Tech Insider
A 2024 Subaru Ascent Touring SUV in Dark Mahogany Pearl
Our 2024 Subaru Ascent Touring test car in Dark Mahogany Pearl

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

  • The Subaru Ascent is a midsize, all-wheel-drive, three-row family SUV.
  • I recently reviewed a $50,000 2024 Subaru Ascent in the Touring trim.
  • I loved the Subaru Ascent's powerful engine, Symmetrical AWD system, and EyeSight safety system.

Competition is fierce among carmakers for family SUV sales. Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia have all recently introduced all-new or updated three-row family SUVs.

Subaru threw its hat into the ring in 2019 with the Ascent, giving loyal Forester, Impreza, and Outback drivers a legitimate three-row SUV option.

After a few years on the market, Subaru updated the Ascent with edgier styling and upgraded tech.

I recently spent a week driving a 2024 Subaru Ascent in the top-spec Touring Trim. I really enjoyed its revised styling, an impressive suite of standard safety features, and powerful engine.

Here's a closer look at some of my favorite features.

1. Subaru's 2.4-liter, turbocharged engine.
The Subaru Ascent's engine compartment with an intercooler sitting atop a FA24F turbocharged horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine.
The Subaru Ascent's FA24F turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Power for the Ascent comes from Subaru's F24F 2.4-liter, turbocharged, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine. The motor, which debuted back in 2019 with the Ascent, produces a stout 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The engine felt strong and robust, with a solid punch off the line.

2. The 3-camera driver assist system
The Ascent is equipped with Subaru's updated EyeSight Driver Assist System with a third camera mounted in front of the rear view mirror.
The Ascent now features Subaru's updated 3-camera EyeSight Driver Assist System.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver assistance features includes adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane departure warning, pre-collision braking, automatic emergency steering, and pre-collision throttle management, which reduces engine power when it detects potential danger ahead.

Subaru updated the system in 2023 to include a new wide-angle camera mounted above the rearview mirror for improved pedestrian and cyclist detection.

I found the updated system excellent, building upon the strong performance of previous iterations.

3. Subaru's signature Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive.
The Subaru and Symmetrical all-wheel-drive insignias are emblazoned on the lower left corner of the Ascent's rear hatch.
Subaru's signature Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive System.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Most of Subaru's rivals offer all-wheel drive as a pricey optional extra. However, the Ascent comes standard with the brand's Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system.

What also sets the Subaru apart is that its AWD system constantly sends power to all four wheels. In most of Ascent's competitors, their AWD systems only send power to the rear wheels when they detect traction loss.

4. The Starlink infotainment system and 11.6-inch touchscreen.
The 2024 Subaru Ascent's front dash features an 11.6-inch infotainment screen and is trimmed in black leather.
Subaru updated the Ascent's dash with a larger 11.6-inch screen.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The 2019-2022 Ascents' Starlink infotainment system lived in a standard 6.5-inch or optional 8.0-inch touchscreen. Starting in 2023, all Ascents come with an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen. The updated setup also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The updated Starlink Infotainment looks great and is intuitively organized. However, I did experience some occasional lag in response time, especially with the wireless Apple CarPlay.

5. The 360-degree camera system.
The Subaru Ascent's surround view monitor on its infotainment screen.
The Subaru Ascent's surround view monitor.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The optional 360-degree camera system can stitch together images from its front, rear, and side cameras to create a birds-eye view of the Ascent.

6. The rearview mirror camera
The Subaru Ascent's rearview mirror turns into a display for its rear vision camera.
The Ascent is available with a smart rear view mirror.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ascent is available with an optional rear-vision camera display embedded into the mirror. The rear camera itself is located on the tailgate at the top of the rear window. This feature really comes in handy when the Ascent is loaded up with cargo and you can't see out of the back window.

7. Quality interior.
The Subaru Ascent Touring's second-row captains chairs.
The Subaru Ascent is available with a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ascent's overall interior fit and finish are outstanding. Everything feels solidly put together with quality materials. The Ascent Touring's perforated Nappa leather seats and wood grain trim inject a dose of luxury into a cabin that puts a premium on utility.

8. The Harmon-Kardon surround sound stereo
One of the Subaru Ascent Touring's 14 Harmon Kardon speakers.
Our Subaru Ascent Touring came equipped with the optional Harmon Kardon QuantumLogic surround sound system.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ascent can be optioned with a Harman-Kardon QuantumLogic surround sound system. We enjoyed the rich and powerful sound put out by the system's 14-speakers and 792-watt amplifier.

9. A Panoramic power moonroof
The cabin of the 2024 Subaru Ascent Touring looking forward toward the large infotainment screen from the third row through the Java Brown leather seats of the front two rows.
The Subaru Ascent Touring's Java Brown leather-trimmed cabin.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ascent can be had with a large, powered panoramic moonroof that fills the cabin with light. I found it to be a worthwhile option even though it robbed the first and second-row occupants of about an inch of headroom.

10. The MySubaru App
A screenshot of the Subaru's MySubaru App that allows drivers to remotely start, lock, and unlock their vehicles.
The MySubaru App.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Ascent owners can remotely start, lock, and unlock their vehicles using their smartphones through the MySubaru App. You can also pre-set climate setting, get status reports on the all of the vehicles various systems and schedule service appoints using the app.

11. All kinds of power plugs
The Subaru Ascent has rear cabin climate controls and USB chargers behind the front seats.
The Ascent Touring has dedicated rear cabin climate controls, USB chargers, and a 120v plug behind the front seats.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ascent not only offers a large number of charging options throughout its cabin, but it also offers charging in a variety of options. Up front, there are both USB-A and USB-C plugs, along with a traditional cigarette lighter-style outlet in the dash. Second- and third-row passengers have dedicated USB-A and USB-C plugs. There is also a 120V AC power socket located in front of the second row.

12. The panoramic rear-view mirror
The Subaru Ascent's sunglass holder is equipped with a panoramic mirror.
The Ascent's panoramic mirror is a handy tool to keep tabs on your passengers.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Near the rearview mirror is a sunglass holder with an integrated panoramic mirror handy for keeping tabs on the rest of the cabin. The panoramic mirror complements the cabin connect feature on higher-trim models that amplifies the driver's voice to passengers in the back.

13. Lots of cargo room
The Subaru Ascent cabin with the second and third-row seats folded down.
The Ascent's cabin with second and third-row seats folded.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open up the powered tailgate and you'll find 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. With the third row folded, capacity increases to 42.1 cubic feet.

And with all rear seats down, the maximum cargo capacity behind the driver's seat is 72.8 cubic feet.

14. Built in sunshades
The Subaru Ascent's second row boasts captain's chairs and plenty of legroom.
The Ascent second-row captain's chairs.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Ascent can be optioned with sunshades built into its back doors. These come in handy when you run into an afternoon or morning glare.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Transportation, car-review, Subaru, subaru-ascent, SUV, Transportation, car-reviews
Source
I drove a $50,000 Subaru Ascent SUV. These were my 14 favorite features.