Used 2021 Subaru Ascent Consumer Reviews
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Fantastic engine, sketchy CVT
Joe Mama, 01/02/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
75 of 78 people found this review helpful
Pros: 2.4L Turbo engine. A far less spartan interior than Subarus are known for. Great head and legroom. Mostly quiet ride. Limited on up trims provide a manual mode with paddle shifters. Definitely a must for slow speeds and stop and go traffic. Cons: 20" wheels with 245/50 tires are harsh riding. A hesitant and indecisive CVT squanders the power band of the engine. Touchscreen is primitive, circa 2015. Annoying, too bright indicators for the compass and passenger airbags.
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Covid and age
Thomas Beck, 11/02/2020
updated 05/03/2024
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
47 of 49 people found this review helpful
Covid and age limited my driving the past two years. I have just 14,000 miles on this car. My Ascent has been trouble free, looks good and nice to drive. The negatives I have is the transmission (CVT) with unnatural shifting gears and the gas mileage. I get 18-19 around town and expected better. But it works well on regular grade gasoline. The interior looks like it should be in a Mercedes. I’m happy with my choice. Best 3 row SUV for the price.
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2021 Subaru Ascent for sale near you
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Best all around SUV for 6+ passengers
marcevan, 11/19/2020
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
33 of 35 people found this review helpful
Safety First - Top rated IIHS vehicle! Price - disingenuous to compare to Kia and Hyundai who demand +$5-$8k over MSRP while Subaru is typically 8-10% under MSRP. Might as well compare those to a Volvo XC90 R-Design at that rate. Drive - Tighter than Toyota Highlander but not as tight as Mazda, but in the Mazda you sit lower and have less visibility. Great without stressing the gas due to high torque and pleasant on the highway. Standard AWD/ABS and X-Mode means Winter is no no concern. Cannot say that about the comparative SUVs where you have to pay more for AWD. 3rd row seats - I have no idea why they keep saying this is for kids. I'm 6'1" and can hang back there for trips of 30miles or so with no complaints. Sunroof - blocks 95% of UV rays btw Mileage - after CVT breaks in around 1k mileage you will see rated city and highway claims. Infotainment - Can only speak for trim I got, 8" is fine and it's responsive. I love the Harmon Kardon speakers and bluetooth from phone is great (not so great in Android Auto or Car Play mode). Navigation is TomTom and substandard to either Google or Apple maps. Seating - Did the 6 passenger 2 + 2 + 2 (back row really is only 2 adults) and heated and vented seating in front is awesome! Heated 2nd row is loved by kids. Typically we have 3rd row down and have ~47 Cubic feet of storage so zero complaints there.
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I'm Not A Subaru Girl... Am I?
Laney, 05/24/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
70 of 77 people found this review helpful
I know Subaru's have a loyal following, but I'm not a Subaru girl and I've never once had a desire to drive one. I'm an "accidental Subaru girl". See, I've driven a Lexus RX300 since college and I loved it so much that when it was time to get a new car I got an RX400H. I put so many miles on my RX, that it was now time-- you guessed it-- for another one, so I took to Lexus to test drive my future SUV. The Lexus RX has undergone a major facelift since my old 2008. The Lexus designed its center to raise up super high and felt more like a cockpit than a driver's seat. Also the infotainment system was horrible and the SUV drove like a tank. Sadly I had to pass. I decided that I'd trade in being a Lexus girl to be a Jaguar girl! The FPace drove kind of like an ATV and for being a luxury car, it wasn't very luxurious. So it was settled-- I was going to be a Volvo chick! Understated luxury. I test drove the Volvo XC60 and it was OK. It drove kind of large and was a little more effort to maneuver but seemed OK. Volvo is known for quality, but ever since they sold to the Chinese Geely owners, some of the cars built in China aren't nearly as reliable, but whatever. I'll be a Volvo chick... or so I thought. My boyfriend and I drove down to Volvo Orange Coast to test drive my future Volvo-- a 2020 white xc60 with black leather interior. It was destined to be mine. I parked my Lexus and as I was getting out of the car (to test drive my future Volvo), casually said, "those SUV's don't look half bad", to my boyfriend who then laughed and said I should test drive one. He was serious! LOL Me test drive a Subaru?! As-if! I don't own a single pair of Birkenstocks, definitely don't eat granola and camping is 100000% off the table. I laughed off his comment, but he didn't back down. I had already test driven every freaking luxury SUV known to man... so whatever. Lets go drive the Subaru. Grudgingly, I drove the Subaru. It was surprisingly HUGE-- an 8 seater, and drove beyond nimble. I mean, this giant SUV handles curves and drives like its the size of a Mini Cooper! The infotainment system was incredible, the car's engine wasn't loud, and the inside of the car was just as nice-- if not-- nicer than the other luxury SUV's I drove. Also, when I told the salesman I wanted to go home and think about it, he thanked me for my time and gave me his card. There were no high pressure sales tactics, or any dog and pony show to speak of. Needless to say, I ended up buying the Subaru. I ordered my very own Subaru to spec and am the proud new owner of a white 2021 Subaru Ascent Limited. Had I never parked in front of Subaru I'd be driving a Volvo right now. I'm beyond excited about my new car. I've had it for almost 2 months and have a little over 4k miles on it already. I never thought I'd be a Subaru girl, but I'm glad it worked out... who knows, maybe I'll even give camping a shot... who's bringing the granola?!
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Love it!
Don Wilmot, 08/17/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
I have owned Suburban's since 1975, usually bought a new one every three years or 90,000 miles. I also own a 2019 Outback. Been looking at the Ascent for two years, finally made the plunge three months ago. My only negative is range before refueling; I average 20 to 22MPG combination city/hwy (calculated by doing the math miles driven vs gas consumption). On straight highway driving at 75 MPH I'm getting 22-23 MPG (calculated). Mind you, I'm comparing the ride and handling to a Suburban. Is it different......Yes, but a Suburban weighs 2000LBS more and has a much longer wheelbase. I love driving the Ascent and have no negative issues other than range. My Suburban had a 31.5 gas tank giving a comfortable range of 550 miles compared to 400 miles on my Ascent. I read all the negative reviews, I totally disagree with most of them. I have not had any mechanical issues in the first 5000 miles.
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Love it but !!
1hammer1, 03/14/2021
updated 09/16/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
56 of 63 people found this review helpful
This is the best handling and rideing suv that I have ever owned ( this is our 9th Subaru ) 2021 Subaru Ascent touring ( BUT ) The front passinger seat has no up and down ajustment ( strange for a high end touring ) And it is just plain noisey lots of wind and road noise And only a 19.2 gas tank (REALLY) WHY? and with a turbo that really sucks the gasoline and the front seat bottoms are too hard & firm for a long trip. I really wish that I could give this Subaru Ascent 5 stars but I can not, When going down the interstate @ 65mph we ( my wife and I ) Can not hear and understand the radio and barely each other just a bunch of noise because of the road and wind noise (SAD ) for almost $50,000 so as a loyal Subaru owner I only give ( 4 stars ) and because of the above I am trying out other brands now, I demand good ride and comfort AND QUIET. PS. This is not our 1st ascent our 1st ascent was a 2019 touring I traded it for the 2021 touring because of the ( Ulgy brown interior colors ) to the 2021 ascent black interior that we have now and love, the Subaru's that we have owned (9) have all been the most dependable vehicles that we have ever owned in our 49 years of marriage out of the (9) -- NONE HAVE EVER BEEN REPAIRED-- I can not say that for all the BRAND NEW Fords and GM's that we have owned during our 49 years of marriage. NOTE TO SUBARU: Why not get you act together and fix these problems so we can keep being a loyal customer.
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Ascent’s hesitation issue
Michael Pinard, 10/21/2020
updated 10/21/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
51 of 58 people found this review helpful
After trading from 3.6 liter Outback to the Ascent very disappointed in engine performance. Much less power and much more interior cabin engine noise. After 7000 miles there is still hesitation during acceleration especially when engine is cold and we live in Florida. Dealership says it is the nature of this model. Too bad because I like all the features put into this model. But in the end engine performance , smooth acceleration is what counts. 18,000 miles and the hesitation between 20 and 40 mph continues. Did a 4200 mile trip this summer and very comfortable. If Subaru could fix the issue I would consider buying another Ascent when the time comes. Consumer Reports does not even list this model in the top 10 anymore. I would think Subaru would take notice and improve the communication between the transmission and engine. Too bad, otherwise it has been a great car.
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ULTIMATE ACTIVE FAMILY SUV!!!
Chris Richards, 11/04/2020
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
37 of 43 people found this review helpful
Test drove everything, BMW X5, Audi, Mercedes, Honda, Toyota, etc...and the Subaru Ascent is the best all around SUV! Can’t beat the price for what you get. Perfect vehicle for active families, camping, beach, you name it! Smooth ride, drives great, lots of pep, great turning radius, comfy seats, great mileage, lots of great tech and safety features, tons of cargo and AWD!!
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Mediocre at best
TexasLeather, 01/12/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
I have a fully loaded Limited Edition. The ride is fine.. however, at 6000 miles -- tires already showing substantial wear, squealing brakes every time braking occurs, cheap windshields - already has two chips... you would think I was driving through city construction... alas.. it is almost all highway miles. This vehicle also falls short of EPA estimated mileage.. I have never come close to 26 mpg on the highway consistently.. and on city roads forget it.. might as well have a large SUV or truck. I am luckly to average 21 mpg with 80% highway miles. I honestly would look elsewhere, I am stuck with a really pretty piece of junk -- but HEY.. it is pretty.
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Big BANG for the Buck!
Ahmadski Ha-Hanif, 12/18/2020
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
44 of 52 people found this review helpful
Okay, so my wife and I have been driving INFINITI vehicles since 2006 and because we usually lease our cars, we've had pretty much all of their models from G series to the Q/QX models. After 2 INFINITI QX60 AWD SUV's we decided to change things up a little and go with a 2021 Subaru Ascent Touring AWD SUV. I want to break this into sections as I have a ton to write about, so here we go: COMPARISON: Surly there are some obvious differences between the two SUV’s like 3.5L 295HP/270lb – tq V6 engine in the QX60 and a 2.4L Turbo charged 260HP/277lb – tq 4 cylinder engine in the Ascent, the Ascent also offers captain seats in the 2nd row vs. QX60’s only bench seat option, “luxury” brand vs. non luxury, and the small features here and there, but there are a lot of similarities as well, one of the main feature being the CVT transmission. Cargo space and seating functionality is very similar. I do like the option of captain seats in the 2nd row of the Ascent for those who do not necessarily need or like the bench seats. Another difference in the QX60, the 3rd row seat is for 2 passengers vs. the Ascent’s 3 passengers. It does make it a bit tight squeezing 3 people back there. I wouldn’t say it’s ideal for 3 adults but kids shouldn’t have any issues. The steering feel in the INFINITI QX60 is a bit tight/hard compared the a somewhat “lose” yet very responsive steering on the Ascent. It also “drives/feels” a bit heavy even though they both weigh about the same around 4500lbs. Maybe I need to get used to driving the Ascent but I felt a bit “safer” in the QX60. TECHNOLOGY: Both of the INFINITI QX60 SUV’s that we had in the past had the (what they called the packages back then) Premium/Premium plus and the Driver’s Assist packages. The features and technology are pretty similar but there are some differences as well. One of the main features that both my wife and I got so used to is the around view, 360-degree monitor cameras. In the Ascent you only get a rear and an optional fish-eye front camera in the Touring model. INFINITI’s ProActive package gives you all of the available safety features for about $12000 more than a fully loaded Subaru Ascent. I personally think the Ascent’s Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and the Pre-Collision Throttle Management systems work much better than INFINITI’s Intelligent Cruise Control with the Lane Departure Warning and Prevention systems. Ascent keeps the vehicle lane centered and has an amazing steering correction that can take on 30-40 degree angles without deactivating the Lane Centering feature. PERFORMANCE: The engine specs are available for everyone to see and compare but it’s when you drive that you get feel of handling, road noise, throttle performance, braking, and the safety features etc. I’m split between the two on this one. Bigger engine doesn’t necessarily mean more HP, it’s the performance at different speeds and different acceleration needs. I loved the V6 response but Subaru engineers are not dummies, they combined the 2.4L 4 cylinder engine with a turbo charger which makes up for the difference. While the turbo charger is a good additive to an engine, the decrease in displacement has an affect in the “feel” of the engine. At slow speeds the Ascent seems to be screaming and gasping for air, and at higher speeds, the throttle becomes a bit sensitive and a slight increase raises the RPM where you can hear it going up and down if you play with it. That can be a bit annoying but it can be solved by activating the Advanced Adaptive Cruise control. AT THE END OF THE DAY: A lot of people complain that the INFINITI QX60 does not have either of the carplay feature. My take on that, it has pretty much everything you’d use the carplay for so what’s the big fuss about having a carplay? Another thing I noticed leaving your phone plugged in all the time, especially on a longer trip, is not good for your phone. You can feel it getting hot. Can we get over not having the around view monitor cameras of the QX60 SUV? Sure we can… there are bunch of other features that supersedes in the Subaru Ascent that will make you forget those small features of the QX60. Do we miss having the 6-way power front passenger seat? We sure do! Do we miss the aggressive yet luxurious exterior design of the INFINITI QX60 compared to a “safe” laid back, not taking much risk styling of the Ascent? It’s a personal preference but yes we do. You have to put everything on a scale and weigh your options but keep one thing in mind that my opinion and views will not do anything but to help you find the common grounds and make a decision on your next family SUV. Were we happy with the INFINITI QX60 SUV? We were… would we have gotten our 3rd one? I’m 80% sure we would’ve! Are we happy with the Subaru Ascent – ABSO-FLIPPIN-LUTELY! Good luck ~
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Subaru Ascent
Brent Voorheis, 03/30/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
After spending some time researching, we just purchased a Subaru Ascent. We like the ride, the turbo 2.5L engine does have some lag unless to step on it hard enough to kick in the turbo. Eye sight is nice and with adaptable cruise the darn thing will just about drive itself on the interstate. Interior lighting is amazing with the LED's and the passive interior lighting is a real nice touch. Impressed with the rear camera in the rear view mirror. Overall, we are very pleas
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Hesitation and slipping
Disgusted buyer, 02/03/2022
updated 02/06/2023
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
23 of 27 people found this review helpful
If you want a vehicle that hesitates in the middle of intersections, and the transmission slips at will, then the Ascent is the perfect vehicle for you. Bought the car new and immediately started having these issues. Dealer tech stated transmission was too small for this vehicle and that the CVT didn't know how to respond in stop and go traffic. Subaru would not help even though this is an ongoing issue in the 2019 and 2020 models. I got rid of this awful suv and went with Kia Telluride SX Prestige. No comparison! This Telluride is everything you could ever want in an suv and more. I will never go back to a mediocre Subaru again! Do yourself a favor before you purchase a Subaru, and test drive the Kia Telluride.
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Comfortable, capable, and cool!
Scott, 06/11/2021
updated 12/19/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
14 of 16 people found this review helpful
Goes everywhere you need to go, with everything that you need, with everyone you want to take. I’ve not found a place my Ascent can’t get me. In grass, mud, and snow it is completely reliable. I just got my second one. 1.5 years later at 25k miles on, it’s still the best. Perfect for a family that likes to get out into nature.
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Fantastic SUV
Lcamp, 01/15/2021
updated 01/22/2024
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have driven my Ascent for a little over two years now. This vehicle has yet to disappoint. At the time of my purchase, I was debating whether to purchase the VW Atlas or the Ascent. I drove the Ascent and then the Atlas. The Atlas had too much play in the steering wheel. I loved the interior of the Ascent. I still love driving this vehicle! My husband, who never wanted me to purchase a Subaru drives it more than I do. I feel very safe in this vehicle.
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Quiet Luxury with so many safety features
Chicken Run, 03/27/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I wanted a 3 row suv for my family with all the bells and whistles for safety. The Ascent does that and more. I describe it as a mini van in an SUV. The 3rd row seats seem bigger than other brand. The safety seat map for seat belts is fantastic. Even popular mini vans don’t have that feature. One thing I have noticed is the passenger rear doors need to be slammed hard in order to close. If you try a soft close they don’t latch. 63@0% you couldn’t beat that financing, if you can afford it. While I wanted a limited and they sunroof, the additional features and limited stock of the lighter interior made us quickly choose a Premium when we could find the interior color. We are averaging 19 in town. There is definitely a way to drive the Ascent that is different than my prior vehicles so you can max on the gas mileage. I have no real complaints. One interesting thing we did notice is that the hoods on them have a bigger gap on one side vs the other it’s every single one but no one knows why this is. If you’re a type A this may drive you nuts so sorry. But otherwise. I love the ride and it shifts smoothly. We haven’t towed with it yet, but don’t think I’ll ever buy a different brand vehicle. This one has sold me on Subi’s for life.
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Gas Hog
Travis T, 06/19/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
23 of 28 people found this review helpful
After owning several Subarus and living in Colorado it was just the natural move to upgrade to the Ascent with a growing family. I haven’t owned it long but I am very disappointed in Subaru on the engine choice they put in this car. While it doesn’t necessarily feel underpowered when driving down the road it is by the abysmal gas mileage I have seen over the first couple of months. I’ve been tracking mpg each tank and have been getting 16mpg for several tanks. One tank I got almost 20mpg which was primarily highway driving. With them also included an undersized gas tank expect to spend a lot of time at the gas station. I’m really not sure how it’s physically possible for a 4 cylinder to average around 16mpg but Subaru has achieved this feat of modern marvel. I will give them credit on a few things. Cabin is spacious and comes equipped with good features on the Limited trim. Overall I would say unless you live very close to a gas station I would pass and find something else. Personally if I’m going to get 16mpg I’d much rather opt for something with a bigger engine and that has more power.
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Great on slick roads
Bryce, 01/04/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
My wife is claustrophobic so the large moon roof really opens up the cabin. I love the driving assist features and she loves being able to turn them off.
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2nd Ascent same problems
Ken C, 06/21/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
My wife wanted rid of her 2020 Ascent because it constantly had transmission shudder issues and brake noise issues which the dealers refused to correct. So she traded it in on a 2022 model, 13,000 miles into the new Ascent and same problems. Transmission is shakey and brakes are noisy and pulsate slightly.
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2021 Ascent
Johnny, 01/12/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
14 of 17 people found this review helpful
This is our second Ascent. First one was great with no issues. Traded in for same Touring model due to great deal on used. Ambient interior lights on passenger side do not work. No one within Subaru or dealership can confirm issue or repair. Sad quality for $50k car. Even more sad that you can’t get anyone within the organization to confirm what is going on.
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Smooth ride with 277 ft-lbs of torque.
Dave, 09/30/2020
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
18 of 23 people found this review helpful
Acceleration is very nice with 277 ft-lbs of torque at 2,000 rpm's. There is no need to floor the throttle. The ride quality is very nice. Interior speaks of high quality materials. Eye-Sight cruise slows the vehicle down when closing in behind another on the road. Subaru has the best AWD called Symmetrical AWD.
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Had transmission issues but overall great value
freejames, 09/02/2022
updated 03/10/2023
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Updated after dealer able to solve transmission problems. ———— We mostly loved our Ascent until one day all the warning lights came on. After taking it to the dealer, they said the transmission harness has an issue and should be replaced, but Subaru cannot provide the replacement part. Best they could do was reset the warnings, software update and send us on our way. Of course after a couple weeks or so all the error lights come on again and the car losses functionality. This has been going on for months, with no solution in sight. Afraid of even driving it anywhere beyond the grocery store, so now we're stuck with a car payment for a new car that can't really use.
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Overrated and still a piece of junk
Chuck, 04/10/2021
updated 04/13/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
18 of 25 people found this review helpful
The 2021 Ascent has to be herded down the road especially when driving with a side wind. Even with little or no wind the vehicle tends to wander. Hood shakes in the wind and when meeting vehicles, (had it fixed supposedly by dealership}. Engine is noisy and not responsive and hesitates when starting out. Camera shut down seven times in a 60 miles trip in a soft rain, which shuts down the cruise control and brakes the vehicle. Bought this vehicle over the phone because of COVID concerns and if I would have driven this vehicle odds are I wouldn't have made the purchase. We had a 2020 Ascent which we liked and after driving the 2021 we wish we had kept the 2020. Dealership has looked at my vehicle a couple of times and said there is not problem with the vehicle, but my wife and I plus my son have all driven this vehicle and have the same complaint, wanders endlessly on the road. My advice, drive one several miles before buying one so you don't make the mistake we made.
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One major flaw
Chris, 09/26/2021
updated 03/28/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Good: comfortable ride, excellent backup cam, XMode works awesome on snow/ ice/ mud, excellent variable cruise control. Slightly bad: touchy brake / acceleration . You get used to it. Bad: lane assist. It jerks you aound making an uneven ride. It screams at me constantly if on because I live in farm country and am always passing Amish buggies and tractors. The worst is at T intersections with a fence or wall at the end. It is convinced I am going to run into it and not turn. The good news is I can just turn it off. The ugly: I have a 2019/ first off that truck pre order. it’s 3 now. The shifting points are slipping horribly. I have taken it in to the dealership. They ran diagnostics and said nothing is wrong with it. There clearly IS. And it is getting worse. Updated: I took the car back 2 months later. They found the drive chain was loose and the electronic shifting points were off. By this point it was so damaged that I needed a new transmission at 37,000 miles. By this point / 2021 some cars (but not mine) had received a recall notice for this exact problem. Fortunately the 5k repair was covered by the recall. Just last week (3/22) I got a recall notice for my vehicle LOL. It’s running fine now with it’s new transmission. But super disappointed my Subaru needed a new tranny at 37k. My prior one / 2009 ran 200k with 5 minor repairs in 10 years and is still on the road with its next owner.
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Solid Value, with many safety features
Ken The Teacher, 02/17/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I sometimes wonder why some reviews are so negative on various vehicles. This is an excellent vehicle for comfort, traction in bac weather, an abundance of safety features, and comparable pricing. I am a large person of size, and this Subaru is one of only a few than I can fit into without being totally cramped into a tight corner. I get about 20 miles per gallon in everyday driving, and more on long trips. The blind spot mirrors, emergency stopping, and tons of other safety features are included. The interior is very nice, and the touch screen is easy to navigate with the 14 Harmon Kardon speakers put out awesome sound. When our roads froze over, I drove past may pickup trucks and SUV's that were pulled over to the side of the road that could not go forward. My biggest complaint is road noise. Now I understand they are using a noisier asphalt product in our region in recent years, but the noise that comes up from under the vehicle needs to be dampened down. This vehicle is easy to drive, a bit small in back storage space, but dependable, with excellent road clearance, and it looks great also.
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Engine light on less than 400 miles
New_Subaru_user. , 12/19/2020
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
26 of 41 people found this review helpful
The vehicle has less than 400 miles on it already had it’s engine light on twice. At first they said that it’s the oil intake solenoid then the engine light is in again and they can’t figure out what’s the issue with the vehicle.
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Fear of running out of fuel
Kate, 01/01/2021
updated 07/07/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
25 of 42 people found this review helpful
Do not get this vehicle to tow anything! Used the Ascent to tow a 3100 lb trailer from Oregon to Florida. Gas mileage was 5-10 mpg. We had to fill up at half tank since we could watch the gauge plummet. Essentially every 50 miles we had to stop, and get gas. We drove the speed limit, used cruise control, stopped and double checked our RV weight on Loves truck scales. We got this mileage on flat roads in Wyoming. Hills made me clench my teeth. If the gas tank was larger, it wouldn’t be so bad.
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Great Suv
Leonardo P., 09/02/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Well rouned suv.. With so much options it wasnt easy picking an suv. The wife and me we drove alot of testers. Our top 2 options were the toyota highlander and the subaru ascent. We ended up with the subaru ascent we found it has a better more nimble ride almost car like. We are lovng it. Its too soon to write a review on reliability yet. But so far we're very impressed.
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A love/hate relationship with my Ascent.
AM8, 09/06/2024
2021 Subaru Ascent 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I recently purchased an Ascent after owning a Toyota RAV4 for 15 years. I really like the look of the Ascent and find it to be comfortable inside. Lots of nice features overall. My kids like the 2nd and 3rd rows (and the full sunroof is an added bonus). There’s actually quite a few things to love about the vehicle. BUT….the engine and transmission kill it for me. I hate the driving experience. The engine noise during acceleration from 0 - 35 is obnoxiously loud. During acceleration the vehicle stutters and hesitates through the gears. It’s a terrible experience and I get frustrated every time I drive to work. I plan to trade in my Ascent after just 3 months of ownership. I’m willing to take a financial hit just to get rid of the vehicle. I won’t buy another Subaru.
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Recommended for older, with grandchildren.
Nick, 05/03/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
The most safe car on market , especially for having fan traveling wit grand kids.
Mismatched leather, cold seata
Michaelsean72, 10/25/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought a new Ascent at Royal in Bloomington, IN - an hour away. Picked up at dusk, so I didn’t notice the ivory leather trim that runs from the dash to the doors didn’t match… by a lot. The headrests were also a different color than the seats - black headrests, dark gray seats. The first cold weather we had, I tried the seat warmers-even on high you could barely tell they were on. Dealership’s service manager gaslighted and Subaru corporate insists the leather codes match. Fool me once, Subaru. Never again… this car was put together with spare parts.
Wish I liked it
tacmup, 01/07/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
Weird lurch at low rpm. Radio Always came on when starting. Interior plastics scratch so easily!!! And I have seen naval fuzz thicker than the Car‘s carpet. It wasn’t for me.
Poor infotainment
Prit G, 10/02/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
8 of 17 people found this review helpful
It’s annoying player start when start vehicle, Bluetooth poor quality connection, default map is like 20 year old kbps speed loading, it’s annoying, infotainment is not easy to use screen brightness adjustment is poor, this is 2021 and look like 1960 system, I didn’t notice when I buy car , I have with Subaru name but poor poor poor, I have made mistake .never buy again Subaru,
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Amazing Family SUV
Alicia L, 04/30/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 8 people found this review helpful
I'm beyond impressed with the safety, roominess in the cabin for up to 8, ease while driving in winter conditions. This is my first Subaru and I can definitely say I'm a buyer for life.
Subaru Ascent is fantastic
Ascent Owner in Ohio, 06/29/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 8 people found this review helpful
The Subaru Ascent is a fantastic small SUV. It is extremely comfortable for both long and short trips. We regularly travel for our kids sports and this is easy to drive (adaptive cruise control), extremely comfortable and holds all of our kids equipment easily. Captains chairs are highly recommended, especially with adults or older kids riding in the back. Handles great. Safety features (lane assist, steering responsive headlights, seat belt alerts on ALL seats, blindspot assistance, etc.) are excellent. Apple Car Play is great. Technology interface is easy to navigate. Fantastic SUV!
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Getting Lost with the Subaru GPS
Rudy Vranes, 01/25/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 8 people found this review helpful
The GPS on the 2021 Subaru Ascent Limited is unsatisfactory for the price paid. When compared to Toyota and Honda, there is no comparison. We find our way using our phones is easier than using the Subaru GPS. When discussing this with Subaru, they have no response or answer. I was informed by a Subaru technician to plug in my phone and use google maps, which was not the answer I expected. I will never by another Subaru. Looking forward to the day I trade in the Subaru.
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Safe & Large Enough for Found Treasures
Ann M, 12/09/2021
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
I enjoy the size and comfort of the Subaru. The road noise is minimal. There is some wind noise from the roof rack cross-bars but I think I need to reposition them to alleviate the noise.
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Great passenger and tow vehicle
Sue from Suburban IL, 12/10/2021
updated 06/07/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is our 2nd 2021 Ascent and 3rd Subaru. The first was rear ended by a semi hauling steel and protected us perfectly in the accident. The ride comfort is the best of any car we have owned to date, and we tow a 22' travel trailer all over the country with ease and more than adequate power and complete peace of mind. UPDATE: This car does it all for us: tows our 22' travel trailer with ease, can accomodate our grandchildren's car seats and still comfortable seat 4 adults with luggage, allows me with a lousy back to drive in complete comfort, and has given us trouble free ownership with all the safety technology and security we were looking for with the design and functionality we wanted without breaking the bank. We have owned and rented many cars throughout the years. This is without question the best one we've ever owned. Period. And this is our 2nd 2021 Ascent. Our 1st was rear ended by a semi hauling steel and totaled. My husband and I were alone in the car at the time. We were so well protected by our Subaru that we walked away from the accident. My only other recommendation after that accident would be to encourage everyone to subscribe to Starlink so that you can immediately get authorities and assistance to the scene of any emergency with the touch of a button. We literally didn't have to wait a second for the Sherriff and Subaru to be on our speaker system talking to us. It is an invaluable technology.
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Love our comfy & roomy Ascent!
Lucky Duck, 08/29/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Perfect family car! Fits 3 dog crates, which was most important to us. This SUV has great power on the road & we are very comfortable in the front seats with plenty of room to stretch our feet. Lots of room for 7 passengers & a roof rails included. We felt that this is the best SUV with best safety results for our family.
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Engine Issues and Low MPG
SUV guy, 09/08/2023
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I’ve had my 2021 Ascent for over 2 years. The engine hesitates between 25-35 mph speeds. Engine actually stalled on me once pulling into traffic. I average 15 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. Not 20 to 26 mpg. The 4 cylinder turbo engine is too small for this vehicle. The Subaru service person admitted to me these are known problems with Subaru and customers remain unhappy. Recommend sending complaints to Subaru executives.
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Love my Ascent!!
Her name is Pearl♥️, 11/16/2020
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 10 people found this review helpful
My 2021 Ascent is perfect! It's like they thought of everything needed to make the perfect car! Couldn't be happier!
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Great Road SUV (with space, style and utility)
VB3Trees, 11/29/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is a great road car, nice for actually driving. It has plenty of safety, road handling smarts, space, interior style and utility. Drives very well. Has a great acceleration and handling around corners for an SUV. It has pretty good turn radius too. The Info display and stereo are easy to use and great for your blue tooth devices. Great sound in this touring model.
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Is there a sixth star?
Ascent Owner, 10/05/2021
updated 10/08/2024
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
That's what I'd give my Ascent Limited after driving it for 4 years. No problems whatsoever. Rides and handles great, comfortable, roomy, good gas mileage, great acceleration getting onto the highway, not to mention how nice it looks. One weird thing is that every time you start the car, the radio comes on even if you had shut it off. [same as my 2018 Outback]. I can live with that.
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A Good Ascent
Finbear, 10/03/2022
updated 10/07/2024
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Lots of room. Nice steering and suspension. The Climate control system needs attention by the Subaru Engineers. Needs more horsepower.
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I'm only driving right now because of my Subaru
Kat G, 07/10/2022
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I was a kid, i couldn't wait to start driving. It meant freedom to me, I could do and get things I needed when I needed them. I loved driving, for at least 28+ years. I always wanted a Subaru. Had a hard time finding one , one I could afford. Timing. In my early 20"s I wanted a SUV. Limited Ford Explorer 5L V8, champagne pearl color, rare all the way around. I had her for almost 20 years. My oldest started driving. I wanted him to be safe. The explorer was very safe so I gave it to him. Subaru didn't have an SUV. The Outback was a little too small. I was driving a Camry. It was ok but not. I started test driving Outbacks here and there and fell in love more. I just really started not feeling confident, comfortable about driving myself anywhere. I'd wait for my husband to be home so he could drive me. Now I'm 44 and pregnant, yikes! My husband just happened to get approved to buy a new car. We decided with a baby on the way it had to be an Outback. We got a new one. Then about 2 months later the Ascent came out. Meanwhile, the Outback made me feel so safe! All the safety features help me drive better. It has brought back some of my confidence in driving. Wait, what...we want that Subaru SUV! We do love the Outback just needs a little more room. A year later we traded for the Ascent. It's perfect. It's larger but drives like a small car. It's flexible, comfortable, it rides so, so, so nice, smooth, quiet. I love the Brand, all they do. I love the Ascent. And the Outback!
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The Family Subaru
Nick, 05/25/2023
2021 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love the standard features. There are so many that even come on the basic model. Having 8 seat belts and rear air conditioning is a winner. Cons - I only have two complaints. The third row is really comfortable only for people that are short. I am 5’3 and it was a little uncomfortable in the 3rd row. I suggest making the car a little longer to give more 3rd row legroom and a big trunk area. Also, you can only use the cargo shade if the 3rd row is down. It is kind of pointless when the trunk is small. Once the 3rd row is down, there is a lot of space. Overall, I still rate it as a 5.5 of 5. I love it so much, I bought a 2023 model.
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Amazing gas mileage and great for towing
Dave and Lisa, 06/06/2023
updated 06/09/2025
2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 9th Subaru and 2nd Ascent. We have 80,000 miles and have towed our 4500lbs Winnebago about 35,000 miles. The computer manages the anti sway issues negating the need for anti sway bars or a distributive hitch. Amazing tow through the Rockies and across the plains of the Dakotas. The only negative is the 19gal fuel tank which at 11mpg while towing requires frequent gas stops. At 65,000 miles the transmission failed -CVT — it Apparantly was a known problem as Subaru replaced the transmission immediately providing a new Outback as a loaner. The repair took only 4 days and the vehicle has run perfectly ever since. I continue to get 10-11 mpg towing, 25-26 mog hwy and 23-24 mpg around town. A wonderful car!
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Cinnamon babe
W.G. Roberts , 10/16/2023
2021 Subaru Ascent Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Liked everything except I am a V6 engine fan. Turbo 4 has good power. A bit noisy at the lower acceleration levels.
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