The three-row 2022 Subaru Ascent will appeal to the brand's fans, especially those with a growing family. Every version of the mid-size crossover is equipped with numerous driver assists, including adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Unfortunately, the largest Subaru also has a four-cylinder engine and a gearless transmission (a.k.a. a CVT) that can be a slow and noisy tandem at highway speeds. The Ascent has a cushy ride and is available with highly configurable second-row captain's chairs, but its third row is smaller than some rivals.
Engine Performance
With the company's trademark all-wheel-drive system, the Ascent is well suited for four-season family road trips. Its 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder powertrain delivers middling acceleration and can be noisy under duress, but it'll pull a camper trailer or speedboat. While the Subaru's continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) contributed to a noisy ride during our test, the gearless gearbox was otherwise receptive and steady. Its throttle response was particularly abrupt at low speeds around town. The Ascent even has paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel for those who want more control over the transmission. The Subaru has a comfortable ride that isolated us from rough surfaces. It wore 20-inch wheels but still rode smoothly over bumpy roads and soaked up harsh impacts. Unfortunately, we noticed a lot of wind and road noise while cruising on the highway. While the Subaru lacks the fun-to-drive nature found on the Mazda CX-9, the sizable three-row was nicely composed. Its light and accurate steering responded to quick maneuvers and felt relaxed at higher speeds.
Fuel
The Ascent is expected to earn 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Those who select the top-tier Limited and Touring models will lose 1 mpg in both categories. Still, the Ascent has above-average EPA estimates and confirmed the latter in our 200-mile real-world test. The top-of-the-line Ascent Limited earned 26 mpg on our route, matching its EPA highway rating. However, rivals such as the Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot proved to be even more efficient despite having lower government ratings.
Price
Base $33,470
Premium $35,920
Limited $40,720
Touring $46,570
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