A Closer Look at the 2022 Subaru Ascent

Those of you searching for a tough, no frills SUV with an excellent safety rating, look no further than the 2022 Subaru Ascent. Yes, the exterior is what one could call plain, lacking excitement and drama, but what you get in return is a solid, courageous high performance four wheel drive SUV that can haul you through a snowy evening of Christmas shopping without even pausing, skidding or stalling. This dynamo from Japan is just what it is, a mainstream vehicle that is built to perform a purpose, and that is to get things done.

Overview

The Subaru Ascent is their largest SUV. Its three rows can seat up to 8, however know that people have found the third row to be rather tight, and not suitable for adults. The Ascent comes loaded with a very nice infotainment system and some pretty nifty driver aids and all wheel drive all being standard. In fact, there’s a good chance that the tech in this SUV can be one of the top selling points. All models come with drive responsive LED lights as well. As for safety, the Ascent scores big here. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2022 Subaru Ascent an overall 5 star rating, 5 star frontal crash, side crash ratings. As for the ride itself, some may not find it as smooth going as they’d like, but don’t let that hamper you, as the Ascent has its fans who swear by its dependability and ride. The four wheel drive which comes standard handles off-road duty quite well, which makes it a hit with adventuresome families into outdoor activities, or those who live in a snowy climate. Also appealing is the amount of cargo space you get with this SUV; 86.5 cubic feet. The Ascent comes with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds max, comes in 8 colors and 5 trims.

Turbocharged, 2.4 Liter Engine

The 2022 Subaru Ascent’s turbo charged Boxer engine is a 2.4 Liter, gas powered, direct injection engine with double overhead cam. The Boxer engine rolls with a Lineartronic CVT, or continuously variable transmission that comes with an 8 speed manual mode. For added convenience, the steering wheel has paddle shifters as well. This 4 flat cylinder engine comes with 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm with torque at 277 pound feet at 2,000 rpm. Turning circle is 38.0 feet, 16 valves with valve timing variable. According to the EPA, “a 2022 Subaru Ascent with 20-inch wheels should return 22 mpg in combined driving. On the evaluation route, the test vehicle averaged 20.5 mpg. This figure, multiplied by the SUV’s 19.3-gallon fuel tank, results in a driving range of 395 miles. Standard four wheel drive comes with traction control and hill descent control. All of this, along with the 8.7 inches clearance mean that this is definitely an SUV that can handle the cold, ice, slush and snow of winter.

Tech and In-Car Entertainment

The Subaru Starlink system is a winner here. The touch screen is quick to respond to commands, and integration of smart devices is super simple. That, along with the extra USB ports mean you’ll always have a port ready to charge up your devices. Also, know that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes standard as is Subaru’s very own EyeSight batch of driver aids. As far as in-car entertainment goes, the 2022 Ascent’s got what it takes to provide you with what you need, when you need it. First off, you get 4 months of Provided Satellite Radio Service. As for sound, a total of 6 high performance speakers, USB ports, and an auxiliary audio input, external media control, Satellite radio and good, old fashioned AM/FM stereo access.

Driver and Passenger Comfort Features

The 2022 Subaru Ascent comes with a plethora of comfort and convenience features for both driver and passenger. Drivers will find that the adaptive cruise control, rear view camera, electric power steering, and tilt and telescopic steering wheel features will make long rides quite comfortable from their standpoint. Cruise, transmission and audio controls are conveniently placed on the steering wheel for easy access while driving. Passengers will appreciate the three-zone climate control, interior air filtration, front and rear door pockets, cup holders for each row, overhead console complete with storage and front seat back storage. The aforementioned climate control does wonders to keep the interior fresh an pleasant. Overall, driver and passengers will find the seats comfortable, except for the third row, where it may be a bit snug for adult passengers. Those passengers seated in the back will enjoy the venting as well.

Onyx Edition

There’s virtually no difference between the 2021 and 2022 Subaru Ascent model, except for one thing: The Onyx Edition. The Onyx Edition is 2022’s new trim for the Ascent. Standard features for the Onyx include tri-zone climate control, LED headlights and fog lights, keyless entry, pushbutton start, and a power liftgate. Also standard is a heated steering wheel and USB ports are placed in all 3 rows of seating, Oh, and whether or not you’ll need them, you do get 19 cup/bottle holders. Let’s face it, Subaru has always made work-horse vehicles with a good crash test safety record. In other words, solid performing vehicles with little or no bells and whistles. Utilitarian through and through, the interior is made from StarTex synthetic upholstery, easy to clean and tough enough to handle a barrel of kids on a snow day outing. According to cars.com, test drive did feel that the dash area was a bit cluttered and felt out of place.

Final Thoughts

The 2022 Subaru Ascent comes with five trims: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited and Touring. Of all the trims, for the driver looking for the best bang for the buck, they’d probably find the Premium trim to be the the best deal. When you look at the features offered with the Premium trim, you may find that the features you get coupled with the trims affordability make it the best choice. Features such as an 8 inch touch screen, which is larger than the basic model, power adjustable drivers seat, heated front seats, power rear lift gate. You also get rear cross traffic alerts, blind spot monitoring. Passengers will appreciate the Premium trims sunroof, rear automatic braking, and proximity keyless entry with a push button start as well.