Used 2019 Subaru Ascent Consumer Reviews
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Previously Always Ford Now Subaru Ascent
The inside roominess and comfort of the captain's chairs is very nice. The driver seat bottom extender great feature for better seat comfort especially if your taller. The leather is nicely done augmented by a very good fit and finish throughout the vehicle. I purchased the Touring trim that includes all safety related tech, lighting and was very happy the Ascent earned IIHS 2019 top safety pick+. Its IIHS's current top award reinforcing my gut reaction Subaru has done a fantastic job on the Ascent. If snow and ice are a concern then AWD touring trim stock tires with common sense also make it a great choice. My Ascent in snow and ice has been well behaved and confidence inspiring. Gas mileage has not been as good but its a 4,600lbs midsize SUV and the turbo four cylinder has a torque curve making it feel like a six cylinder. Highway passing etc. not an issue.
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Sour Lemon
We purchased this vehicle because this is our fourth Subaru… We’ve been waiting for this model. We test drove it, we loved it, we bought it! After a month of driving it, we went to the beach, several hours later we got in the car and ALL the dashboard lights were on. We reviewed the manual and it didn’t mention what to do if all the lights come on. So we took it to the gas station and checked all the fluids and topped off the gas. We drove for about 20 min and shut the car off and turned it back on and the system reset. Fast forward 3 weeks and it did it again the following day took it in. Was informed that it is most likely the main wiring harness. I’ve alerted them that I don’t want the vehicle back until this issue is fully resolved because electrical issues have a tendency to be persistent and can wax and wane. Was reassured all would be well. I must confess my wife and I would rather just swap out for another new model for peace of mind. Especially concerning I will be undergoing major medical chemo & radiation treatments in the next week. And this is our new vehicle. They were kind to lend us a loaner but frankly anything short of perfection or replacement is what we feel is true and right. Fast forward to 2020 - the sunroof cracked, the transmission needed totally replaced, air conditioning went out while on vacation, needed a main refrigeration line replacement and recharge, a faulty battery and all Falken tires needing replaced due to tread wear in the middle of the tire worn out at less than 25k miles. So read that all again! We purchased this vehicle because it was to be Subaru reliability worthy & we purchased the touring edition only to be a riding Lemon! This is our 4th Subaru! I am now reluctant to purchase another anytime soon.
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- Premium 4dr SUV w/8-PassengerMSRP: $19,99098 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUV w/7-Passenger Technology PkgMSRP: $25,59098 mi away
- Premium 4dr SUV w/7-Passenger Convenience PkgMSRP: $25,99098 mi away
Sweet Ride!
Smooth, quiet ride. A few minor tweaks need to be taken care of at the first “check-up”. The ventilated front seat motor makes a really loud noise. The drivers side doesn’t, so we know there is a malfunction. Love the car!
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Worst car i have ever owned!
so im a car guy and i dont think im unreasonable here. We own a 2019 subaru ascent premium and it is honestly the worst car we have ever owned!!! We have had this car in the shop for : constant trasnmission slipping , vibration and hanging up in gears ( cvt transmission with simulated shift points….) , engine stuttering on cold starts, transmission squealing when put in gear, brakes and rotors prematurely wearing out at 10k miles, the glass in the moon roof started to bubble between the layers and the whole moon roof was replaced, back arm rests get stuck down, all the lights ( inside and out) dim at night time if you turn the wheel , lift gate gets stuck closed or open and the car beeps till you pull fuse #14 under the dash or disconnect the battery, broken windshield ( overnight in garage and i contacted nhsta about it ) , struts make squeek when hitting bumps while wheel is turned and the car makes a loud humming noise when turning to the left if the wheel is turned all the way. Im sure there is more and i have brought it to the dealer many times. I have contacted subaru multiple times and can honestly say they are very responsive but have bot made this car right. I was so disappointed with this car k was willing to trade it in and lose money just to get rid of it ( wife would not let me) . This car is such a lemon im leaving subaru and going to a more reliable brand of vehicles! This is the worst car i have ever owned!!!
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Dangerous - Do not buy a 2019
We purchased the car in January 2019 as a new family car (family of seven). Given the Edmunds and CR reviews of Subaru and knowing many Subaru owners, we were excited to get our new car and have many years of service out of it. Our initial optimism was soon worn away. Gas mileage never met Subaru advertised numbers. The vehicle is rated at 21/27 with 23 combined. We average 19. I know EPA numbers are estimates, but over 16 cars owned by my wife and I always get the EPA combined almost on the dot, even with turbo cars (VW and Audi). The engine whines. It is embarrassing to start the engine next to someones Pilot or Highlander that make real engine noises starting, it just sounds cheap. The CVT transmission is awful. We had the update from Subaru, and that made drivability better, but not the smoothness or refinement you'd expect in a $43k car. If you are going to make a CVT, then make a good one. Don't try to produce one with fake 'gears' to get buyers. It lurches, hangs too long in 'gears' (which contributes to the bad fuel economy) and occasionally surges up and down. My Audi settles to 1700 rpm at 65 MPH with a 2.0L turbo in about the same weight car, the Subaru is always north of 2200-2400 rpm at the same speed. Interior room is good, plenty of room for five kids (ages 10-19) and about three small suitcases behind third row. Entry/exit is easy to all rows. Seats fold easily. Front seats are comfy on long, long drives (I've done 18 hours straight and I have back issues) easily. Nice bolsters on seats if car handled better. The interior is the only good point to this car, and was a principle reason we bought it to begin with. Handling is terrible. Car floats and bobs. You NEVER feel connected to the road. We live in 100-200 inch of snow per year territory, and have owned an array of Jeeps, Audis, VWs, and a Ford. ALL had better 'feel' and confidence in snowy conditions. We run snow tires religiously. The Subaru never does anything bad, it just never feels connected or confident. My last Jeep GC and my Q5 feel like they can do anything in deep snow, ice or slush. The GC made it through our recent 60" dump of snow in 2018. The Ascent doesn't inspire confidence. Infotainment is so-so. USB plug does not charge/connect properly. We've gone through 12 new cords of all 'high quality' types from Amazon. They work for a couple weeks, then start having issues. There is no way to control who's phone has priority (my Audi records by the key used). Navigation is average, and somewhat cartoonish. You are given the choice of several routes, which is better than my Audi. Forget using it while driving. All manufacturers should have a passenger override (it detects a passenger for the airbag, why not let the car know someone else is using the nav?). Now the really bad: At 6k miles the car went in for an issue where EVERY light on the dash and EyeSight system came on. No ABS, no stability control, no nothing. Car is in 100% limp mode with no safety features at all. Took the car in and they reset it, and said nothing was wrong. One week later it was back. They took the car again for a week and supposedly had a Subaru Engineer look at it. Got the car back and 5k later, same problem. Meanwhile we were going in every six months for recalls (transmission, wiring harness, etc.). Now the last straw: We were about to leave for a 400 mile family trip, and the car had the same issue, except this time it shut off the power steering!!! Any car that shuts off steering is dangerous. If this had happened on a mountain road, or a freeway curve we might have had a crash (the ABS and stability control are also shut off when this problem occurs). The car was driving fine the day before, with no issues. Now we have a brick. Subaru should NEVER have integrated EVERY SYSTEM through a flawed 1st-generation run of a car. Engine issues should throw a CE light, braking issues a brake error light, and steering issues should never happen. Now if you have so much as a loose gas cap, the car decides to shut everything off until you go to a dealer to discover what the problem is. Last beef, tires are expensive. Not many manufacturers (especially winter tires) have selection in this size. Subaru needs to give owners the option of 18" wheel/tire on upper trim levels for regions with snow, potholes and rough roads. One of our loaner Ascents had the 18" wheels, and it drove 100% better than ours. Funny, you'd figure the bob/float I mentioned would get worse with higher sidewall tires, but I think it is a match with the suspension issue (too stiff wheel/tire with a supple suspension). We are done with the car. As soon as this issue is temporarily resolved, we're selling the car. The Toyota Highlander looks good to us at this point, even though we will be losing the interior room. At least we know it will be safe and reliable.
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Transmission sucks!
Well I was debating buying Toyota 4 runner or Subaru Ascent. I thought to go with Ascent because the inside was so much more luxury and was a bit better on gas. I'm very sad to say that I wish I would of chose the 4 Runner. Granted I have owned 2 4runners and one of them I still have. They are very reliable but I also owned a Subaru Impreza that I traded in for the Ascent thinking it would be great just like my Impreza.. The transmission is terrible and very frustrating to drive knowing it shutters and can't decide what gear to go in when needing to shift. Have taken it in to get looked at and everything checks out, of course!. They say they will keep me updated with a computer update that should come soon but still nothing. Can't wait for a fix and if not I will be trading in after the lease is up. Please fix this Subaru, keep your reliable name!
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Long term reliability concerns
Update May 2024. 75,000 miles and still going strong. Vehicle has performed as one would expect. No issues. In for regular service- oil, filter and tire rotation. Made the mistake of looking at new cars. Stay tune for reports on the newest addition to our family. Update February 2022. The car still performs as expected. I do have concerns over the long term reliability since there is another CVT recall. Given some of the reports, I will have to take a wait and see attitude. Update February 2021. We’re at 30,000 miles. Still a very satisfying car to own. There a couple of recalls that the dealer quickly resolved. They provided a loaner while ours was in the shop. So thankful for the eyesight system on the Ascent as it has acted as an extra heads up. We took delivery in December 2018. We went on a road trip then vacation shortly after. Almost 5,000 miles on the vehicle. The fuel mileage was on low side at first, but now we are averaging around 20 mpg around town and 25-27 on the highway. Highway speed usually between 70-75 mph. Engine has plenty of power to merge and catch up with traffic on the interstate. We found the ride to be smooth and quiet. Very comfortable vehicle to drive. We use eyesight when on the road and around town. It has performed flawlessly. We compared it to several competitors and there wasn’t any debate in making our decision. We would definitely recommend.
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Lemon Lemon Lemon
After seven months, it had its first of several problems. The main problems have been electrical. We haven’t owned it for two years and the dealer was still trying to figure out the problem. They say it doesn’t fall in the lemon law guidelines and they don’t want to buy it back. Thank you Subaru for stealing my 9-11 first responder victim compensation money. As a sick woman with an autistic child I expected better from a billion dollar company. I expected the company to take back this crappy truck and give us one that works. I paid for a new truck and expected the truck to work. Subaru must feel great stealing my $50,000. To them $50,000 is a drop in a bucket. $50,000 to me is a fortune. I hope karma does justice.
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New to Subaru
Folks I am new to this company. Have always bought American. Still own a King Ranch 2015. This is my first SUV and the Ascent is beyond what I was expecting. Easy to get into and plenty of horsepower. Handles great and I have the Touring addition with everything on it. Still just 45.500. I would recommend to new or older generations.
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Comfy, very pleased
This is an awesome vehicle, it is comfortable, easy to enter the third row. Storage could be a little better, but for an SUV and not a mini van it is adequate. The drive is smooth and acceleration is quick. The cabin is quiet a little road noise but nothing loud or annoying odds are you won't notice it. Over all VERY satisfied with this SUV. Could not be more pleased with this purchase. Easy use of entertainment center. Buttons on the steering wheel are a life savior.
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Just Could Not Buy
Most of the dealers hyped everything about the Ascent. Yet, I knew more about the vehicle and its pros and cons than any of the sales staff I encountered. I wanted to buy, but the pre-ordering and projections of what customers want (colors-inside and out, packages and the lack of them, options, and factory installed vs dealer add-ons) seem awfully far off base. Heck, even at this time now pass the initial pent-up "first to own one" buying frenzy, there are lots and lots of vehicles in stock that NO ONE WANTS to spend $35-$40K on because these vehicles are over optioned, poorly optioned, and the needs and wants of various segments of the possible buyers HAVE BEEN ignored. And yes, you must remain immune to the old tactic of "tell the customer anything, but get them in the showroom to stoke their buyers fever" because it seems that is all the training Subaru sales staff receive. This has not been a positive experience.
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Extremely Happy with the Ascent
I was looking for a full size SUV to replace my GMC Crew Cab 4X4. We already have a 2018 Subaru Forrester and are very happy with it so I wanted to check out the New Ascent. Went to the dealership and looked over the various models. Took the Premium out for a Test Drive and that sealed the deal. We leased the Premium 7 passenger. The Interactive Cruise Control/Driver assist Tech is amazing. The front seats are the most comfortable and supporting on long trips that I have ever had. It did take a bit to get used to the accelerator with the Turbo Charger. We recently drove to palm Springs and back from San Jose. We were getting just under 23 MPG. Very comfortable and solid driving. We have not had any issues so far. I will be taking it in for the 6K mile checkup shortly. I would highly recommend that anyone looking for a full size 7-8 passenger SUV check out the Ascent
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2019 Subaru Ascent
This car is my second Subaru. We traded in our Forester because we need mor room, which we got. Only had the car a little over a month, so far my wife and I both love it.
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Terrible engine!!!!!!!!
So first time with a Subaru..we love the space in the Ascent, AWD is awesome, technology is great, big sunroof is a nice to have, good safety features..BUT..the engine is undersized and the gears on the way up don't make for a smooth ride...The Mazda CX-9 has a 4 cyl turbo which ( I hate to say it) blows this one away..even without sport mode engaged which the Ascent should develop for future models. As well, please tighten up the steering!! Way to loose!! Have read how this is a good thing in other posts but it is not!!!!!
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A test drive in the Ascent and a Highlander.......
Drove a Highlander with a moonroof with leather seats - very nice but really don't want leather! Drove a medium level Ascent - also very nice, but the color I wanted was only available with almond (really white) seats - also very nice but didn't want seats that would look grungy within a few weeks. Left the dealership, then went back and drove a higher level Ascent... it wowed me! Chrystal Black with gray interior - some almond color accents, which added to the wow factor! Higher priced then I wanted to pay, but that is the future of vehicles - only going up, not down... and the electronic technology scared me, with the rep telling me that with all that technology comes very expensive repair costs - which is also the future of buying a new vehicle. Dealer said they had already sold many Ascents (site unseen), but are behind with deliveries. (several deliveries came in while I was there and there were no Ascents on any of the trucks). I did put a deposit down (to hold the last one) and told them I would have a final decision in a few days!!!!! (Oh, I'm trading in a 2018 Forrester!!! - just wasn't happy with the "Barbie" car!) Back again - decided the 4 cylinder engine was not going to be "powerful" enough to move that vehicle efficiently, so back to the Highlander and a different dealership - that's another story!!!
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Love this car!!!!!
We are so happy with our car and Kenosha Subaru was the best experience we have ever had buying a car. Richard was fantastic at showing us how to use all the electronics and setting up our apps. Everyone from finance , service and management was fantastic. I would recommend this dealership in a heartbeat for any car purchases
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Great suv for the money
We really enjoy the car. Occasional glitch getting apple car play to come on, but overall a really great vehicle. I also feel the car is very comfortable on the road. Overall I would recommend this car.
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I'm 77 and have owned cars since I was 16, and...
THIS is my FAV CAR of all time! I've had Fords, Pontiacs, Chevys, and 2 Outbacks, but I look for excuses to go somewhere in this baby. 2019 Outback Ltd. - loaded, with full moonroof, 7 passenger with the "captains' chairs" in the 2nd row. A GREAT grandkid hauler! NIMBLE to drive on our Western NC mountain road up to our house with tights S-curves. The headlights even swing around the curve to light our way at night. Coudn't be more happy. Oh, and the 2.4 liter turbo is PEPPY! You have to learn how to drive it with a light foot starting up, or you'll LEAP forward with a Turbo-ROAR!
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Transmissions and Towing
Follow up at 8000 miles: My first impression is below, but I had 2 updates since it then. First, the bad news. The transmission bug struck me like it did so many other reviewers. At 7500 miles, I developed a stutter when reversing at low speeds, after the vehicle had warmed up (usually 10 to 20 minutes). Took it in, and within 3 days had a new transmission installed and rolling off the lot again, which I thought was pretty impressive. Might have been the timing of when the problem hit, but it didn't take the weeks I read in other reviews. The dealer told me the problem was a fluid pump inside the transmission that has been redesigned in the 2020 Ascent due to the issues, and the transmission installed is a 2020 version. Didn't cost anything due to the warranty and is still under the warranty of the car, so I'm hoping it won't be a problem. Took it on a 400 mile roundtrip while towing and didn't have any issues. Now for the good news on towing. I now have done a total of 3 towing trips, 2 of which involved mountain passes. I towed a 3200 lb dry, 22 ft travel trailer (full size, not pop up), and with water and cargo it pushes closer to 3800 lbs, and a tongue weight in the 420-500 lb range depending on the load out. With a family of 5 and a bit of cargo up front adding up to about 600 lbs of cargo, the Ascent handled the load well, though with a pretty big hit to mpg (goes from 27 mpg on the highway to something between 10-14 mpg). I could get started from a standstill on a hill with the full load, and generally could accelerate at highway speeds, though with some extra time needed as you would expect. I climbed from sea level to about 3000 ft on an interstate mountain pass, and was able to do so while maintaining 55 to 60 mph. The RPM's jump and hold a little over 3000 during that kind of towing, so if it's really warm out, you might have to slow down to ease the load a bit (it was between 70 and 80 when I was towing that pass). Engine Temp never budged from the mid range on the gauge, and the only issue I actually ran into was a Rear Differential Temperature light that came on when I climbed from 700 ft to about 4200 ft on another mountain pass on another highway section. It came on just as I reached the top of the pass, after I had been maintaining 3000 RPM's for some time, and about 45-50 mph speed, this time close to 80 degrees outside. I think the pass was steeper overall, and the manual actually recommends you not exceed 45 mph in really hilly or hot temperatures. I pulled over as the manual suggested, waited a few minutes for the light to go out, and drove on again, and the light hasn't come on again since. Did a similar steep pull from 600 to 2500 ft at or below 45 mph with no issues. Generally tows well down the highway without too much sway, which is good because Subaru recommends against installing any equalizer or anti-sway hitches, due to the built-in anti-sway sensors and correction system. Haven't towed in heavy winds, worst was 10-15 mph headwinds mostly. Did sway a bit, but not uncontrollably in that wind. First Impression: I bought the Ascent to upgrade from a Forester for more room for the family of 5, and some more towing power. From an interior perspective, having the 7 passenger version allows easy access to the back row, similar to the 7 passenger minivan we have. The minivan still has more cabin space and storage, but the Ascent is comfortable enough for everyone to go for a long drive. At 5'11", I have the driver seat back to a comfortable position, and I can still sit behind the driver without feeling crowded, and the third row still has a bit of space even though it's a bit tight, and my head touches the roof. Someone up to about 5'8" probably would be fine in the third row, so good for the kids for a while. Driving is pretty enjoyable. Handles well, doesn't roll much in the turns, and feels like it has good acceleration. I had a 2010 Acura MDX, and I feel like this handles pretty close to the same even if the Horsepower is quite a bit different. Plan on towing a trailer between 3000-4000 lbs loaded, and read it towed a 4200 lb trailer without difficulty. Good safety features like the lane assist, and the adaptive cruise control is awesome! On a relatively flat section of interstate, got up to 31 mpg with the cruise control. Drops off quite a bit in town. If you're stopped too long at lights, it will drop closer to 20 mpg in town, so the mileage can be good, but will have to see what it averages over time. The infotainment system is good, with a nice 8" touchscreen, but it's really nice to be able to use the Android Auto. Android Auto covers the navigation handily, since you can use Google maps, both via the touch screen, and the voice commands through the car, while still listening to car audio, or music on the phone. Overall pretty satisfied with the purchase, but will see how it does with towing and over the long term.
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Excellent family car with low tech
Tech wise Subaru still has a lot to catch-up to. Dash board controls still look like early 2010 models very basic. But great car when it comes to safety reliability seating handling driving etc Families will fall in love instantly
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good with flaws
Heated seats are useless. Minimal heat at high setting. OEM tires are fair on snow and ice.
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Was impressed until tried installing 3 car seats
Originally we were totally happy with our Ascent however now that we’re trying to install a 3rd car seat in the Captains Chair configuration I’m very unimpressed. The LATCH configuration is such that you have to use the wider portion of the 3rd row wasting vital cargo space. The LATCH hooks make it impossible to use a booster seat which can be latched and the seat belt for an older child. So we’re faced with putting our middle child in the back row and having to climb through the trunk of the car to strap her into her 5pt harness system. Not well thought through for families with young children or those who take child safety seriously and use sturdy car seats for as long as possible.
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Disappointed
Purchased our Ascent Limited in August, 2018, and now have about 9000 miles on it. Only issue we've experienced was the panoramic roof cracking driving home from the dealership. It was quickly replaced with no further problems. Only change I'd make would be to offer a V6 for the turbo 4. The turbo 4 is rather noisy when accelerating or pulling uphill. February, 2020 update. Have 20000 miles on the car now & I'm sitting on three recalls. These will be handled after all 4 tires are replaced. Front end alignment was so bad when I took delivery that two tires are worn bald. Falken has offered to replace all four tires and give a 50% credit. Which brings up another issue. Because of the "symmetrical all wheel drive" system, you cannot replace just two tires. All must be replaced to keep tread wear even. My 1st Subaru will be my last.
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Love the Car, but It has an Annoying Quirk
We also own a 2016 Subaru Outback so we like the brand and features in general. There are plenty of reviews concerning the good things about the Ascent. Let me focus on one quirk that you should know about since it seems to irritate many Ascent buyers, including me. When I first started the Ascent the first few times, the radio came on and I pushed the Volume button to turn it off. I couldn't help but notice that even though I thought I turned the radio off, it came on each time I started the car. After some research I found that pushing the Volume button mutes the radio and the mute is cancelled each time you start the car. The same is true of Bluetooth: pressing the Volume button mutes it and does not turn it off. On our Outback the Volume button turns these features off and they remain off unless I want to turn them on. So on the 2019 Ascent there is no way to turn the radio off. The popular work around is to tune the radio to SiriusXM channel 0, which is silent. If you tune the radio to this channel and turn the car off, it will stay tuned to the channel when you start the car and remain silent. Other than that irritation, it is a fine car and I would have bought even with this quirk. It was a bad surprise to find this quirk after buying.
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well made, quality, drives well in most terrains
Well made feels sturdy, including the seats
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Not Customizable
Test drive was exciting, but going to buy was horrible. Trim packages were a good fit and customization was very NOT custom. Could not add leather to a Premium, cannot remove Moonroof from a Limited. Why does Subaru think every person that likes leather wants a Moonroof? Need a trim package to add to Premium that is Navigation; Leather; Sun Shade back seat, protected back 3rd row seat; weather guard cargo tray.
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Nice car, but nasty issues
Loved Subaru Always had subarus, then grew a larger family and needed large vehicle. Had to sell off my Outback. Then Ascent shows up. Big changes learned from Tribeca it's said. Nope, not realy. Expensive brake components, two brake jobs in 2 years. Transmission needed replaced. Manifold cracked due to defect. Transmission slipping again but dealer doesn't find issue. Got recall notice on Transmission. Can't find an issue they say. I'm terribly disappointed in the company. Very expensive car and I bought two so my wife would have one. :(
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2019 Ascent
We traded in our 2014 Explorer for the new Ascent. The Ascent is a great SUV for the money. You can’t beat all the safety features that come standard as well as standard AWD. I do miss the the size of the Explorer as it was a bit wider and also miss the code option on the door to unlock the Explorer. I was very weary about the Suburu boxer turbo charged 4 cylinder engine, however the power and handling really surprised me and so much comes standard on the Ascent. What I don’t like about the Ascent is the engine can be loud at take off, when I unlock the door with the handle it only opens the driver door and the unlock button is small and not lit up so hard to find in the dark to unlock for my son and the navigation screen screen is super bright at night time. Overall the Suburu Ascent is a great SUV and is worth a test drive if you are looking for a 3 row SUV. I am falling in love with my first suburu! I hope this vehicle will last is a long time!!
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Two years of ownership. Needs to be better
I have had the 2019 Ascent top trim level since September of 2018. I currently have driven 45,000 kms, so I think I can give a fair opinion. Overall it has been fine. I like it, but I don't love it. I have several annoyances/complaints and they are mostly minor, but they all add up and lead to me wanting a different vehicle. Pros: 1. Solid interior with good fit and finish. Nice styling and quality parts inside. 2. Excellent in snow and ice. I have ridden in several brutal rain/ice/snow combinations and lots of snow in Eastern Canada/Maine and it has worked very well. 3. Comfortable interior space - nice for road trips. Lots of room in first two rows and decent third row space. Definitely better third row space than my 2016 Highlander. 4. Good infotainment system. Cons: 1. I had a leak in the sunroof drainage channel in my first Ascent. Entire floor was soaked after every rain. Fortunately dealer replaced with new vehicle. 2. Constant alerts/warnings when safety features activated. You can only shut warnings off by disabling the features. Definitely more sensitive and irritating than all other cars I have driven with similar features. 3. It is not really an enjoyable ride. It is basically a point A to point B vehicle. That is fine for lots of people, but if you enjoy driving, look elsewhere. Steering is vague and ride feels sloppy. 4. Road noise is OK, but should be better for top level trim. 5. Detachable cover for tow hitch is a pain to put on and off. You basically have to get on the ground and look under bumper to make sure you do it correctly. 6. Fuel economy is a disappointment. I had hoped a 4 cylinder turbocharged engine would be better, but my 2016 Highlander was better on gas. 7. If you are 5'10" or taller, you will hit your head on tailgate a few times before you remember to duck. 8. My towing experience is limited, but I would not tow anything weighing more than 2,500 lbs with this vehicle. I towed my 3,500 lb boat several times and it is a challenge. 9. Despite Subaru having a very good reputation for quality, that has not been my experience. Multiple recalls that have been fixed under warranty, brakes wore prematurely, B pillar exterior fitting came loose and trailer connection had to be replaced. Some issues I'm sure relate to it being a new vehicle, but overall pretty disappointing to have to have it serviced so frequently. Several other whiny complaints like keyless entry only works for front doors (not rear), child window locks the front passenger window, no TPMS, and could do with more storage and less cupholders. Do your homework before buying. I think there are lots of competitors out there that have upped their game and are better and more compelling vehicles. If you are a Subaru loyalist I'm sure you will be happy, but Subaru needs to up their game to remain competitive.
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Treacherous Tailgate.
Selling the Ascent & getting a Toyota. We bought it to pull our small camper & found out the hard way that if the tailgate is left open, it drains the battery. We were never informed of this and Customer service says there is no fix. False advertising and definitely not built for a camping experience.
The Good the Bad and the Ugly
The Good (IMHO), great vehicle to drive, did not have to get a moon-roof that I never use, heavy duty trailer hitch handles tough jobs, great visibility, super electronic equipment for lane control, auto braking speed control. The Bad: Cup holders suck big time, available inserts are a waste of money. The Ugly: Not really ugly after being accessorize with: Window Vent Shades ( a necessity in Florida's heat), Bodyside Moulding to prevent others from dinging your ride, Door-Edge moulding to keep one from dinging others vehicles. Real Ugly is using a Subaru installed trailer hitch because the hitch cover becomes another piece of gear to place in a store room (this applies to hitches that are in constant use, i.e. Electric Lift for Wheelchair or Scooter). Also, the Reverse Auto Braking becomes inoperative when the hitch is in use. I like my Ascent! I like it more after I dumped a lot of cash in it to get it the way I want. Subaru labor rates are high; however, when you're disabled and can no longer perform upgrades you have to bite the bullet. The Ascent was purchased primarily to haul my motorized scooter. I traded in 2019 Forester for the 2019 Ascent because the Forester's hitch tounge weight could not accommodate the electric lift. I realize I lost money on the quick turnaround but I believe my dealer gave me a fair shake. Time will tell, the electric lift was installed today and will be used tomorrow for the first time.
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Our first
Definitely pay attention to small details like resetting fuel consumption and all settings. Also material in car seem to mar easily
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Nice but I want something more
I upgraded from the 2014 Forrester to the 2019 Ascent during the inaugural year for the Ascent. I had a rodent problem that took over the Forrester, so I traded it in for the Ascent. I asked that the Ascent have all of the same features as my Forrester. I was pleased with the new features in the Ascent and loved the extra room of the third row. The adaptive cruise control is my favorite feature and makes driving long distances less taxing and more fun. The touchscreen interface is great because of a nice screen size and CarPlay feature and other apps. The panoramic sunroof is great too. My kids love the rear window shades. The speaker system is good with upgrade. I find the suv to be spacious and comfortable. We love and use at least 11 of the sixteen cup holders. The downsides of the vehicle are that my wheel axles make a weird noise that the mechanic can’t diagnose, the truck doesn’t look as sporty as some of the newer 2021 models from other brands, and I want a bigger dashboard screen. Also, this suv is not overly powerful hitting top speed, but it was made more for safety, towing capacity, and off road capabilities. This is a solid family car.
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Wasn’t expected
The suv built is very good, but it has so many problems. It’s been in shop many times. First Subaru, not very happy with it.
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is this a lemon ---not legally
this car has been in the shop almost more that out and I still have trouble
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Jerky Acceleration
I've reported 3 times the jerky feeling under light acceleration and the dealership has not been able to identify. A fuel pump recall was completed which I hoped would cure the jerking but no noticeable difference .Other than that, I like the car. Another recall has been issued (December 2021) but they still do not have the needed fix for the problem - transmission slippage. They say they hope for May 2022.This may finally address my continuing jerky acceleration complaint! Now, there also is a shifting shutter feel that I fear is related to the needed recall. I still don't drive it much (19,000 miles) due to concern of transmission failure and getting stranded. UDPATE: The car is very comfortable to drive and has many worthwhile features. I have had a concern since I purchased it new of jerky acceleration. There have been several recalls which, each time I hoped would resolve my concern. With 1 outstanding recall from last December still not having a fix, I returned my car with increasing transmission issues. This time the dealership was able to see chain slip and got Subaru to authorize a complete transmission replacement along with associated parts. I am hopeful that this will make the 2019 Ascent perform as I had hoped. Update: The tranny replacement DID NOT fix the jerky acceleration. I have had several scary events when I though the car was shutting down. Now I hear there is a heater bolt recall (reported on CarFax) that says the car can catch fire and to park it outside. Its winter in NE Ohio and why I have a garage! I have not received official notification from Subaru but I read where they don’t have a fix yet for the problem!
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Drains its battery
Do not buy this car if you expect to keep the back open for extended periods of time. I have children and sometimes sit in the back with the gate open while changing diapers or wait in the back area of my car. Sometimes I take a while to unload things. After 1 year the car will not be able to hold a charge and you will find your self needing a jump regularly. The dealer will say the battery is fine after testing it because you drove it there and it charged up. IU have also had 2 occasions that the whole car was blinking and screens were malfunctioning the only thing to stop it was disconnecting the battery.
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New to Subaru
Folks I am new to this company. Have always bought American. Still own a King Ranch 2015. This is my first SUV and the Ascent is beyond what I was expecting. Easy to get into and plenty of horsepower. Handles great and I have the Touring addition with everything on it. Still just 45.500. I would recommend to new or older generations.
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Our Forever Car
I would research the vehicle and then research the dealership. We are very pleased with our vehicle. 5 years and counting.
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Gets the job done, but some unexpected surprises
I purchased the 2019 Subaru Ascent new in August of 2019, largely based on the wildly superb rating of 96 in the most recent edition of Consumer Reports magazine on New Car Purchases. Within six months the rating in CR magazine dropped down to 89, then a few months later to 82, and one year after purchase, this 2019 Subaru Ascent is rated at 60, where it has stayed to the present day. At the start, I was very impressed with the overall room in the interior, which was ample for our family of five. There are three rows of seats, easily accessible, with good leg room in the second and third rows. There is also adequate storage capacity in the rear deck. I am very pleased with the versatility of the second and third rows, in that seat combinations can be folded flat to allow for additional storage space if needed. The electronics inside the Ascent were performing quite well initially, with a good sound system, and many features in the centre screen. However, by the winter season, I experienced a dead battery [ car would not start ] on perhaps four or five occasions in three of the coldest months, which caused a lot of stress in trying to get the kids to school on time. I replaced the battery at my own cost - the original battery was a lead acid battery and it was dead after eight months. I went back to the Subaru dealership to explain the problem with the poor performing battery, and they reimbursed me for the full purchase cost of the new premium battery that I had installed. Fuel efficiency is adequate as I do mostly city driving with the family, and get about 11 litres per 100 km. for regular fuel. The one aspect of the Ascent that I find to be most satisfactory is the large interior space which serves two adults and three children under the age of six extremely well. The second and third row allow us to separate the three kids so they are not tempted to battle with each other. The Ascent also has a very well designed safety package with side air bags as well as the front air bags. I have found the constant warning signals from the lane departure warning system and the anti-collision braking system to be highly annoying. The lane departure warning system can be turned off, and the noise volume of the anti-collision braking system can be reduced so it is not quite as bothersome. There have been some unexpected surprises. The audio system for the radio started out really fantastic with a colour display on the screen showing the artist name, CD cover picture and song title for each song played on the FM radio. That lasted about four months, then reverted to merely an identification of the station name and dial location. This went on for more than two years, and then suddenly, out of the blue, the original display of the artist name, CD cover, song title [ all in colour ] has been restored about ten days ago [ 32 months after purchase of the Ascent ]. I will mention this to the Subaru dealership when I see them next for service. Perhaps something to do with software updates ? About four weeks ago, the rear lift gate stopped functioning, which I found to be highly annoying as one can not open the rear gate, and can not use it to bring home bags of groceries, etc. Then again, out of the blue, after not responding or working for many weeks, the rear lift gate started to work correctly again about six days ago. I now have full functionality of the rear storage space again. I will also mention this to the Subaru dealership when I see them next, and will ask to have the switch or electronic innards replaced. Another surprise was the Vehicle recall notice received in November 2021 for the fuel pump. That was completed when I had my Ascent serviced in January, 2022. Then in early February, I received a recall notice from Subaru for the drive train !! Major component of the vehicle. They are still awaiting the parts to be made available, but as soon as I receive word that the drive train parts are on hand, I will get that done too. When I bought the vehicle in 2019, it was a decision based on the excellent record of both the Subaru Forester and the Subaru Outback. These two vehicles have an excellent record of dependability, longevity and good performance with few problems. Coupled with the original rating of 96 by Consumer Reports, I felt it was simply the best seven passenger SUV available. Now, I think the rating of 60 by Consumer Reports is fair, as there seem to be widespread issues with electronics not performing too well. However, other seven passenger SUV vehicles also have their own problems and weaknesses. Some have very limited third row legroom, some have high price tags with very luxurious interiors but have many reliability problems after one or two years. Would I buy another Subaru Ascent SUV ? Not sure. My next vehicle will likely be an electric seven passenger SUV, but those will not be available until 2024 - 2025. Overall, I would have to say that the 2019 Subaru Ascent has served our family of five quite well. Lots of interior room, and the vehicle has a very peppy engine with the turbo-charged 4 cylinder power plant. The response on the accelerator pedal is quite sensitive. Only a little bit of pressure, and the vehicle moves out very well. If you apply some medium pressure to the accelerator pedal, the Ascent really moves. The Ascent has extremely good traction with the four wheel AWD, and is a breeze to handle snow conditions and icy roads. We live in a climate where there is snow maybe four or five times which accumulates on the ground in winter. Never have had a problem in getting around with the four wheel drive and the superb traction that is standard with the Ascent.
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A very nice practical vehicle
This Ascent is a very nice well designed vehicle. It's size is perfect for for the average family or the retired grandfather with grandchildren that play hockey and always have hockey equipment going to a rink! This Ascent has a very good engine that gets good mileage and should be easier to maintain than others. The salesperson , Russell Kovacic at International Subaru of Merrillville, was very knowledge about the vehicle as well as about various methods of purchasing or leasing.
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Overrated and underwhelming
I bought this vehicle in large part based on reviews and reputation. I absolutely hate it! The 2.0 “turbo” performance is like that of a minivan and it’s fuel economy is like that of a rock crusher. Slow, 20 mpg on the highway, and slow-to-respond make this vehicle a dog. Subaru customer service will leave you more. This vehicle has already had multiple recalls since I purchased it in 2020. In all cases it takes several months before the parts arrive to fix the issues. There are lots of safety features that actually make this more dangerous to drive. The warning lights and signals advising you that you were coming up on another vehicle or changing lanes intermitenly go on and off and the vehicle slightly takes control once these come back on. Notoriously the sensors cannot read the lanes. Basically the steering wheel “corrects” and the brakes engage which could be quite dangerous when you’re out of defensive driving posture. Subaru cannot seem to determine what is wrong with us. The seats are uncomfortable on long trips and offer no lumbar support. UPDATE: I traded it in for a Nissan Pathfinder and I am quite happy with the new SUV. It’s twice the vehicle at a lower cost!
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A wrong decision to buy Subaru Ascent
After shopping around a lot, like every time we again ended up in a Subaru car. this time the new Subaru Ascent 2019. it was good for sometime.. and after a 3-4 months , it started giving some weird screeching noise, which we ignored and suddenly one cold night, while back from grocery, it didnt start at all.. i was in freezing cold for an hour waiting for the help guys. they boosted the battery and it worked, and the game started there. the transmission system failed .. and the dealership fixed it.. but one after the other, sometimes air bags, or lane assist doesn't work. then suddenly it doesn't start at all.. but every time they send someone to boost the battery ... it has been 4 times in a row after that. this car probably would be the last Subaru buy for us.
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First Time Subaru Buyer
Long time Toyota and Acura owner. This is my first Subaru. While it still has low mileage/usage, I love everything about it, so far.
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A Subaru...again
This is the fifth Subaru in our family. And frankly, it was the only car my wife wanted to look at. It’s beautiful, comfortable, loaded with safety technology, and we really appreciate Apple CarPlay, which is much simpler and easier to use than the interface in our Highlander was. We’ve only had it a short time, but we love everything about it.
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Good but Lacking
Final Update: Sold the car after 8 months of ownership. By far the worst investment EVER! No actual problems with the car but too many things not done right by Subaru that it wasn't worth the hassle of keeping. If you are looking for a vehicle in that class go with any other brand. Resale value on these Subarus also terrible. The manager at a dealer where i traded it in showed me the US News report where at the time the Ascent ranked 5th or 6th... Now its 13th for Midsize SUVs... That is terrible and it will reflect in trade-in value. I bought my Limited Ascent for around $40k and traded it in for $29k. NEVER AGAIN!!! Be aware of all of the weird issues!!!!!! Do a looooong test drive before you pick your cars. 10,000 mile update: Might be the first family to trade this vehicle in. It's not that it's a terrible car, it just didn't suit our needs as imagined. It's really not spacious enough for 4 kids who are tall. Just like all the mid size SUVs it has almost no trunk space when all the seats are up. That and the really bad gas mileage, weird and constant beeps, and horrible steering feel it was time to trade for a van. Sorry Subaru... this vehicle just didn't cut it... but good try. First off, all these reviews online have to be taken with a grain of salt. Of course most people who post things are doing it because something bad happened. So when I see a bunch of problems with transmissions it's concerning but not dissuading. I've had my Ascent Limited for 3 months and almost 5000 miles. So far no issues. The second day I owned it I slapped a small U-Haul trailer on it and lugged living room furniture 1100 miles without issues. The car rides very well, it's comfortable and pretty spacious. All the gadgets work as well as Subaru designed them. A few more things that are good: passing power, fit and finish, sliding second row, decent trunk space with 3rd row in use, decent gas mileage on the highway, very quiet ride, good sound system. Now, for things that are not great but not necessarily a deal breaker: Initial get up and go from stop is not good - takes a second or two for turbo to kick in - this is annoying and can be dangerous. Gas mileage in town is horrible 15-17mpg, steering is terrible - no road feel and car drifts on its own, constant beeping by safety gadgets - this you can turn off but then you turn it all off which is STUPID Subaru!!!, also - there's only a light to show there's someone in your blind spot... NO SOUND... this is also STUPID Subaru!! The sunroof is cool but the shade is flimsy and STUPID Subaru!! 3rd row leg-room is so-so if the second row is not pushed forward quite a bit. Overall it's not a bad vehicle but Subaru changed some things like the steering which did not need to be changed from say the Outback. Everything else is just preference. We have 4 kids and 3 of which are tall. I should have bought the Chevy or the VW which are both larger. This vehicle is ok for smaller children. I think Subaru tried to copy Honda and Toyota and did a decent job but not great. It's unfortunate because I resale will probably not be very good.
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One year review
I’ve had the Ascent for a year now, and knock on wood, it’s been totally trouble free. It’s been a great vehicle to take up in the mountains for skiing and hiking, comfortable, plenty of room, great safety features, especially the Eye Sight. I will buy designated snow tires and rims for this upcoming winter for extra peace of mind. I couldn’t be more pleased with this vehicle, Subaru did a great job on this car.
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CVT transmission
Just had my 2019 ascent transmission replaced.
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Subaru is quality and good resale value
Apple Play or Android for navigation. I don't use the eyesight feature, base speakers are good enough for me. I use DragonFly Dac to improve audio quality. Well designed functional vehicle for many uses. Like the memory height rear hatch. Came with 18" tires versus the 20". No moon/sunroof. The all symmetrical 4wd is a plus. Subaru knows alot about awd
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2019 Subaru
great car for the money
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