Is Subaru's 3-Row SUV Any Good? 2023 Subaru Ascent Review
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Date: 2023-08-31
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Comments and reviews: 19
Lion
My wife hated the CVT on the Ascent. Same for lane keep assist. Wish its disable by default and can be enabled. Wish the suspension had little more travel since off pavement on a climb wheel spins on every dip. I really love the mpg and turning headlights. Love the 3rd row room as well. I cannot say how happy I am to see the ground clearance Ascent has, excellent for snowy Colorado. As for that 2000lbs towing can't owners just use an aftermarket cooler? Because I found that with my buddy's Honda Pilot AWD (based on owners manual '22) across the board its rated 3500lbs towing before ATF cooler installed by dealer. So for Ascent may be install a ATF cooler to base model and you get 5000lbs towing? Not maybe thats asking too much from the CVT. Also I haven't tested the B mode on long down hills. Not sure if it would fade the brakes vs on a standard automatic you can really use low gears to save the brakes.
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My wife hated the CVT on the Ascent. Same for lane keep assist. Wish its disable by default and can be enabled. Wish the suspension had little more travel since off pavement on a climb wheel spins on every dip. I really love the mpg and turning headlights. Love the 3rd row room as well. I cannot say how happy I am to see the ground clearance Ascent has, excellent for snowy Colorado. As for that 2000lbs towing can't owners just use an aftermarket cooler? Because I found that with my buddy's Honda Pilot AWD (based on owners manual '22) across the board its rated 3500lbs towing before ATF cooler installed by dealer. So for Ascent may be install a ATF cooler to base model and you get 5000lbs towing? Not maybe thats asking too much from the CVT. Also I haven't tested the B mode on long down hills. Not sure if it would fade the brakes vs on a standard automatic you can really use low gears to save the brakes.
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Sam
I just can't see Subaru remaining competitive as long as they keep living in the past with their electrification strategy - or lack thereof. The Solterra is essentially dead-on-arrival, and they stopped offering their only PHEV Crosstrek instead of improving upon it. I love Subaru's practicality and soft-roading capabilities, but outdoorsy cult-like brand loyalty alone won't keep them competitive in this day and age.
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I just can't see Subaru remaining competitive as long as they keep living in the past with their electrification strategy - or lack thereof. The Solterra is essentially dead-on-arrival, and they stopped offering their only PHEV Crosstrek instead of improving upon it. I love Subaru's practicality and soft-roading capabilities, but outdoorsy cult-like brand loyalty alone won't keep them competitive in this day and age.
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Mgoblagulkablong
28: 14 first time I am hearing about this - Must depend on the area, probaly only in California, Colorado and some other areas where Subaru are more popular than usual? In other areas where Subaru is less popular the Ascent flies under the radar of most shoppers, most people don't know it exists and don't consider it, so they are easy to find below MSRP (except for the base trim probably.
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28: 14 first time I am hearing about this - Must depend on the area, probaly only in California, Colorado and some other areas where Subaru are more popular than usual? In other areas where Subaru is less popular the Ascent flies under the radar of most shoppers, most people don't know it exists and don't consider it, so they are easy to find below MSRP (except for the base trim probably.
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AC
Ironically, in Colorado the Ascent is rather easy to find (August 2023. It's not hard to find dealerships advertising prices below MSRP even for the middle trims. Maybe dealerships here get the lion's share of supply? I don't know. In any case, they seem more willing to deal on the Ascent. They even advertise prices below MSRP on Outback XTs, with the same turbocharged 2. 4L H4.
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Ironically, in Colorado the Ascent is rather easy to find (August 2023. It's not hard to find dealerships advertising prices below MSRP even for the middle trims. Maybe dealerships here get the lion's share of supply? I don't know. In any case, they seem more willing to deal on the Ascent. They even advertise prices below MSRP on Outback XTs, with the same turbocharged 2. 4L H4.
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Mike
Alex great review. Usual high standard. I just bought a Limited in the New England area and got it for 4K off the sticker. Was happy with that price and what you get in this crowded segment. FYI you can order the option package 23 on a Limited or Onyx LTD and get the Harmon stereo along with the 360 camera and the moonroof. Adds about 3200 to the price.
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Alex great review. Usual high standard. I just bought a Limited in the New England area and got it for 4K off the sticker. Was happy with that price and what you get in this crowded segment. FYI you can order the option package 23 on a Limited or Onyx LTD and get the Harmon stereo along with the 360 camera and the moonroof. Adds about 3200 to the price.
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dan
So still less MPG than Palisade/Telluride, still less legroom than Palisade/Telluride, still uglier lol. How come Palisade that was first produced in 2018 in Korea is still a better overall package and still looks better than this? I mean what were Subaru doing for 5 years since then?
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So still less MPG than Palisade/Telluride, still less legroom than Palisade/Telluride, still uglier lol. How come Palisade that was first produced in 2018 in Korea is still a better overall package and still looks better than this? I mean what were Subaru doing for 5 years since then?
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Mgoblagulkablong
great value for people who want AWD and often available with discounts below MSRP, huge OTD price difference to many AWD competitors
edit: didn't know about the great headlights even in base trim, makes the value even better
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great value for people who want AWD and often available with discounts below MSRP, huge OTD price difference to many AWD competitors
edit: didn't know about the great headlights even in base trim, makes the value even better
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autos
You make some of the best auto videos out there. Too big and looks like all the other grande SUV s. You know it, I know it, the American people know it, and nobody blinks an eye when they dish out 50 grand for one of these things.
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You make some of the best auto videos out there. Too big and looks like all the other grande SUV s. You know it, I know it, the American people know it, and nobody blinks an eye when they dish out 50 grand for one of these things.
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Peizxcv
My biggest issue with this is how long the car is for the short cabin. Here in New York, the longer your car is the harder it is to street park. This looks like it could easily be a foot shorter
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My biggest issue with this is how long the car is for the short cabin. Here in New York, the longer your car is the harder it is to street park. This looks like it could easily be a foot shorter
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Jonathan
Alex, I love the color of the simulated wood trim also. It looks believable and Subaru did a great job with it. I do agree with the poor placement of the 2nd row cup holders though.
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Alex, I love the color of the simulated wood trim also. It looks believable and Subaru did a great job with it. I do agree with the poor placement of the 2nd row cup holders though.
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alex_on_autos
Alex how dare you take a shot at Star Wars. Cladding saved the empire. Come on. The fuel mileage is disappointing. I need over 24 mpg for my household budget.
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Alex how dare you take a shot at Star Wars. Cladding saved the empire. Come on. The fuel mileage is disappointing. I need over 24 mpg for my household budget.
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Richey
Alex, have you noticed a change in buying habbits due to the high apr we're all locked into? Any word on companies making cheaper cars (lilke the versa and rio)
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Alex, have you noticed a change in buying habbits due to the high apr we're all locked into? Any word on companies making cheaper cars (lilke the versa and rio)
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Right
Alex, In a world where one can buy or wait interminably for a 35 mpg Highlander Hybrid with an equally cramped third row, why would anyone want an Ascent?
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Alex, In a world where one can buy or wait interminably for a 35 mpg Highlander Hybrid with an equally cramped third row, why would anyone want an Ascent?
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None
At least it finally looks attractive
Even though they copied Chevrolet's split grille
No worries
The Chevy's will always catch my eye till the
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At least it finally looks attractive
Even though they copied Chevrolet's split grille
No worries
The Chevy's will always catch my eye till the
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autos
The most boring SUV I ever seen in my life. I won t even give it a second look. Can t get no street cred with this swole baluga whale Ascent.
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The most boring SUV I ever seen in my life. I won t even give it a second look. Can t get no street cred with this swole baluga whale Ascent.
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Sukhdeep
Can you please do a comparison video between Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover SE LWB? I really would like to see your views. Thank you!
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Can you please do a comparison video between Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover SE LWB? I really would like to see your views. Thank you!
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Daniel
The Ascent looks more like a pregnant Forester. Although I definitely prefer the plastic wood interior trim over awful piano black trim.
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The Ascent looks more like a pregnant Forester. Although I definitely prefer the plastic wood interior trim over awful piano black trim.
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bennie
Still loving my pre nose job Ascent. If Subaru ever builds a hybrid wilderness edition Ascent then they can take my money.
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Still loving my pre nose job Ascent. If Subaru ever builds a hybrid wilderness edition Ascent then they can take my money.
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Ron
Very good review. you know your stuff! It is great to have someone who knows their vehicle when doing a video! Thank You
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Very good review. you know your stuff! It is great to have someone who knows their vehicle when doing a video! Thank You
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