30,000-Mile Update

Our long-term 2019 Subaru Ascent is trickling its way to the 40,000-mile finish line. The Ascent doesn't attract much attention for its driving dynamics, and with more enticing newcomers in our fleet, such as the Ram 1500 and the Kia Telluride, it isn't our go-to for long hauls. As the miles tick away, though, the big Subie continues doing what it does best, shuffling around people and their stuff.

We previously put the Ascent's 5000-pound towing capacity to work hauling a girthy enclosed snowmobile trailer. More recently, staff editor Drew Dorian tugged an Airstream Caravel travel trailer to Michigan's beachy west coast. Though the Subaru towed the luxurious tin can without much drama, pulling the bluff-faced Airstream on the highway worked the Ascent's turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four like a pack mule. With the continuously variable transmission unable to employ its higher virtual ratios, the Ascent guzzled premium gasoline to the tune of 9 mpg. Nevertheless, Dorian commended the Subaru's highway stability with a trailer in tow, but only after disabling the hyperactive lane-keeping assist. When that system is activated, the Ascent has a tendency to stray between the lines, causing the Airstream to wag behind the ute like a dog's tail. Dorian also complimented the cargo hold's ample space and its ability to swallow a weekend's worth of camping supplies.

View Photos Drew Dorian Car and Driver

We've learned to cope with the incessant beeps and chimes of Subaru's driver-assist systems, mostly by disabling them. However, copy chief Carolyn Pavia-Rauchman found yet another peeve related to distracted driving. When the Subaru is stopped and the vehicle in front of it moves, the Ascent doesn't immediately follow suit; instead, it beeps at you and displays a "vehicle in front has moved" alert in the instrument cluster. Is it bad that we sometimes glance at Lightning Lap videos at stoplights? The Ascent thinks so.

So far, our Ascent has not experienced any major hiccups. Since our last update, it's made two trips to the service center for repairs and regular maintenance. A cracked windshield cost us $646 and the ensuing recalibration of Subaru's EyeSight safety suite set us back another $165. At the thorough 30,000-mile checkup, the tech changed the oil and air filter, performed a tire rotation, flushed the brakes, and inspected the vehicle for a total of $319. That puts us $701 into the red for scheduled maintenance.

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

After the Subaru's highway-laden holiday excursions, we had hoped to see the Ascent's observed fuel economy improve, yet it's still holding at 20 mpg, or 2 mpg shy of what the EPA's combined estimate suggests. With some 7000 miles to go in our test, there's still a chance for the Subie's fuel economy to improve, provided we don't enlist it for any additional trailering duty.

Months in Fleet: 14 months Current Mileage: 33,181 miles

Average Fuel Economy: 20 mpg

Fuel-Tank Size: 19.3 gal Observed Fuel Range: 380 miles

Service: $701 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

Damage and Destruction: $811

Specifications Specifications 2019 Subaru Ascent

VEHICLE TYPE

front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door hatchback PRICE AS TESTED

$46,743 (base price: $45,670) ENGINE TYPE

turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement

146 in3, 2387 cm3

Power

260 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque

277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm TRANSMISSION

continuously variable automatic with manual shifting mode CHASSIS

Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink

Brakes (F/R): 13.1-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc

Tires: Falken Ziex ZE001 A/S, 245/50R-20 102H M+S DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 113.8 in

Length: 196.8 in

Width: 76.0 in

Height: 71.6 in

Passenger volume: 148 ft3

Cargo volume: 18 ft3

Curb weight: 4656 lb C/D TEST RESULTS: NEW

Rollout, 1ft: 0.3 sec

60 mph: 6.4 sec

100 mph: 17.5 sec

120 mph: 30.2 sec

Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.0 sec

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.7 sec

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.8 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 15.1 sec @ 94 mph

Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 168 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g

C/D

FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 20 mpg

Unscheduled oil additions: 0 qt EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/city/highway: 22/20/26 mpg WARRANTY

3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper;

5 years/60,000 miles powertrain;

5 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection;

3 years/36,000 miles roadside assistance Expand Collapse

20,000-Mile Update

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

Ten months, three seasons, and almost 25,000 miles have passed since we took delivery of our long-term Subaru Ascent. Over that time, we've acclimated ourselves to the mushy continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that manages the low-end grunt of the 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, but it's the Subie's driver-assist systems that continue to provoke grumblings in the logbook.

Are drivers really this distracted? Subaru must have some data to think so. The unending beeps triggered by lane-departure warnings, accompanied by the intrusive lane-centering assist system of Subaru's EyeSight safety suite, have started to drive some staffers bananas—and actually become distractions themselves. "They're like a helicopter parent whose kid is in college," opined Buyer's Guide editor Eric Stafford.

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

Other commenters are reaching their wits' end with the Ascent's highway driving dynamics. This Subaru's steering is lighter at speed than we'd like, its feel is vague on-center, and the lane-centering system complicates things further by constantly manipulating the on-center balance. Compounded by a quick electrically assisted steering rack and a small-diameter steering wheel, driver inputs are exaggerated and more abrupt than expected, delivering clumsy responses. Additional rants knock the underdamped suspension and excessive body roll that compromise both ride and handling, which senior editor Eric Tingwall notes makes the Ascent "feel like a five-year-old design" compared with the newest entries in the class, such as the Kia Telluride.

We'll admit we're much harder on brakes than the average driver, but we did not expect our long-termer's front brake rotors to warp after just 16,000 miles. The dealer resurfaced the rotors free of charge, and the pulsing brake pedal has yet to return. Otherwise, the Subie has become a poster child for reliability, with routine oil changes, inspections, and tire rotations every 6000 miles and cabin air filter replacements every 12,000. The Ascent has removed $382 from our pockets thus far.

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

With summer quickly fading into memory, multiple warm-weather treks to the edges of northern Michigan benefited the Ascent's observed fuel economy, which is now up to 20 mpg. Still, the inability to stretch a fill of the 19.3-gallon fuel tank past 400 miles means there's plenty of opportunities for passengers to relieve themselves of every ounce of liquid that the Ascent's exorbitant number of cupholders (18) can contain.

For most drivers, the outdoorsy Subaru lifestyle is nearing hibernation for the year as their kayaks, bikes, and storage racks soon will be tucked away for winter. The all-wheel-drive Ascent itself, however, should trudge through the white stuff with little problem once we reinstall its Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tires.

Months in Fleet: 10 months Current Mileage: 24,983 miles

Average Fuel Economy: 20 mpg

Fuel-Tank Size: 19.3 gal Observed Fuel Range: 380 miles

Service: $382 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

Damage and Destruction: $0

10,000-Mile Update

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

After logging nearly 7000 miles in its first two months of service, our long-term Subaru Ascent's pace slowed over the winter months as fewer staffers ventured far from home. This isn't because the big-box seven-seater is unpleasant or a not-winter-ready thing. Our low usage was more a reflection of current market trends, as our fleet is flush with family haulers: Right now, we have seven utility vehicles, two station wagons, two pickups, and a van all vying for the attention of staff members planning a long journey.

Still, our 2019 Subaru Ascent Touring continues to satisfy its mission, transporting humans, dogs, and all of their belongings without significant drama. Since our getting-acquainted period, the frequency of comments in the logbook has trailed off. This can often mean one of two things: The vehicle doesn't inspire drivers to bestow accolades, or it does nothing badly enough to excite us to put pen to paper to ridicule its flaws. In the Ascent's case, we think it's a mixture of both and ultimately a sign that the Ascent isn't polarizing.

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

Staffers continue to praise the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine's bottom-end punch, even if the initial throttle tip-in is a bit hyperactive. The combination of the Ascent's standard all-wheel-drive system and the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tires we installed shrugged off the frigid months, during which our not-so-scientific test drivers found that the ute's fascia is too close to the ground to climb the snowy parking-lot peaks of Mount Grocery Store without rubbing. Fortunately, no Subarus were harmed during this exercise. There were also some especially chilly mornings when we cursed the Ascent's lack of remote starting.

Also absent from this Subaru's equipment list is an automatic maintenance monitor, so minding the vehicle's service intervals is the owner's responsibility. In the midst of our holiday shenanigans, we overshot the 6000-mile dealer visit by 900 miles. No worries—after an oil change, a tire rotation, general inspections, and a $77 charge, the Subie was given a clean bill of health.

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

Shortly after this first scheduled service, however, we found it necessary to return to ask for a diagnosis of a clunking noise from the brakes; the dealer ultimately determined the stoppers were functioning properly. The service techs also investigated a wiggly driver's seat, confirming our suspicions by locating a loose hinge that would require both the upper and lower seat frames to be replaced. The parts for the repair were, at the time, on back order. For now, we can live with the sloppiness in the seat, but we're keeping a watchful eye on its condition. Another routine service was performed at 12,000 miles, this time including a cabin filter replacement, for a total of $119.

Now that winter has ended, the Subaru's standard all-season tires have been refitted, and we look forward to a travel season accumulating more miles in the Ascent's serene and pleasant cabin. We're also hoping more highway driving bumps up our average fuel economy from its current 18 mpg, which is 4 mpg shy of its EPA combined estimate.

Months in Fleet: 5 months Current Mileage: 13,068 miles

Average Fuel Economy: 18 mpg

Fuel-Tank Size: 19.3 gal Observed Fuel Range: 340 miles

Service: $197 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

Damage and Destruction: $0

Introduction

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

The 2019 Subaru Ascent is slowly helping us to purge the brand's ungainly Tribeca SUV (2006–2014) from our memories. Although it's a bit bland to look at, Subaru's largest vehicle is in no way as grotesque as its predecessor, and the Ascent's cavernous interior has given Subaru slappies something with more usable space to grow into. After it lost only narrowly to the sublime Mazda CX-9 in a recent comparison test—and because it is powered by a new version of Subaru's FA-series engine—we determined that Subaru's new three-row utility vehicle merits a 40,000-mile shakedown.

The engine in question is a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, which in all Ascents pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The Ascent starts at a modest $32,970, but we opted for the fully loaded Touring trim level, which features seating for seven, Java Brown leather upholstery, faux-wood trim, a panoramic sunroof, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi for $45,670. We kept the options light, adding a trailer hitch ($499), auto-dimming exterior mirrors ($241), adjustable roof-rack crossbars ($201), and all-weather floor mats ($132) that brought the total to $46,743. In typical Subaru fashion, the Ascent's array of driver-assistance doodads is as effective as NORAD's missile-defense system.

View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

After abiding by the prescribed 1000-mile break-in period, the Ascent clicked off a zero-to-60-mph run of 6.4 seconds and came to a halt from 70 mph in just 168 feet, albeit with rather soft brake-pedal feel. With winter in full force upon its arrival, we fitted a set of Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tires in the OE size of 245/50R-20. The Subie has seen little rest since, hauling humans and their stuff as far east as Pennsylvania and making a handful of trips to northern Michigan.



A Good First Impression

Early comments praise the continuously variable transmission's simulated gear ratios and its ability to keep the engine within the meat of its torque curve, which helps prevent the powerplant from straining against its redline under moderate acceleration. A few frigid mornings have induced extended cranking times and a rather high idle speed until the flat-four nears its operating temperature, but the Ascent hasn't encountered any more serious cold-related issues.



View Photos Brad Fick Car and Driver

Following the painless installation of a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 trailer-brake controller ($123) tapped into the under-dash port, the closest we've come to probing the limits of the Ascent's 5000-pound towing capacity was when we tugged a 3500-pound enclosed snowmobile trailer to northern Michigan. It managed that moderate load without much drama aside from being pushed around by the wake of full-size pickups, but our fuel economy during the excursion plummeted to 7 mpg. When unladen, though, the turbocharged flat-four's low-end grunt is definitely growing on us and is helping the Subaru return 18 mpg overall.

Months in Fleet: 2 months Current Mileage: 6822 miles

Average Fuel Economy: 18 mpg

Fuel Tank Size: 19.3 gal Observed Fuel Range: 340 miles

Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

Damage and Destruction: $0

Specifications Specifications 2019 Subaru Ascent

VEHICLE TYPE

front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door hatchback PRICE AS TESTED

$46,743 (base price: $45,670) ENGINE TYPE

turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement

146 in3, 2387 cm3

Power

260 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque

277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm TRANSMISSION

continuously variable automatic with manual shifting mode CHASSIS

Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink

Brakes (F/R): 13.1-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc

Tires: Falken Ziex ZE001 A/S, 245/50R-20 102H M+S DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 113.8 in

Length: 196.8 in

Width: 76.0 in

Height: 71.6 in

Passenger volume: 148 ft3

Cargo volume: 18 ft3

Curb weight: 4656 lb C/D TEST RESULTS: NEW

Rollout, 1ft: 0.3 sec

60 mph: 6.4 sec

100 mph: 17.5 sec

120 mph: 30.2 sec

Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.0 sec

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.7 sec

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.8 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 15.1 sec @ 94 mph

Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 168 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g

C/D

FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 20 mpg

Unscheduled oil additions: 0 qt EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/city/highway: 22/20/26 mpg WARRANTY

3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper;

5 years/60,000 miles powertrain;

5 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection;

3 years/36,000 miles roadside assistance Expand Collapse

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