2023 Subaru Ascent

At least it’s robust. The dash design rather typifies the Ascent’s interior – underwhelming yet highly competent. The hazard warning button is exactly where you’d want it, the infotainment and heater dials are physical rather than haptic, and everything moves with a sense of solidity. There are no gimmicky mesh films or eyeball vents here – just pragmatic components that will last the test of time. Subaru is renowned for constructing unburstable vehicles, and the Ascent feels well screwed together and reassuringly solid.

It's also big in here. In certain configurations, you can seat eight in the Ascent’s airy cabin, and the third row will accommodate adults. The second row is particularly spacious, with 39 inches of legroom, while wide rear doors make ingress and egress child’s play. The base trim is the only one missing out on a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and despite accommodating eight adults in (relative) comfort, there’s 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind row three. That’s especially impressive considering the Ascent is less than 200 inches long, meaning it’s fairly easy to park.

Safe and secure. As well as being solidly assembled, the Ascent is extremely safe. It has top scores from America’s two safety agencies, while that blocky exterior design means outward visibility is surprisingly good. Electronic driver aids include automatic emergency braking, active lane control and adaptive cruise. We’re less enamored with the EyeSight driver assistance tech, which bings and bongs rather too much, but at least you always know what’s going on around you.

Base Ascents are relatively basic, so we’d move up a trim to Premium. It’s the first model to offer second-row captain’s chairs, and the first to come as standard with a heated and power-adjustable driver’s seat, rear climate and blind-spot monitoring. Touring trim’s Harman Kardon stereo and ventilated front seats come at a premium – around $47,000 – which reduces the Ascent’s value offering but still compares favorably to some competitors. Less favorable is the warranty, which is a basic three-year/36,000-mile affair.

Good road manners. Let’s accept at the outset that the Ascent is no ball of fire, and no track day companion. What’s more important is refinement, ride, and road-holding, and it performs strongly in all three regards. Considering the latter first, standard AWD and 8.7 inches of ground clearance gives this relatively low-riding SUV decent performance when black becomes green. The steering is quick (if rather lacking in feedback), and ride comfort is particularly good across pockmarked urban roads.

Plant your right foot, and you won’t be pressed back in the seat. Even so, the 260 hp 2.4-liter gas engine makes moderately fast progress, though it does protest too much. The CVT transmission is less hysterical than many examples we’ve tested, helping keep the turbocharger performing well. Unless you’re at full capacity, it’ll be fine for accelerating past trucks on the highway. Your wallet will be less happy with a heavy right foot, with a combined fuel economy of just 23 MPG and no hybrid options.

Final thoughts. Subaru has always retained enviable brand loyalty among its customers, and there’s nothing about the Ascent which might concern the faithful. It’s not particularly stylish, it offers little in the way of cutting-edge technology, and its overly light steering is mated to an occasionally raucous engine and a CVT gearbox.

For most current and/or prospective Subaru buyers, these criticisms are irrelevant. They’ll be more interested in the Ascent’s impressive cabin and cargo space (despite its surprisingly compact body), with everything assembled robustly and laid out logically. The new 11.4-inch touchscreen is a big improvement on its predecessor, while standard AWD and generous safety equipment ticks the right pragmatic boxes. In mid-range Premium trim, this is a quietly impressive SUV, and one which will remain roadworthy long after some of its flashier rivals have met the crusher.

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