

From there you operate your Bluetooth, navigation, My Subaru for making service appointments, apps, settings, and Subaru Starlink, which is similar to GM’s OnStar.

In the middle of the center stack is an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen. X-mode is Subaru’s off-road control system with hill descent. Moving to the center console are two of the 19-cup holders in the Ascent, the gear shifter, and buttons for X-mode and automatic vehicle hold, so you can take your foot off the brake when stopped. The Ascent has a busy, heated steering wheel with a lot of controls for the cruise control, sound system, and your phone. Instrumentation is easy to read with a hooded visor to block the sun, and a color, configurable driver information center. I wouldn’t call it a luxurious interior, but it is near luxury. The stitched seats are very comfortable and if you look up, you’ll see a huge panoramic moonroof. Inside the Ascent, you find a nicely appointed and well-laid-out interior. My tester is the Limited trim, and from there you can go down to the base or Premium, or up to the Touring package. This system quickly pushes power to all the wheels that have traction. In fact, it has a 5000-pound towing capacity and More than adequate acceleration.Īs with all Subaru SUVs, the Ascent comes with the famous Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drive system, one of the best on the road.

Before driving the Ascent, I was concerned it would be sluggish, but that is simply not the case.
