My Week Behind The Wheel of the 2024 Subaru Ascent: Unveiling Family-Ready Strengths (and a Few Quirks)

Recently I have been paying more attention to Subaru vehicles because of their reliability. The 2024 Subaru Ascent came on my radar as I was thinking of a spacious, family-friendly SUV. With three kids and an active lifestyle, having room for everyone and their gear was a top priority (my little daughter loved this spacious SUV as she sits in the back). Plus, the standard all-wheel drive promised year-round confidence, essential for our unpredictable mountain weather. While the Ascent seemed to tick all the boxes on paper, I knew a test drive would tell the real story.

Competitors like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade boasted similar features, but the Ascent's reputation for safety and reliability held a certain appeal. However, whispers about a noisy engine and cramped third row made me wonder if comfort and performance might suffer. It was time to see for myself if the Ascent could truly compete in this crowded and discerning market.

What's New for 2024?

Subaru didn't make any major changes to the Ascent for 2024, as the vehicle received a major refresh last year, but they did tweak the infotainment system a little bit to make it more user-friendly. It's still a touchscreen setup, but the menus are easier to navigate and the voice commands are more responsive.

Trims and Pricing

The 2024 Subaru Ascent comes in six trims: Base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition, and Onyx Edition Limited.

Starting at a reasonable $35,740, the 2024 Subaru Ascent caters to various budgets with six distinct trims. The entry-level Base trim offers all-wheel drive and basics, while the Premium adds comfort features like heated seats and a moonroof. The Onyx Edition Premium offers sporty black accents and upgraded tech, while the Limited pampers with leather, navigation, and a panoramic moonroof. Craving even more opulence? The Onyx Edition Limited merges luxury with the Onyx's style, and the top-tier Touring throws in everything from a larger touchscreen to ventilated seats. I will discuss the Touring more in detail below.

2024 Subaru Ascent: Power and Performance - Capable but Not Thrilling

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritizes practicality over sportiness. While its standard all-wheel-drive makes it a capable companion for all-weather escapades, its 260-horsepower turbocharged engine delivers "middling acceleration" as TorqueNews describes it. Think 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds, which isn't sluggish, but might not excite driving enthusiasts.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributes to some noise under hard acceleration, and the throttle response can be abrupt at low speeds. However, the CVT itself shifts smoothly and offers paddle shifters for those who enjoy a bit more control.

Where the Ascent shines is its comfortable ride. Even with 20-inch wheels, it absorbs bumps well and isolates passengers from road imperfections. However, be prepared for wind and road noise creeping in at highway speeds.

The 2024 Ascent's Touring trim, which I reviewed offered 21 mpg combined and 19/25 city/highway respectively.

2024 Subaru Ascent: Can It Handle Your Hauling Needs?

The 2024 Subaru Ascent commands a 5,000-pound towing capacity, making it a strong contender for families who like to bring their toys along for the ride. Whether you're hauling snowmobiles for a winter vacation or an Airstream camper for a summer getaway, the Ascent has the muscle to pull it off. But, check the specific trim's payload capacity, as it can affect how much additional weight you can safely add inside the vehicle.

Exterior

While the 2024 Ascent carries over its exterior design from last year's significant refresh, it still has a strong and confident presence on the road with its bold and confident design. Here's a breakdown of its key features:

Overall Design:

• Rugged yet refined: The Ascent strikes a balance between a muscular stance and sleek lines, with prominent fenders and a wide grille reflecting its capable nature, while smooth curves and chrome accents add a touch of sophistication.
• Standout features: The sculpted hood, sharp headlights, and taillights contribute to a modern and eye-catching appearance.
• Variety of trims: Depending on your preference, you can choose from the standard, elegant, or sportier options offered by different trims like Onyx Edition and Touring.

2024 Subaru Ascent Interior: Spacious Comfort with Trade-offs

While the 2024 Ascent's interior offers generous space and versatility, some comfort and feature limitations exist depending on the trim level you choose. Here's a breakdown of the key points:

Spaciousness:

• Raised driving position: Provides good visibility and a commanding feel.
• Flexible seating: Accommodates up to eight passengers with optional second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat.
• Cargo space: Impressive 75.6 cubic feet with all seats folded, perfect for road trips and gear-heavy adventures. Clever features like cargo area straps enhance usability.

Comfort:

• Second-row: Spacious and comfortable, especially with the optional captain's chairs that offer multiple adjustment options.
• Third-row: Legroom isn't as generous as some competitors, making it more suitable for smaller passengers or short trips.
• Heated rear seats, memory driver's seat, power-adjustable passenger seat, and leather upholstery: Only available on the top two trims, limiting their accessibility.

Infotainment:

• Standard touchscreen system: Straightforward user interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
• Optional upgrades: Larger screens, navigation, and a premium sound system available on higher trims.

Storage:

• Cabin cubby storage: Less plentiful than some rivals, potentially limiting convenience for smaller items.
• Cargo space behind the third row: Can fit five carry-on bags, which falls short of some competitors.

Hitting the Road:

The Ascent Touring delivers a comfortable and quiet ride. The suspension soaks up bumps nicely, and the cabin stays hushed even at highway speeds. The steering feels precise, and the car handles corners confidently, despite its size.

Cruising in the 2024 Subaru Ascent feels like navigating a comfortable living room on wheels. While its standard all-wheel-drive inspires confidence in varied conditions, expect a smooth, composed ride, even on bumpy roads, thanks to the well-tuned suspension.

I felt that steering is light and accurate, making highway cruising relaxed, but don't mistake it for a sporty SUV – agility isn't its forte. The downside? Wind and road noise creep in at higher speeds, and acceleration, while adequate, isn't exhilarating. So, if a tranquil, comfortable journey for the whole family is your priority, the Ascent delivers, but if you want a more dynamic driving experience, you might want to look elsewhere.

Touring vs. Other Trims:

So, what makes the Touring trim special? Compared to the lower trims, you get the luxury touches like the leather seats, panoramic moonroof, and upgraded sound system. Plus, you get extra convenience features like the hands-free liftgate and navigation system.

The Touring trim takes the Ascent's interior to a whole new level. Forget cloth seats, you're getting buttery-soft perforated leather with heated and ventilated options. Plus, the panoramic moonroof bathes the cabin in natural light, making it feel even airier. Speaking of space, the second-row captain's chairs give you VIP treatment, and the third row, while not the biggest, still fits my kids without complaints. Storage cubbies and cup holders are everywhere, perfect for stashing all your family's stuff.

My Verdict on The 2024 Subaru Ascent

If you're looking for a spacious, comfortable, and feature-packed SUV, the 2024 Subaru Ascent Touring is definitely worth considering. It's not the sportiest option out there, but it makes up for it with its practicality and family-friendly features. Just be prepared for the price tag, as the Touring trim comes in at the top of the Ascent range.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.