

moonroof, premium sound); Trailer hitch

($499); All-weather floormats ($132)

Problem Areas Body electronics

Maintenance cost $0 (oil change,

inspection, tire rotation)

Normal-Wear Cost $1,707.77 (windshield

replacement, body work)

3-Year Residual Value* $33,800

Recalls None

Verdict: 2019 Subaru Ascent

MT GARAGE