Used 2021 Subaru Ascent Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) Consumer Reviews
Used Ascent for sale
Fantastic engine, sketchy CVT
Joe Mama, Windsor, CO, 01/02/2021
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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I'm Not A Subaru Girl... Am I?
Laney, Las Vegas, NV, 05/24/2021
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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2021 Subaru Ascent for sale near you
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Ascent’s hesitation issue
Michael Pinard, Cocoa, FL, 10/21/2020
updated 10/21/2021
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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Mediocre at best
TexasLeather, Melissa, TX, 01/12/2022
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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Hesitation and slipping
Disgusted buyer, Pierz, MN, 02/03/2022
updated 02/06/2023
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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