Good Reasons to Shop the Ascent 3-Row Crossover

The Ascent wasn’t just a positive addition to the Subaru lineup; it was a necessity. The country was filled with happy owners of Outbacks, Foresters, and other Subaru models who were outgrowing them. Either their families were expanding or their family needs were. Parents or in-laws might come for a visit and invite everyone for dinner, kids might want to take friends on a trip, or they might simply not be a family of light packers. For whatever reason, these Subaru owners needed a large 3-row SUV, and before 2018, they had little place to turn but outside the brand. However, when Subaru introduced the Ascent 3-row SUV, they created a strong option to keep loyalists in the fold and attract new ones. Twin Falls Subaru tells you why. 

Subaru fans will point out that the Ascent wasn’t the first Subaru SUV with three rows. The B9 Tribeca, built on an extended Legacy platform, could feature a third row, but it wasn’t quite large enough to meet the needs of many Subaru shoppers. The Ascent avoids this issue. At 16’ 4” long, it is just a few inches shorter and also a few inches wider than leading competitors in sales from Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, or Nissan. Like most of its rivals, it can seat either 7 or 8 passengers and ranks mid-pack in third-row legroom. 

Like all Subarus but the BRZ sports car, all Ascents have Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and thus the whole model is engineered with all-wheel drive in mind. The system includes X-Mode with specific drivetrain settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud. Even if you never intend to take the Ascent off-road, these settings can be helpful in poor weather or an unexpected diversion off the pavement. Typical of Subaru, the Ascent’s 8.7-inch ground clearance is 0.7 to 1.5 inches greater than its closest competition for those times in mud or high snowfall. 

The category is primarily divided between normally aspirated V6 and turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. The Ascent opts for the latter with its turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer (flat)-4 engine. It generates 260 horsepower, paired with 277 lb-ft of peak torque that falls just short of class-leading. Coupled with an 8-speed shiftable CVT, this torque provides the Ascent with plenty of zip around town, where it is EPA rated at 19 mpg. On the highway, the figure increases to 25.  

Most specs show the Ascent fitting well in its 3-row crossover category. In addition to its high ground clearance, a standout feature is the low beltline, paired with one of the tallest roofs in the category. This offers excellent visibility, which is very welcome in a vehicle of this size. Second-row passengers are comfortably accommodated with both USB-A and USB-C ports for their devices, as well as a standard household outlet for laptops or other electronics that need a bit more juice. The Ascent can also be equipped with an intercom so that second-row passengers can hear the front-row passengers without the latter having to turn around or raise their voices. 

Of course, the Subaru Eyesight® bundle of safety and driver assist technologies comes standard, and the Ascent has both an overall 5-Star rating from the NHTSA and is a TOP SAFETY PICK from IIHS. Furthermore, since paychecks often don’t grow in line with increasing family needs, Subaru keeps the Ascent affordable with a starting MSRP of $39,995, which puts it a few thousand below AWD competitors from Toyota or Honda. Additionally, with higher owner satisfaction and consequently high resale value, Subaru products make the Ascent a must-shop model in this category. 

We suggest you do that shopping at Twin Falls Subaru, Magic Valley’s #1 automotive retailer. We feature non-commission product specialists, a no-haggle price policy, and a large selection of Ascents in our inventory.