Used 2020 Subaru Ascent

#7 in Best Midsize SUVs for 2020

Top 10 Features of the 2020 Subaru Outback

#1. All-wheel drive is standard
The usual, much-appreciated Subaru practice. And 8.7 inches of ground clearance is handy on dirt roads or where there’s a build-up of snow.

#2. High-strength steel shell
This new generation of Outback launching for 2020 is made of sterner stuff than before, bolstering an already excellent reputation for crashworthiness.

#3. Best crash test scores
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2020 Outback a maximum 5-star overall score and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made it a “Top Safety Pick Plus.”

#4. Many safety features included
Such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and active lane centering. Plus LED headlights with automatic high beams and a head-up display for alerts.

#5. Decent fuel economy
Depending on engine choice in the 2020 Outback, drivers can see a combined city/highway average of 26 mpg or 29 mpg. That’s pretty good, considering all-wheel drive is always in the picture.

#6. Roof rails
Not particularly exciting in and of themselves, they also come with tie-down points and integrated retractable crossbars, creating many happy campers. An optional side step attaches to a rear wheel.

#7. Chimani
The 2020 Outback is the first Subaru to offer this app. It’s a virtual guide to more than 400 national parks in the United States.

#8. Safety & Security Plus
Among other things, this optional plan brings teen driver limits, vehicle location and remote start functions.

#9. Generous maximum cargo area
With the rear seats folded down, there’s a massive 75.7 cubic feet to fill up with luggage, furniture, musical instruments, ski gear, etc.

#10. Dog-friendly seat covers
We love them, but their hair and drool aren’t the nicest car accessories. A dealer-installed option for the 2020 Outback.

Overview

The Subaru Ascent returns for 2020 with new family-friendly safety features such as an alert system that reminds the driver to check the rear seat before leaving the vehicle. This is exactly the kind of clever thinking that makes the Ascent the quintessential 3-row/8-passenger SUV. In addition to its sporty styling and handsome interior, the Ascent forgoes the traditional 6-cylinder engine in favor of a potent turbocharged 4-cylinder that delivers big horsepower and good fuel economy. Standard all-wheel drive gives the Ascent a leg up over the Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Highlander, while its attractive pricing, strong resale and standard features make it a better value than the Chevy Traverse or Ford Explorer.

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The 2020 Subaru Ascent’s turbocharged 4-cylinder engine offers plenty of power — 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which is in line with comparable midsize SUVs. The Subaru had an easy time getting up to speed and showed no signs of running out of steam on grades or twisty roads. You’ll have plenty of power for freeway passing maneuvers and getting on the highway, and this engine serves as a good compromise of power, capability and fuel economy. Straight-line driving is relaxed and comfortable, the interior is quiet, and the seats have the right support for use on day-long drives. Visibility is quite good in all directions, plus the A-pillar is narrow enough to make room for a larger glass area, which allows the driver to see more of the road at the front corners.

The new Ascent also shows signs of sportiness, with its handling, steering and braking. On twisty roads, the handling and quick steering response make this 3-row SUV feel agile, like a smaller vehicle. Braking is also quite good, responsive without being touchy, and there’s no mushy pedal feel.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent has an interior that is warm and welcoming, yet highly practical with seating for seven or eight passengers. Controls are a mix of easy-to-reach buttons and knobs. Niceties include 3-zone climate control (standard), seat heaters and a panoramic moonroof. Seat materials are either cloth, spill-repellent cloth, or leather. Apple CarPlay is standard. The third row is easy to access, thanks to doors that open wide and a pleasantly low step-in height. There’s enough knee room for kids, but it’s tight for taller adults — unless you politely ask a 2nd-row passenger to slide his seat forward.

The rear seats basically fold flat — flatter if you opt for the regular bench instead of the more-bolstered captain’s chairs — and when folded, create room for more than 86 cubic feet of cargo. That’s more volume than in the Highlander, Explorer and Pilot, but a bit shy of the new Kia Telluride. The cargo area has a nice, wide opening that makes loading gear a snap, as well as an available power liftgate. There’s even a storage cubby under the load floor where you can stow the cargo area cover when it’s not in use.

When you see the new Ascent, you will know right away it’s a Subaru. It’s larger than an Outback, but the proportions and shape are similar. There are four trim levels: base, Premium, Limited and Touring. Roof rails and 18-inch wheels are standard; 20-inch wheels are available. Limited and higher Ascents have LED headlights and fog lights, plus lower-door cladding with chrome accents. Touring models add side mirrors in satin silver, chrome door handles, and a chrome front skidplate. The Ascent’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance give the SUV a confident stance and plenty of height for moderate off-roading.

ADVANCED SAFETY
While some Ascent competitors offer partial or fully optional driver assists, Subaru’s EyeSight is standard on every model. Included in the package are pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure and sway warning and a head-up display warning. Available upgrades include blind-spot detection, reverse automatic braking, rear cross-traffic assist, a front-view monitor and auto high-beam assist.

REAR-SEAT REMINDER
This simple but vital standard feature operates by detecting if either of the rear doors has been opened and closed within 30 minutes of the following three scenarios: starting the car, the vehicle is running and stationary or the vehicle is turned off and back on again while the rear doors remain closed. An audible tone and reminder message in the top display panel remind the driver to check the rear seats before exiting the vehicle.

The most basic Ascent comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 8-passenger seating, Eyesight, 3-zone climate control, cloth seats, X-mode, hill-descent control, Active Torque Vectoring, Rear Seat Reminder, 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, auto on/off wiper-linked headlights, paddle shifters, 19 cup holders, 6-way manual-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining 60/40-split-folding 2nd-row and 3rd-row seats, cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering column, Starlink 6.5-inch infotainment system with apps, SiriusXM, an AM/FM/CD stereo, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, air vents in all three rows, a rearview camera and keyless entry.

You can opt for blind-spot detection with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, LED lighting, panoramic moonroof, heated side mirrors, keyless entry with push-button start, 20-inch wheels, and a power liftgate. Inside, you can step up to a choice of spill-repellent cloth or leather seats, power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats, and captain’s chairs in the second row. On the tech side, Wi-Fi, navigation, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, up to six USB ports, and an 8-inch screen are offered. An available smart rearview mirror uses a camera to show you what’s behind your vehicle, even when the rear window is blocked (like when your Ascent is full of camping gear).

Power for the 2020 Subaru Ascent comes from a WRX-inspired 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer engine. Good for 260 horsepower, this engine is mated to a CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission) with a simulated 8-speed stepped transmission. A set of steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters can be used to manually change gears. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard, and includes the off-road-enhancing X-mode, as well as hill-descent control and Active Torque Vectoring. Due to their additional standard equipment, the Limited and Touring trims weigh more than the base and Premium, resulting in a 1-mpg reduction in fuel economy.

2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4
260 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
277 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 mpg, 20/26 mpg (Limited/Touring)