The 2021 Subaru Ascent is the biggest Subaru ever, making it the perfect choice for a large family. With seating for seven or eight spread across three rows, you'll have enough space for everyone to ride together, whether you're setting off for a weekend trip or taking the kids to school. But what about some of the Ascent's other stand-out features? Let's take a look.
Engine and Performance
The 2021 Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged V-4 BOXER engine, supplying a solid 260 horsepower. All-wheel drive comes as a standard feature, and the engine's power is delivered to all four wheels by a continuously variable transmission. Its off-roading capabilities are strong thanks to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which gives it an edge over several competitors in the same class. In addition, Subaru's X-Mode setting improves wheel traction on slippery surfaces and gives you more control on steep gradients.
The turbocharged engine can tow a load of up to 5,000 pounds. The engine can also accelerate quickly compared to other vehicles in its class.
Fuel Economy
With its standard features, the Ascent manages 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. If you opt for one of the higher Limited or Touring trims, the gas mileage drops to 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. This is due to the larger, 20-inch wheels on the top trims in place of the 18-inch wheels available with the standard setup.
Seating Capacity
The 2021 Ascent's standard seating arrangement offers room for eight people, with benches able to fit three in the second and third rows. The bench seating offers strong support and space for adult passengers.
If you'd like more comfort, you can replace the second-row bench with captain's chairs, which reduces your Ascent's capacity to seven. The captain's chairs are available for an extra charge with the Premium trim and come standard with the Limited and Touring trims.
The Ascent is ideally suited for traveling with several kids. The second row of seating has two complete sets of latch connectors for child car seats on its outermost seats. The middle seat in the second row is fitted with an upper tether and one lower anchor. Back in the third row, you'll get one complete set of latch connectors on the driver's side and upper tethers for the remaining two seats.
Cargo Storage
The Ascent outperforms several competitors in the mid-sized SUV class with 17.8 cubic feet of cargo storage space behind the third row. If that's not enough for you, you'll get 47.5 cubic feet of storage space with the third row folded down, and 86.5 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
Another feature of the Ascent is its sturdy roof rails, providing secure storage space to carry larger items. Inside the cabin, you'll find an impressive 19 holders for cups and bottles, ensuring that you and your passengers stay hydrated no matter how long your drive is.
Infotainment and Technology
The Subaru Ascent's standard infotainment system comes with a 6.5-inch screen and is easy to use. It's also equipped with a six-speaker sound system, four USB ports, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
If you choose to upgrade to a higher trim, you can benefit from an 8-inch screen, 14-speaker sound system, and built-in navigation system. You'll also get two USB ports for the third row, which will prove helpful if all your passengers need to keep their devices charged while you're on the go.
Other standard technology features include a tri-zone climate control system and keyless entry, both of which come standard. You can add second-row climate controls, push-button start, and remote engine start for an additional cost or with the Ascent's higher trims.
Driver Assistance
One of the Ascent's strongest areas is its safety record, as shown by the top marks it received in crash testing. A variety of safety and driver assistance features are standard as part of Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance package, including steering-responsive LED headlights, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. You'll also have a rearview camera and rear-row seatbelt reminders.
Subaru's STARLINK Safety and Security system provides you with other useful safety features, including advanced automatic collision notifications, which automatically inform an operator if you've been in an accident. A further useful feature is the SOS emergency assistance, which allows you to call for help at the touch of a button. The STARLINK Safety and Security system is available from the Premium trim and up.
A Wide Variety of Trims
The 2021 Ascent features four trims to cater to a range of budgets. These trims are the base trim, Premium, Limited, and Touring.
Retailing at just over $32,000, the base trim is equipped with all standard safety features, manually adjustable front seats, and cloth upholstery in the cabin. The Premium trim has a starting price of $34,750 and comes equipped with the larger 8-inch infotainment screen, stain-resistant upholstery, and a wireless hotspot. In addition, you can add the captain's chairs to the second row for an additional charge.
If you'd rather opt for the top-end trims, the Ascent Limited starts at $39,595. With this, you'll get leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, additional USB ports for the third seating row, and heated first-row and second-row seating. The top-of-the-range Touring trim, which has a starting price tag of over $45,000, gives you a 14-speaker sound system, ventilated front seats, a panoramic moonroof, and a voice-activated navigation system.
So, there you have it! We've given you the rundown of some of the 2021 Ascent's best features. Do you still have questions about anything to do with the Subaru Ascent? Or would you like to learn more about alternatives in the Subaru lineup? Don't hesitate to reach out today to our friendly team of auto sales specialists, who will be happy to answer your questions. Better yet, contact us today to start the buying process for your new Subaru.
Image via Flickr by Automobile Italia
