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Cars With The Best And Worst Road Tests - New Subaru Ascent Stands Out

How does the 2022 Subaru Ascent handle on a long road trip? A new report says the Ascent 3-Row SUV scores among the best. Check out the best and worst cars here.

What are the best and worst cars in road tests? According to a new study from Consumer Reports, some vehicles stand out based on performance at their test track. Consumer Reports puts cars through comprehensive road tests based on 50 tests performed at their 327-acre auto test center so you can know how a vehicle performs in all driving situations before you buy.

The latest report says the 2022 Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler is among the 10-best new cars in ride quality you can buy. The 3-Row family hauler gets the best test score (93) of all Subaru models, and it makes sense because it's the biggest Subaru ever built and should have a smooth ride. But it's not just about buying a large vehicle. Some of the best scores are sports cars and sedans.

2022 Subaru Ascent pricing, features, reliability, driving

Consumer Reports' cars with the best and worst results in its road tests

Consumer Reports rates the vehicles on a 100-point scale in its road test scores. The BMW 750i xDrive is number one with a score of 99. It's followed by the BMW X5 (98), Chevrolet Corvette (97), Kia Telluride (97), Audi A8 (96), Chevrolet Traverse (95), Porsche 718 Boxster (95), BMW 5 Series (94), BMW X7 (94), Subaru Ascent (93), and Toyota Avalon (93).

What are the cars with the worst road tests? The bottom feeders are the Mitsubishi Mirage (29), Jeep Wrangler (36), and Toyota Tacoma (42).

2022 Subaru Ascent pricing, features, reliability, driving

In earlier tests, Consumer Reports ranked the Subaru brand the Best Mainstream Brand for road test scores over all other automakers. The Outback midsize SUV scored high with a score of 91. It's followed by the Forester compact SUV (90), Legacy sedan (89), Crosstrek subcompact SUV (87), Impreza sedan and 5-Door compact car, and BRZ sports coupe (79).

Why do Subaru vehicles score high?

Subaru recently upgraded every one of its new-generation models to its new Subaru Global Platform that the Japanese automaker spent $1 Billion to develop. The new models have improved ride comfort, handling agility, and a quieter cabin. We've driven all the latest Subaru models, and customers will feel significant differences behind the SUVs and compact cars wheel.

In a nutshell, the new underpinnings have reduced vibrations and produced a smoother ride quality over the previous-generation models. The body and chassis are 70-100 percent more rigid, which improves steering response. The increased rigidity of the suspension mounting has reduced body roll by 50 percent compared to current models. The vehicles also have a lower center of gravity, improving driving dynamics in the corners producing a more dynamic ride.

What is the price of the 2022 Ascent?

The 2022 Subaru Ascent base starts at $33,420, and Premium trims begin at $35,920. The new Ascent Onyx Edition starts at $39,120. The upper Limited starts at $40,720, and the top-trim Touring has a starting MSRP of $46,570. Pricing includes destination fees.

Overall, the entire lineup of new-generation Subaru models, including the 2022 Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and others, are rated highest among mainstream automakers and earn the best road-test scores. The 2022 Subaru Ascent family hauler scores among the best new vehicles you can buy.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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