Used 2020 Subaru Ascent SUV Consumer Reviews
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2020 Ascent still hits a sweet spot, 4 years later
Satisfied Customer , 07/31/2019
updated 08/06/2024
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
144 of 147 people found this review helpful
I have now owned the 2020 Touring for 4 years, and it is still a car I am very happy with. Folks who complain about the accelerator being too responsive must be lead footed- for me its responsiveness hits a sweet spot and is one of the main reasons I picked the Ascent over its competitors, which I found to be, for lack of better words, lumbering and clunky in their responsiveness. I'm also baffled by reviews that the engine is "loud" or that there is too much noise inside the car. I just called a friend using the hands free setup while driving on the highway and we both commented on how you could hear a pin drop during the call. The Ascent feels like a premium quality car and in particular I love the balance Subaru has struck in building in so many standard safety features without them feeling distracting or obtrusive. On fuel efficiency, with a significant amount of local and city driving, it has consistently come in on the lower end of Subaru's reported range, with significantly higher fuel efficiency on highways. Based on my experience so far, I can confirm I am thoroughly satisfied with the new 2020 Ascent and am happy to give it an emphatic five stars. Update: I have now owned the 2020 Ascent for four years and almost 50,000 miles. It has met or exceeded all of my expectations during this time. I use it to commute into NYC where the poor road conditions often require an all terrain vehicle, on ski trips when the roads are iced over, when the rain is coming down so hard that there are flash flood warnings, and on backcountry dirt and rocky roads, and at all times have felt in control and safe. I truly love this car, and look forward to continuing to drive it for many years to come. I remain a thoroughly satisfied customer. Update: I am now nearly 50,000 miles into owning my Subaru Ascent. I continue to love this car, as well as the Subaru service center that takes care of it. I find my Ascent to be dependable and comfortable, and currently my main issue that that my wife now wants to use it more and more for group excursions with our son and his schoolmates. I continue to give the Ascent particularly high marks for control in inclement weather and rough terrain.
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Me happy
Florida Jack, 10/14/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
71 of 72 people found this review helpful
A previous reviewer questioned owners who claim the Ascent is noisy, and at 3K mi so do I. Tire noise is annoying over older and coarse concrete pavement on I-5, but other than that mine is quiet until 80 mph. I wouldn’t drive faster than that in a vehicle this big anyway. The new boxer engine’s torque is pretty amazing, especially when stabbing the throttle at 25 mph. Forget paddle shifters; just floor it! My four banger boxer engine also is vibration free — because it’s a boxer design, I’ve read. Boxer engine design also means lower center of gravity, which improves handling. My Ascent’s ride & handling seem very good to excellent for such a tall vehicle. Right now I’m getting 23.5 mpg over 1300 miles; other tankfuls have been as low as 19 mpg. All on cheap 87 octane. Pretty sweet for a torquey turbo engine IMO.
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2020 Subaru Ascent for sale near you
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- Limited 4dr SUV w/7-Passenger Technology PkgMSRP: $25,995In-stock online
- Premium 4dr SUV w/7-Passenger Convenience PkgMSRP: $18,000In-stock online
- Limited 4dr SUV w/8-Passenger Technology PkgMSRP: $21,262In-stock online
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Great all rounder, great value
Ed Weick, 02/02/2020
updated 08/05/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
36 of 36 people found this review helpful
I’m very happy with this car. It may not be the most exciting category of cars to shop in, but it’s an excellent daily companion which will make your life easier. As a daily driver for commuting to work, driving kids, dogs, shopping- it’s perfect. When it’s time to hit some trail heads for hiking, biking, or camp sites it’s a natural. With the seats folded down you can throw in an air mattress and camp right in the back. I’m continually surprised how comfortable and luxurious his car feels, and that’s coming from a BMW. It’s quiet, smooth, and has a very solid build quality that makes it feel like a much more expensive branded car. It’s really a tremendous value for the money. The eye sight features work very well and has made this the best highway cruiser I’ve ever had. If you’re concerned how the power train sounds on paper, don’t be. It works extraordinarily well. The car review industry hates CVTs, but this is the best I’ve driven. It’s so smooth and unobtrusive you’ll soon forget its there. The power is good. Great actually considering it’s a turbo 4, as a daily driver it has plenty of power. I disagree with Edmunds assessment of abrupt throttle response and being noisy at times. Fuel economy is OK depending on how much highway you do. If I do all local suburban driving I’ll average about 18.5 mpg, on highway it does fantastic, so if I have a tank that I mix even a few highway trips in, I’ll beat 20 mpg. The AWD system in this car is unstoppable. I’ve owned a lot of cars and this car is a great all rounder that does everything very well. Update: 15k miles in and still no issues, still a great car, still recommend. Update 20k miles, still no issues, still recommend
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Sue is a delight
Dave, 10/22/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
90 of 93 people found this review helpful
I have the Touring Model with as many extras as I could get. I've owned the Mercedes R350 (my favorite car ever) and two xc90s (old model and new). The Ascent compares favorably to all of them when you factor in cost and maintenance. I've never felt safer in a car going faster than 80 MPH. The ride is smooth and quiet (I'm not getting the noise complaints). The only real issue is that the hood vibrates up and down at speed and can be distracting for a few minutes. Subaru could tighten the latch down better. The gas mileage is ok, but I wish it was better; it's still better than the XC90. It's a little sluggish getting up to speed, but I kind of expect that as well. The interior is just as nice as a luxury car and my kids love the USB ports and in-car WiFi. The third row is not for adults, but unless you are driving a Suburban or Expidition that is going to be the case anyway. The car is a bargain at half the price of most luxury brands with many of the same touches. I"m happy I bought it and would buy it again.
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Love this car!
rob, 02/21/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
61 of 63 people found this review helpful
I have driven a lot of different style cars in my time. A minivan, a Suburban, half tons, ambulances, coupes and crossovers, hmmwvs, and MRAPS. I recently purchased a 2020 Ascent Touring. I LOVE this car. With three growing kids a a new (giant) puppy, the two row crossover ('17 Volvo XC60) was no longer cutting it. Is the Ascent as nimble in handling as the Volvo? No. Is it as quick to accelerate? No, but the official 0-60 time of 8 seconds is greatly exaggerated. The thing moves surprisingly well, I would say 0 to 60 in approximately 7 seconds. But that is not really what is important, this car has EXCELLENT mid-range pull. It has all the power and acceleration you need for merging and passing. I love the seats, they are very comfortable. The extending thigh support works wonders for my back (herniated discs). This was a new feature for me and I didn't realize the impact it would have. It is only on the drivers seat though. I love the layout of the dashboard and the infotainment system is intuitive and fast. There are plenty of USB slots for charging and there is lots of storage spaces in the front row. The biggest change for me driving this vehicle was Eyesight. I have never driven a car with adaptive cruise control (which works fantastically). I have never driven a car with lane keep assist (works well). I have never had a car with a front view camera (to assist in parking) or with a camera built in to the rear view mirror (I have not gotten use to this and use the mirror, but it would be very useful if you had cargo or passengers blocking your line of sight). My car insurance dropped 40 dollars a month. The dealership I visited was great, no slimy sales tactics. I was impressed with the professionalism and the personalities of the people working there. I was wary of the CVT issues that I have seen from the 2019 model. I asked and they told me it was a software issue and it has been resolved since. Spending this much money on a vehicle loaded with electronics... I bought peace of mind by purchasing an extended warranty. I suppose you can put my lack of trust in the transmission as a negative. The engine noise was weird getting used to but it doesn't even register in my mind anymore. People have complained about the road noise. I typically drive on the highway from 70 to 75 mph and have not noticed anything louder than any other vehicle I have driven. I test drove the Pilot, the Palisade/Telluride, Highlander, and Durango. This car hit the sweet spot for my needs. Do I wish it had a V6? Sure, but the turbo engine is more than adequate. I will admit I wish I could justify spending the money to drive the 2021 GMC Yukon Denali... but its cost is twice what I paid for this vehicle. As I mentioned, I am in love with this car. I love the way it looks inside and out. I love the storage space and the practicality of the vehicle. I have a boat and the 5,000 pound towing capability will come in hand, but I have not tried that yet. I get compliments all the time, I feel like the value I got for my money is outstanding, and I have peace of mine for 8 years or 80k miles. It's nice to know there is a little bit of off road capability in the vehicle as well should it ever be required. I would absolutely recommend this vehicle.
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Family Adventures Galore
Root, 12/06/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
35 of 37 people found this review helpful
Love this vehicle so much! Took it through a blizzard and the manual transmission option and AWD with All Season tires was amazing. The handling is great, especially for a car that fits 7 people. The space to move is really nice, and my 6'4" husband can easily sit in any seat in the vehicle. The gas mileage is less than ideal, but absolutely worth it for the amount of safety features and handling this thing has. It's my first Subaru and I'm looking forward to all the adventures we get to take it on.
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Great SUV except for low speed acceleration
John D, 06/02/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
We purchases a Touring Edition in January 2020, but due to the corona virus situation, the SUV has accumulated less than 1,000 miles so far. My only complaint about this car is a hesitation that occurs when accelerating from a stop. When engine speed reaches approximately 2,000 rpm, there is a noticeable loss of power, and the car will no longer accelerate. This can be disturbing, especially if accelerating up an incline. Pressing the gas pedal will result in an immediate power surge and the car will leap ahead. My concern is that this hesitation problem will result in (a) another car rear - ending me, or (b) me rear-ending a vehicle I am following. I'm fairly certain the problem is caused by the simulated transmission shifts that Subaru has installed in response to earlier customer complaints regarding its CVT transmission. I have contacted both the dealer and a Subaru representative, and was told that no measures are being taken to address this situation. Other than this, I am finding the Ascent to be a very fine vehicle.
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2020 is not clear of 2019 defects
smoky_mountains, 08/31/2019
updated 09/03/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Sporty Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
146 of 166 people found this review helpful
Updated. What a letdown this brand new car was! Endless quality issues with shaking/vibrating middle seats to squeaks and rattles throughout the cabin and now all failing transmissions reported by hundreds of people. I owned 4 Subarus over the years and Ascent on paper is a perfect vehicle for us. 7 seats, offroad, symmetric AWD. We test drove it for 1.5 days driving it on highways and local roads. We have been impressed with low-end torque it takes off from stop really well. Fairly quiet at low speeds, comfortable seats. Problems appeared at 70 mph - noise from wind and tires, vibration in the middle seats that kids complained about, crickets in the dashboard, rattle in the headrest. Car had 16 miles on the odometer - brand new. We have looked at the gaps in the sheetmetal panels to see if that is the source of wind noise, indeed uneven gaps on the front passenger door and hood. I must say that quality Ascents do exist and probably a majority of Ascents are good. Two that I have tested 2019 and 2020 were far from quality. Reason I am writing here because Edmunds is independent from a manufacturer. If you go to Subaru forums and discuss the Cons of the Ascent openly, your reviews will be removed and you will be banned by Subaru Ambassadors. It happened to me, they claimed I was a spammer from another brand, there many reasons to ban people. I use the same id on every forum and have nothing to hide. Be aware that forums are no longer true source of knowledge that they used to be 10 years ago when they were bought and now they are sources of advertising revenue and heavily moderated by the advertisers and you will not get the true picture there if you are deciding about your next vehicle. Consumer Reports, Edmunds are great sources indeed and Consumer Reports did get an excellent Ascent with zero issues. It pains me to see that even trusted Japanese brands are relaxing Quality standards. Our 2014 vehicle is quieter than 2020 that we also tested.
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All good......but!
Kevin L., 01/10/2020
updated 07/10/2024
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
24 of 26 people found this review helpful
Overall a great SUV with plenty of room and comfortable ride. Purchased the Ascent mainly because of great reviews, the Subaru name and the overall look. Decent acceleration but fairly loud noise from engine. When car is cold there is a loud whine in engine that goes away once the engine is warm. Dealership claimed the engine whine was a bad transmission (3,000 miles) and replaced it. Whine is still there and vehicle seems to hold back until engine warm. Dealer now says it is normal. Said oil in transmission has to get warm Brakes did not feel normal when applied abruptly. Dealer resurfaced brakes and brakes now ok. Tires wore out at 20,000 because they used cheap “soft” tires Gas mileage is not good especially around town, maybe about 14mpg. Occasional hesitation from a full stop. Hard to believe the limited model does not have rain sensing wipers.
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An unfortunate purchase
Ryan , 03/06/2020
updated 03/09/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
44 of 49 people found this review helpful
Three months into ownership and we're experiencing what we've come to find out is a known issue with this particular car and motor, oil dilution, which leads to a dreadfully potent fuel smell both inside the cabin and outside the vehicle. UPDATE: Subaru replaced our vehicle with a new Ascent and the new one still exhibits the same fuel smell characteristics as the one they replaced. Subaru has built fine cars in the past but their new ones are riddled with problems. Stay away unless you like rolling the dice.
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Lovin my Ascent
JayinUT, 12/10/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Sporty Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 2020 8 passenger Ascent Premium and have been throughly enjoying it. Fits my family of 7 just fine, but we put the smaller members, 5' 5" or smaller in the back. The third row is best for two adults or three children under the height of 5'5" . Love that the second row bench seats recline. Noise is not an issue in my Ascent from the engine or the road. Sound systems is good, and I love the integration of using my iPhone with the display. Lane correction does take a little bit of time to adjust to, but you can turn that off or I can. When we get groceries the third row is folded down as we need that space or when we transport other items. I have taken it out to the West Desert of Utah and it performed great off road with dirt, some mud and snow. AWD works like a charm like it has on the 3 Outbacks I have owned and operated in the mountains and the desert. The gas pedal may seem touching as the turbo charger kicks in when you hit the gas. Ease on the pedal and I don't have that jerky issue. Love that it has a turbo on it. Climate control works wonderfully and I like the fact I can lock out the rear controls if I want to, or as I drive around, I can have all on the same temperature for even climate in the car. Overall, I am very happy with the purchase. One compliant. I like to drive with my left arm on the top of the driver inside window and I cannot do that here.
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Absolutely wonderful car
George in Chicago, 02/06/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
I am a first time Subaru owner but my wife has one and ever since she got a forester I have wanted a Subaru. I love the way the Ascent drives feels solid on the road has enough room for weekend utility of home improvement projects. I previously had a 04 Honda Pilot and loved that car to its death. I needed a car to check off all of my check boxed to move away from Honda line but in comparison Subaru Ascent met and exceeded my list. I absolutely love the adaptive cruise and lane keep assist when driving on long trips it makes it a breeze. To sum up: Lots of cargo space, room for 6 adults, top of the line Safety features, over all great value.
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All the tech/upgrades at the basic level
CH, 03/10/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Sporty Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
What a fantastic SUV and value too. A fully loaded Premium trim with the Sporty Package, tow hitch, all weather floor mats, back seat cover, cargo cover, and cargo net all for only $36,200! You don't even have to go up to the higher trim levels to get all the high tech safety equipment unlike **cough**cough** domestics. I really don't hear the engine/road noise on the highway like Edmunds sates in their review. I was scared because of that review and almost didn't even test drive it. I was between this and the Telluride but I wasn't about to pay MSRP for an SUV and have to take a much bigger hit on the depreciation. If you are looking for a family SUV with all the amenities and space, this is it.
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I've had too many problems to like it
Disappointed with my Subaru, 02/20/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought the 2020 new in March of 2020. One day in June it started to lose power while accelerating and the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. I took it to the dealership and they said it had a faulty O ring on the turbo boost and a leaky gasket on the cool air intake. They repaired the issue and I have no idea if me driving it like that caused any lasting damage. In November, my rear view mirror completely stopped working. I have the touring model and the review mirror has the homelink buttons, a compass and a rear camera when you flip the switch on it. It seemed to just not have any power to it. I took it to the dealership and they reset the mirror and said it must have been a glitch in the software. It happened again a month later and they ended up replacing the mirror. In February (about a week ago), it struggled to start after being parked for 5 minutes and the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree again. I took it back to the dealership and they said my battery had been discharged and caused it to throw some codes. They cleared the codes and charged my battery. There was no reason for my battery to discharge in the 5 minutes that it was parked and they have no idea why it did that. I'm completely over the car at this point and ready to trade it in on something else. This was my one and only Subaru and I will never buy another.
By George, I think they fixed it!
TejasBob, 08/08/2019
updated 09/30/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
93 of 107 people found this review helpful
I bought the 2020 Touring (high-end) model expecting that the first-year problems that were uncovered should be corrected in this second-year model. Apparently I was wrong - I've had it only two weeks today and already the air conditioner has gone kaput - plenty of air, but no conditioning. The dealership has it now and they put me in an Enterprise loaner (a Toyota Rav4) until they can make the necessary repairs. I sold a perfectly good Lexus RX350 in order to buy this car with all the bells and whistles, but now I'm worried that I've made a mistake (i.e., see the title). If anything else major goes wrong, rest assured that I'll be back at the Lexus dealership. Update: I'm back in the service dept. again - for another case of air condioning failure - barely a month after the initial failure. With record-setting heat here, this isn't any fun nor was it expected. In addition, I've complained about the engine's tendency to hesitate when starting up following a full stop (as at a traffic light). This can be unnerving when trying to turn left in front of oncoming traffic. While the A/C problem is inconvenient, the hesitation could be quite dangerous - so I hope it can be corrected. My wife is already pushing me to go back to the Lexus dealership, less than two months into ownership... UPDATE 03/21/2020... This vehicl had its Engine Control Module reprogrammed at its 6 month service in January. Since then the hesitation problems have nearly all disappeared. The few minor ones are likely more to do with my two-footed driving technique than with the vehicle. Let's just say that now I'm a satisfied customer.
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Most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned
unhappy, 06/09/2020
updated 12/10/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
29 of 33 people found this review helpful
Bought my 20 ascent in September of 2019 . Got groceries out of the rear hatch one day, got distracted, forgot to close it , left open for about 4 hours , dead battery. Dealership told me there is a design flaw that keeps hatch motor powered and it draws 4 amps. No fix, Subarus fix was to tell me not to leave open. Twice I could not unlock car, not with keyless, not with key fob, not with button on hatch. Thank god I could unlock it with phone app. No fix at dealership. Air quit working, bad Freon tube. Seat heaters defective. Brakes squeal at ever stop. Radio head unit went out. Final straw , around 3500 miles started noticing at take off , ascent would accelerate, slowdown, then accelerate again. Stopping at stop sign would feel like someone rear ended it. Around 4000 miles would occasionally rev way up, squeal like a pig and drop rpms again. Sometimes could barely make it up a hill. Took to dealership, faulty transmission. Would take a month and a half to fix . Back order and another ascent with crap transmission before me. Told dealership, I’m done . Only had 3 months , 4000 miles . Ascent transmissions are very unreliable and defective. Actually the whole car is. Luckily the dealership gave me a great deal to get out of that horrible unreliable ascent and into a forester.
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Comfortable SUV
Ray, 08/15/2019
updated 08/15/2023
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
39 of 45 people found this review helpful
Gas mileage less then the sticker on the window. A little more thigh support. Gas pedal is cranky. Transmission balky searching for whatever. Adaptative cruise and all the safety devices are super. Ride is great on trips. Plenty of room as the great grandson will attest to. Brakes need to be beefed up. Plenty of power when needed. Fit and finish along with paint are great. On recent trip to East coast got over 30.1 mpg. 28.5 on the way back. Very comfortable car for long trips.
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Value abundance
Joe Wilkerson, 01/03/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
This vehicle has had no issues for our family. Smooth ride, comfortable seats, stable on the road, standard features you would pay thousands extra for. Subaru has worked hard to make us loyal customers. The cvt is different but never a problem. Road noise is slightly higher than previous vehicles, but I think it is the choice of tires. Picking this vehicle would serve a family well.
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Could be great!
Jason, 02/02/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
23 of 26 people found this review helpful
We love our Outback 3.6R Limited and have been thinking about and Ascent. The limited and touring are full of features other brands only offer at extreme top end pricing. The Ascent is fantastic on flat to even sloping ground but if you live up a narrow, winding, super steep road half way up a mountain with low speed limits do yourself a favor and drive the Ascent in such conditions before buying. I think the engine is fine with plenty of power. The CVT with its 8 programed shift points isn't happy in this condition. It keeps searching and kind of rolls or lurches through the shift points trying to find a happy place. The only way we could keep it happy is either driving too fast for the curves, staying on it, or to use the paddle shifters. I don't think you should have to do that. I'm older, I like to put a car in drive and just drive. Other than that the Ascent is fantastic, love all the features in the limited we had for a weekend test drive. Sure wish Subaru made its 3.6R 6 cylinder available in the Ascent, if they did it'd be the best mid-size 3 row around and I'd own one in a heartbeat!
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Ascent is a luxurious vehicle
Aaron C, 09/26/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
31 of 36 people found this review helpful
I have owned the 2020 Ascent for 60 days but I am very happy with the 2020 Limited. The acceleration is responsive, leather interior to be easy to clean with two kids and plenty cup holders/USB ports for everyone to use. The engine and road noise is not loud very quiet inside except for the awesome sound system. The Ascent feels like a luxury car and so many standard safety features, which is why I drive two Subaru vehicles. Fuel efficiency is good for the size of the vehicle. I am thoroughly satisfied with the new 2020 Ascent and am happy to give it a five star review.
Best all arounder
jess, 08/12/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
34 of 40 people found this review helpful
I wanted a car like ride with space that was great in snow. Tested Highlander, Pilot, Forester, MDX, CRV and many more. This is fun to drive and seems just right size for our family, not to big but not to small. Very happy with the value for this vehicle.
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Battery And Service Issues
D. Fajkus, 04/03/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
At 13,400 miles, on the second replacement battery. Been stranded and had to call road side assistance twice! Car was in shop for a week due to issues when driving 50 mph! If the car runs, it is excellent. I had a three Honda in past 17 years, and they were only in for oil changes and normal maintenance. Extremely disappointed in Subaru. Especially with the cost!
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New 2020 Subaru Ascent owner
New Subaru Owner , 10/30/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
19 of 23 people found this review helpful
I have read all the pros and cons about this vehicle, I purchased This vehicle mid October 2019. So far with just under 800 miles Have not noticed any transmission issues, noise from engine, Only issue I came across around 300 miles was a long crank to Start vehicle maybe 5-6 seconds . I called Gary Lang Subaru service said to bring in And they would do a battery load test. Everything checked out ok For the battery so far only issue I’ve had.
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Junk!
Traded In, 11/11/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
68 of 88 people found this review helpful
A/C Has gone out 3 times. My APP has gone out twice. Which starts as a hesitation then as the days go by when you hit the gas through turns you feel the steering wheel vibrate and the wheels chock like its stuck in locker position and its fighting to turn a corner...Found thats all due to the APP starting to go out! Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor. Yep the gas pedal stops working. What a wonderful piece of garbage!
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Great mountain vehicle
Montana skier, 02/15/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I live in southwestern Montana and hit the ski slopes on a regular basis (50+ days/year). The Ascent is excellent for getting to and from the ski areas. I don't normally have 4 people in the car when going skiing, so I can put all the skis in the back and do not need to use a rack on top. The model I have (Touring) has every amenity I need or want (okay, I'd like massaging seats, but that is a bit extreme). The ride is very comfortable and acceleration is very good for a 4 cylinder engine (I must admit I like to performance of the 3.6 liter 6 cylinder in my wife's Outback better though). Road noise is limited. Not as quiet as a BMW, but not as noisy as a Ford F-150. I've not had the opportunity to use the vehicle in non-winter conditions, so I cannot comment on how it performs on some of the rough forest service roads around here. All in all, I am very happy with this Subaru Ascent.
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An unfortunate purchase
Ryan , 03/06/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
26 of 33 people found this review helpful
Three months into ownership and we're experiencing what we've come to find out is a known issue with this particular car and motor, oil dilution, which leads to a dreadfully potent fuel smell both inside the cabin and outside the vehicle. Subaru has built fine cars in the past but their new ones are riddled with problems. Stay away unless you like rolling the dice.
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Excellent SUV for Price
R. VandeNoord, 11/14/2019
updated 05/17/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
16 of 20 people found this review helpful
I would agree with most reviews on the Accelerator being very touchy-either it leaps forward or stalls like a cheap 4 cylinder Asian rental car. The transmission also seems to not know what gear to be in when going up or down small hills. Both are issues that need to be resolved in future models. The mileage-ride and comfort are excellent and I especially like the interior quality and easy to use computer. Good value for money if the 2 significant issues of transmission and accelerator are fixed. Wind noise at higher speeds is aldo an issue that would improve overall driving experience
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Love it
PNW driver, 06/26/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I got the Ascent about 2 weeks ago and I love it! I really love the panoramic sunroof and all of the standard safety features. Lots of technology compared to my 14 year old Honda Pilot. I’m quickly adjusting though. It’s roomy enough for my kids (one is 6’) in back seat and love how easy 3rd row is to put up/down. The kids also love having heated seats in the back for winter. I can feel confident driving safely in winter driving conditions. The only negative I’d say is I wish it got a little better gas mileage. It’s comparable to most suvs I was looking at.
Not ready for the market!!
Anyhow , 04/06/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased the my ascent new from a subaru dealership. I had multiple issues with the service department. Issues with the front wheels after 20,000, fixed. Back tailgate started messing up at 40,000 miles. At 48,000 mikes, something started causing the brakes to engage while drive down the road unable to diagnose problem after 1 week in the shop. I traded in it as soon as I left the shop.
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1500 Miles and Loving the Ride
JAscent2020, 09/25/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
21 of 29 people found this review helpful
This is my first Subaru and so far I am really enjoying the car. I will update my review once I have tested it in the snow and have put some more miles on the vehicle. I get 24 MPG driving on rural roads with twists, turns, up and downs. Perfect for my family and above the competition that I test drove. Standard safety features and Android Auto are a plus.
Don't buy it if you own a dog!
Queen of the Prairie, 10/19/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
61 of 92 people found this review helpful
I traded in a Highlander with electrical problems (2014) and came out to a dead car yesterday morning. I inadvertently left the back rear gate up. The garage door was down and my guess is a finger accidentally hit the button. It has happened before, but I have seen it. An open rear gate drains the battery. There is no override. On the Subaru owners' website, I learned this is a common problem and owners are furious. Apparently, batteries may drain in as few as four hours, or sometimes more. One owner wanted to replace the battery with a better one, and Subaru told him that they would void the warranty if he did so. They are demanding a recall for the design flaw. I own a large dog who is crated in the back. Frequently, at classes, and elsewhere, there are circumstances where you want to crate the dog but open the back rear gate so the dog is aired and has sight lines. I never thought to ask about this feature. Fool me once. I will probably take my lumps on the depreciation and trade it in (the Ascent, not the dog!).
Nothing better than a Subaru
Ascents, 03/26/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
This is our 5th and 6th Subarus. We have put more than 200K miles on all our Subaru's except for the 2014 Outback, When we got the Ascent for Mom and Dad We wanted one for ourselves so we traded in the Outback with 124K miles on it. We will always have a Subaru.
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Great when it’s not in the shop…
Gadget0104, 08/30/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Sporty Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I really wanted to love this car. It was such a pleasure to drive when it was roadworthy. However, at 7500 miles my transmission lost the ability to move the car. Subaru replaced the transmission and the car got moving once again, but the replacement unit was very jerky and the car would have bucking fits. My wife and I didn’t want to drive this car as it was finicky and we didn’t know if it would make it to our destination and back given the ongoing transmission issues and then newly cropped up engine/fuel pump issues. Also, the rear hatch would sometimes work, sometimes wouldn’t open. There were other smaller issues such as wind noise and whistling from the sunroof; crazy intermittent Eyesight errors among other oddities. At least the Subaru dealer was friendly. We spent a lot of time there before deciding we needed a car that was reliable and this didn’t cut it. Subaru, the Ascent was a great idea but poorly executed. I will not buy another Subaru product and regret purchasing this vehicle.
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Mixed bag
Ol'Coot, 02/15/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for over a year now and it has 10,000 miles on it. Lot of things to like but also lot of things don't like. If had it to over again I might end up with same car but I'd spend a lot more time looking at alternatives. PROS: 1. Winter driving in snow and slick roads is excellent 2. Handles well, reasonably quiet, though my HD3/4 GMC Sierra is quieter 3. Fuel economy is good. Better than expected in town (19- 20) Hwy really affected by speed and wind. No wind at 55mph close to 30mpg, no wind at 80mph 23mpg. High headwind at 80mph 16mpg 4. Engine power/response is okay. Turbo effect takes some getting used to but that's fine. 5. Fit & finish is good quality. 6. Plenty of room, easy access getting in and out 7. Eyesight lane control is great. Makes a better driver out of you with constant gentle reminders if you drift. Trains you to use lane change signal all the time. CONS: 1. Controls are frustrating, nothing is intuitive 2. Location of many of the controls are down so low you can't see them and identification of switches is so small and "dim" that can't read it. 3. Starlink and MySubaru are a total bust. Stay away from them. I signed up for 3 years extension on Starlink. Half the time the app on phone wouldn't open at all and never could get remote start to work so finally cancelled and got refund (prorated even though never worked). 4. Have top of line leather bucket seats but they are uncomfortable for long trips. My wife would far rather ride in the GMC on a long trip. 5. Notification alarms are ridiculous. Going off all the time and half the time don't even know what they are for. 6. Heated steering wheel only covers half the wheel 7. Previous van had button for closing the tailgate on the side post which was lot more convenient than up high on the door itself 8. Lot of cup holders but most of them are not very conveniently located. 9. Only one small "jockey box" in front of passenger seat; most vehicles this size have upper and lower. Sooo, lot of things to like about it but also find myself getting frustrated with lot of things on it. Liked the Chrysler T&C van we had before far better in about every aspect except it wasn't AWD and steering was a problem.
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4th Subaru
Jkurtz76, 03/19/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Love the new Ascent!! Powerful, roomy, solid ride. Quiet cabin, excellent handling, Eyesight system is perfect. All the benefits of owning a Subaru. We know we'll have this one for a very long time, just like our others!
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Brake Problems were finally made.
McMurray , 05/24/2021
updated 05/29/2025
2020 Subaru Ascent 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
As 2025 recall of the Subaru Ascent front brake system was finally issued. I took it bask to Subaru and they replaced the pads and put on newly designed brake rotors. That seems to have stopped the front brakes from chattering and grinding. My only question is why did it take 5 years to doit?
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Subaru Ascent Touring 5 out of 5
Jushin, 03/24/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Plenty of head room and shoulder room on driver seat. Better interior materials than other mid size 3 row SUV’s. Kids enjoy the panoramic sunroof from the 2nd row seats. Very nice family SUV.
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Wow the Ascent is Winner
Bob, 05/28/2020
updated 11/30/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have been a Cadillac and Lexus drivers for over 25 years. Recently the LS 460L...the highest end of all the Lexus. I test drove all the Subaru’s SUV’s...and to my surprise....the Ascent was the best of them all. The seats were more comfortable for long drives than the Lexus, the safe feeling and ride were better and most of all there is a feel of complete control and safety. I never thought I would buy an SUV, but this one has everything I like...comfort, ease of handling and most of all a safe feeling. The Lexus LS has a much stronger engine/horsepower and smoother transmission but the ride, safe feeling and driving at a higher level can’t be beat. We did test drive the Lexus RX and Volvo XC90...but the feeling of the Ascent was twice as comfortable and not top heavy....that was the shocking point of the test drive and all my driving experience with the Ascent.
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Former owner of 2 Subaru Ascents
Burlingamer, 02/07/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought a Subaru Ascent Premium in early 2019 and generally liked the car, save the lackluster fuel economy. I was only getting about 19 mpgs around the city. Granted, I live in a very hilly area of Portland, OR where I am constantly going up and down 400 ft of elevation. Car was very comfy and fit my family pretty well. One thing that kind of surprised me was that the range of the second row didn't seem to be quite enough. You would probably have more rear legroom in a lot of sedans. This is probably to guarantee a certain amount of legroom in the back. Also, the second row annoyingly only locks in place in the rear positions (not forward position). This limits versatility of leaving more room open in the third row while driving, as the seat would constantly be knocking around. The only other weird flaws I found with the first Ascent were that the car's battery seems inadequate and the car barely started a few times after turning over a dozen times, the suspension seemed clunky when going downhill especially, and the transmission is just a little strange when shifting from reverse to drive (as are all Subaru CVTs). Sometimes car would jolt forward when hitting accelerator if you didn't give it a second or two pause after shifting from R to D. The transmission also seemed less than refined when driving at slow speeds, occasionally jerking here and there. Despite some issues with the 2019 Ascent, I decided to upgrade to a 2020 Limited after about 9 months with the first one. This added leather, heated rear seats, a HUGE moonroof, bigger tires and way better headlights (I believe all models of Ascent have upgraded LED headlights now, but 2019 Premium strangely didn't). What I didn't expect from the 2020 Limited is that I would loose about 2-3 mpgs in fuel economy. That is largely due to the bigger wheels and massive pano moonroof I think. Everything worked on the car but I did have a few random issues with the car barely starting again. The car developed a squeak in one brake that kept popping up. I think this was due to dirt getting trapped in one area of the pad or something. Subaru FINALLY replaced the front pads with upgraded pads after like 3 asks and no more squeaks. Additionally, the hood on the car rattled around a lot with a headwind and used a prop rod to hold it up. It's possible that gas struts would hold it in place a bit better? After 2 years with the Ascents I finally tired of getting 15 mpgs in the city (most of my miles). I traded in the Ascent for a Highlander Hybrid. I will have to say, the Highlander is pretty much better in every way (everything just incrementally better other than clearance and rear visibility), thought the Ascent had a bit more get up and go at highway speeds. I would you would get comparable mileage with all of these non-hybrid midsize SUVs when doing city miles with hills. If I were to do non-hybrid SUV, I would probably go with a 6 cylinder non-CVT, as I don't think this was a good combo for a vehicle of this size. Honda, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai both go with standard auto transmissions and a 6-cylinder. While I was OK with the Ascents for a while, I am much happier now that I almost doubled my city fuel economy with the hybrid, and will be keeping this vehicle for several years at least. Toyota CVT on the Highlander Hybrid is far less whiny and herky jerky than the Subaru CVT I have found, possibly because it is not trying to mimic gears. I would note that the highway mileage with the Ascent is pretty impressive for a 4,500 lb vehicle, and was usually in the mid-upper 20s as advertised, even up to 30 mpgs on truly flat terrain with no headwind. Bottom line with the Ascent is that I might recommend for someone driving in winter conditions through half the year and mostly highway miles. And I do think it is one of the more worthy midsize SUVs for light off roading. This would have been a vehicle I kept for 5 years if I still lived in Vermont, but now that I am in a city it is not as practical. I found that the Ascent was a bit clunky for constant stop and go driving in hilly terrain.
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Went from small to medium to large
Paul Hardy, 06/30/2020
updated 01/04/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I did all the common research from all the magazines and most had it rated #6-7 in its class. It isn’t even in their class! This should be compared to A Lexus,Infinity,or Acura! We have the touring and it has everything you want in a Luxury SUV, but $1000’s less expensive 💯
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So much potential but cannot recommend
Driving MN, 10/30/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
The Ascent has so much potential but fails to live up to it in many ways. Interior room is excellent as are the finishes and look. It checks all of the boxes for safety features, latest electronic options, and overall utility with the Subaru 4 wheel drive. It drives fairly well (just a tad soft) with excellent brakes and visibility. It all falls apart in the execution and some corners that were cut. Note that I am not a Subaru groupie, so part of the love of Subaru did not impact me. The issues start with the unrefined engine and transmission (CVT). The engine has a decent 0-60 time, but it is anything but smooth working with the CVT. The CVT likes to whine when cold and the engine sounds more like a blender. Subaru needed to put a modern 8 speed automatic or a V6 in the Ascent to live to its potential. The turbo 4 makes no sense since the gas mileage is very mediocre. I got 20 mpg where other V6 SUVs where getting 23-24. The Ascent also has a small gas tank, so you get around 300 miles and it is time to fill up again. Driving the Ascent is a bit like an arcade - it likes to beep at you for any number of reasons. Some of the beeps can be disabled and others cannot. The failure by Subaru is all the beeps sound the same, so you find yourself looking around to see which thing it is complaining about. The lane departure is very sensitive. Corners are but in the upgraded HK audio system and the seating. The upgraded system is worse than many base systems. The front seats are either too hard or they break in and are too soft. If you are on the heavier side (over 250lbs) and taller, make sure you drive the Ascent for a while and check the metal bar that crosses the front of the drivers seat. The ventilated seats make seat comfort worse and the seats sag. The steering wheel telescopes, but an extra couple of inches would make it perfect. The heated steering wheel is terrible as it only heats the bottom of the wheel. I really wanted to like the Ascent. Just too much obvious cost cutting in a $47K SUV. Compare this to a Jeep Grand Cherokee and you will find the over quality/feel radically different. (The Grand Cherokee does not have the third row). The good news is you can usually find substantial discounts on the Ascent and resale is decent. There are just too many good SUVs out there to settle on the Ascent.
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What a dud. Never again
khanair, 08/13/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
86 of 155 people found this review helpful
First and last Subaru. Problems started at 100 miles on the odometer and kept getting worse. Transmission shuddering, lack of adapting to change of the throttle. Throttle response is trash, causing whiplash from a standstill with just minor tip in. Adaptive cruise control tried to kill me 2 times in traffic when it failed to pick up other vehicles changing lanes in front of me. Infotainment system was glitchy, with poor touch screen feedback that would also lock up and after disconnecting a phone call (if it ever picked up that the phone was actually connected) it would drive the stereo to 100% volume. Lane departure assist would randomly show "off" even when functioning normally. Worst part, the selling and servicing dealer practically refused to deal with me or the vehicle after the deal was done. Avoid this heap at all costs and buy something that wont put your family at risk!
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Very good
Bob, 03/25/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Many great safety features on this vehicle. We really like it.
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Couldn't ask for more
King Garlic I, 05/24/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Rides and handles very well. Roomy. Improved viewing (compared to my 2014 Explorer Limited. Safety features are great but electronics can drain your battery if you don't pay attention to manual instructions. Small negative for a great SUV.
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First Subaru, Love it!
LabsX2, 05/26/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had the Ascent for a little over a month and really like it so far. The cabin is very attractive and comfortable. The ride is quiet, the engine very responsive and the overall ride makes you forget you are in a large SUV. The Eyesight technology surrounds you with safety features that make for a very safe ride. Overall, the Ascent has exceeded expectations and is an overall great ride.
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More sylish and a better ride than its competetion
Ted K, 02/12/2023
updated 02/28/2025
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Technology Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
ASCENT is definitely more stylish inside and out than its competitors. Considered VW Atlas, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Rogue, Honda Passport. Test drove Buick Enclave, Honda Pilot, INFINITI QX60 and finally the SUBARU ASCENT. This is the big brother to the very popular OUTBACK. The Ascent is a superior vehicle in almost all regards. Great handling, powerful 2.4L 4-cylinder Turbo engine, refined steering, great brakes, excellent visibility, good user friendly GPS navigation. Excellent graphics all around including the dedicated DIC at top center of dashboard. Comfortable front seats and captains chairs on second row. Logical dashboard layout and special features including weather, POIs, gas stations and stock prices through radio Sirius XM Travelink package. Clear, quality hands-free phone connection. Phone also dials from voice commands and lists incoming messages which convert text to speech at the touch of a button. Car glides down the interstate at 70+ effortlessly. Acceleration and passing made easy with standard Turbo engine and CVT. Comfortable ride. Unlike many others, the tint of the rear windows is NOT excessive but could be lighter. The headlights are absolutely SPECTACULAR - very bright and wide beams of light - the very best I have ever seen. Upgraded LED interior lighting is also very bright and plentiful. Car lights up inside as you approach it with your key fob in hand or pocket - nice feature. Harman Kardon sound quality could be better (somewhat shrill at times) but radio and media center are very easy to use. However the car does have a CD/MP3 player and the ability to play music files from a flash drive. Ineffective 3 band on screen equalizer because it really does not allow cutting back the excessive high end frequencies. 6 MONTH UPDATE * Still enjoying our Ascent but gas mileage disappointing. * Most annoying issue - hands-free phone only connects to radio about HALF the time. This should be an easy software update fix. * My 2018 Outback's 6 cylinder, 3.6 engine was quieter than this 2.4, 4 cylinder Turbo. 2 YEAR UPDATE * ALL of the above and DOWNGRADE the Technology from 5 to 4 stars. * Window tint on 2nd, 3rd rows and rear hatch should be half of what it is. At night, trying to see through that DARK glass in parking lots and driveways is very difficult, annoying and dangerous. * No fix was ever made available for the shrill sounding audio unit/speakers or the inconsistent phone connectivity. This is the most disappointing and annoying aspect of the vehicle.
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Retiree hauler
Merle D Haight, 09/25/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Everything performs as advertised. Turbo tasked a little getting used to at slower speeds but over the road performance excels.
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Amazing service!!!!
Chad Davis, 03/08/2020
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
The best safety SUV we ever bought, it already save us from an accident.
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Excellent deal!
L Hakes, 08/03/2019
updated 08/06/2021
2020 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
12 of 25 people found this review helpful
The ride and performance exceeded my expectations.
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Gas Guzzler
Housewife, 10/22/2019
2020 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger Convenience Pkg (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
28 of 72 people found this review helpful
I was given an Ascent as a loaner while my Legacy sedan is getting it's regular service. This thing gets horrible mileage. I have used this vehicle for the few normal errands that would have barely ticked down the fuel gage on my Legacy, and have already used up a quarter of a tank. I would take that 23 miles per gallon with a really big grain of salt. I'm sad that I will have to spend over 10 dollars to top of the tank of a loaner before I take it back.