2022 Subaru Ascent

2022 Subaru Ascent Highlights

Subaru is known for providing practical, all-wheel-drive, family-oriented vehicles, and the 2022 Subaru Ascent doesn’t waver from this tradition. Looking like a tall station wagon, the Ascent is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for seven or eight passengers.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition trim offers an exclusive black finish, exterior trim, grille, and unique black wheels. The Onyx Edition also features a standard power liftgate, passive entry with push-button start, automatic emergency braking, a heated steering wheel, and an optional package with a panoramic sunroof, navigation, and a special retractable cargo cover.

Key Details

• Midsize crossover SUV body style
• Three-row seating for up to eight passengers
• Standard all-wheel drive (AWD)
• 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine
• New Onyx Edition with unique styling elements
• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology standard on all models

Benefits

• All-wheel drive
• Light off-road capability
• Spacious interior with comfortable seating in all three rows
• Advanced safety features are standard
• Strong towing capacity for its class (up to 5,000 pounds)

Learn More: 2022 Subaru Ascent Reliability: What To Know Before Investing In Your Purchase

2022 Subaru Ascent Overview

Performance

The 2022 Subaru Ascent offers one engine option:

2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer four-cylinder engine:

• 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque
• Standard across all trim levels

The horizontally opposed cylinder layout contributes to a lower center of gravity, enhancing the vehicle's stability and handling characteristics. Power is sufficient, but don’t expect it to be thrilling.

The Lineartronic CVT is designed to optimize fuel efficiency while providing smooth power delivery. It features an eight-speed manual mode with paddle shifters, allowing drivers to simulate gear changes.

The Ascent's all-wheel-drive system adjusts power distribution between the front and rear wheels based on driving conditions and wheel slippage. Towing capacity is impressive for the class: properly equipped, the Ascent can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Ascent a top five-star overall safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2022 Ascent a Top Safety Pick+, its highest safety designation.

Standard safety features across all trims include:

• Multiple airbags, including a driver's knee airbag
• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which includes:
  • Forward collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Lane departure and sway warning
  • Lane keep assist
  • Adaptive cruise control with lane-centering
• Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring
• Rearview camera

Higher trims offer additional safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring with lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking.

Driving

With a single engine and transmission option, the driving experience is nearly identical whether you choose a 2022 Subaru Ascent Limited, Touring, Premium, Onyx, or base model. The soft suspension tuning provides comfort for commuting and long distances.

The steering is precise and well-weighted, offering good feedback to the driver. For a vehicle in its class, the Ascent exhibits minimal body roll. The standard all-wheel-drive system is highly adept in all road conditions.

The turbocharged Boxer engine provides plenty of daily usable power. The CVT contributes to smooth acceleration, though some drivers may miss the defined shift points of a traditional transmission.

The Ascent's X-MODE system, standard on all trims, enhances off-road capability by optimizing the AWD system, transmission, and other systems for maximum traction on slippery surfaces. Hill Descent Control helps maintain a constant speed when navigating steep, slippery declines.

Visibility is generally good, aided by large windows and available features like a 180-degree front-view camera. Road and wind noise are well-suppressed, contributing to a quiet and refined cabin environment, even at highway speeds.

Interior

The 2022 Subaru Ascent interior is spacious and can accommodate up to eight passengers with good head and legroom in all three rows. While not as generous as the first two, the third row can comfortably accommodate adults for shorter trips.

Cargo space is generous, offering:

• 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row
• 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded
• 86.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded

The low load floor and wide rear opening make loading and unloading cargo easy, especially with the available power rear gate with a height memory function.

The new Onyx Edition for 2022 adds unique interior touches, including water-repellent StarTex upholstery and black interior accents.

Notable interior features include:

• Choice of second-row bench seat (eight-passenger) or captain's chairs (seven-passenger)
• 19 cup holders throughout the cabin
• Tri-zone automatic climate control (standard on 2022 Subaru Ascent Premium and above)
• Available panoramic moonroof
• Available heated and ventilated front seats
• Available second-row heated seats
• Up to six USB ports (depending on trim)

Technology

The 2022 Subaru Ascent has various technology features centered around the Starlink infotainment system. Standard and available features include:

• 6.5-inch touchscreen (base model)
• 8-inch touchscreen (standard on Premium and above)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability
• Available navigation system
• Available Harman Kardon premium audio system
• Available surround-view camera

Fuel Economy

The 2022 Subaru Ascent offers competitive fuel economy ratings for its class. The slight difference in fuel economy between trims is primarily due to the additional features and larger wheels on higher trim levels, which add weight and affect aerodynamics. EPA fuel economy estimates are as follows:

2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (Base and Premium trims):

• AWD (mpg): 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined

2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (Limited, Touring, and Onyx Edition trims):

• AWD (mpg): 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined

2022 Subaru Ascent Reviews

Consumer reviews on Kelley Blue Book gave the 2022 Subaru Ascent an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5. Owners praise the Ascent for its quality, styling, and comfort.

Reasons to Buy It

• Standard all-wheel drive across all trims
• Seating for up to eight passengers
• Good long-term reliability
• Comfortable ride and capable handling
• It has good fuel economy considering its size and AWD system

Problems

• Some users find the engine noisy under heavy acceleration
• The infotainment system may occasionally be slow to respond
• Third-row space is tight for adults on longer trips
• Fuel economy, while good for AWD, lags behind some front-wheel-drive competitors
• Some advanced features are only available on higher trims

Explore: 2022 Subaru Ascent Interior: Everything You Need to Know

CoPilot's Take

The 2022 Subaru Ascent is a safe, competent family hauler with standard all-wheel drive, comprehensive safety features, and versatile cabin space. The Onyx Edition offers a more stylish option for those seeking a sporty look.

While the one-engine option provides adequate power for most situations, some drivers might wish for a more powerful alternative, especially when fully loaded or towing. The CVT, while efficient, may not appeal to all drivers who prefer the feel of a traditional gearbox.

Fuel economy is competitive for an all-wheel-drive vehicle of this size, but it does fall short of some front-wheel-drive competitors. However, the trade-off in all-weather capability may be worth it for many buyers.

Overall, the Ascent’s combination of practicality, safety, and capability, along with Subaru's reputation for reliability, make it a compelling choice.

2022 Subaru Ascent FAQs

Is the 2022 Subaru Ascent a good car?

Yes, the 2022 Subaru Ascent is generally considered a good car. It offers a spacious interior, standard all-wheel drive, and comprehensive safety features. The Ascent provides a comfortable ride, good handling for its size, and respectable fuel economy.

Does the 2022 Subaru Ascent have a remote start?

Yes, the 2022 Subaru Ascent offers remote start functionality, but its availability depends on the trim level. Remote start is unavailable on the base trim but comes standard on the Touring, Premium, Onyx Edition, and Limited trims.

What are the weaknesses of the 2022 Subaru Ascent?

A few issues include:

• Engine: There’s only one engine option; some users report it can be noisy under heavy acceleration.
• Infotainment system: The system may occasionally respond slowly or be less intuitive than some competitors.
• Third-row space: While adequate for children, the third row can be tight for adults on longer trips.
• Fuel economy: Although good for an AWD vehicle, it lags behind some front-wheel-drive competitors.
• CVT: While efficient, the CVT is not particularly sporting or engaging.
• Feature availability: Some desirable features are only available on higher, more expensive trims.

Check Out: How Long Do Subaru Ascents Last?