The 2020 Subaru Ascent is nearly as rational a family hauler as a minivan.
Pros Well-conceived interior Standard AWD Lots of safety tech Decent power Great value
Cons Short on powertrain refinement Seats a little narrow Fuel economy just so-so Hardly stylish
The 2020 Subaru Ascent comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic.Adds a standard rear-seat reminder alert system.Adds power-folding side mirrors.
PROS Substantial list of standard and optional driving aids High-quality interior materials Generous ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive Easy-to-use infotainment system
CONS Accelerator pedal is too touchy Invasive engine and tire noise Not much second-row shoulder room, and third row is tight Rolling over bumps at higher speeds sends vibrations through the cabin
Since the Ascent was all new for 2019, Subaru makes the mildest of changes to its largest model for 2020. A newly standard alert system—called Rear Seat Reminder—helps to prevent people from leaving items in the back seats by beeping a warning and displaying a message on the instrument panel. Starting with the Premium trim level, each Ascent now features one-touch controls to turn the interior lighting on or off. The 2020 Ascent now offers a vehicle lock button with its optional power-operated rear gate, and the top-tier Touring version receives power-folding exterior mirrors with built-in turn signals. Measuring 204.7 inches long and sitting on a 117.7-inch wheelbase, the Viziv-7 is some 15 inches longer than Subaru’s Outback, and its wheelbase is more than nine inches greater. The Viziv-7 also is larger than most mainstream three-row, mid-size crossover SUVs. While the Buick Enclave, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Dodge Durango, and the Ford Flex ride on longer wheelbases, the Subaru’s overall length is greater than all four. Additionally, the Viziv-7’s 79.9-inch width and 72.0-inch height (73.2 inches including the roof rails) are tops among today’s segment offerings. Needless to say, if the Viziv-7’s dimensions carry over to the production vehicle, Subaru’s new SUV promises to dwarf the other models in the lineup as it attempts to move far beyond the cramped Tribeca
We believe the production vehicle will go by the name Ascent, given that Subaru recently registered that moniker with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Spy photographers recently caught Subaru testing its new three-row crossover, and along for comparison was both a Mazda CX-9 and a Ford Explorer; like them, we expect the Ascent to offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, although the 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that’s optional in the Outback is also a possibility. We’ll know more in the coming months, as Subaru says its production three-row crossover will enter our market in early 2018.
The 2020 Subaru Ascent ranked #5 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Subaru Ascent has a score of 8.1 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 24 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Large cargo area Lengthy list of standard safety and tech features Cabin is airy, quiet, and comfortable Balanced ride and handling
Cons Some rivals have roomier third-row seats
The X2 launched as a 2019 model and, this being only its sophomore year, BMW hasn't changed much for 2020. Last year's standard 6.5-inch infotainment display has been ditched in favor of the formerly optional 8.8-inch unit; navigation is now also standard across the X2 lineup. Otherwise, the X2 carries on essentially unchanged.
Pros Playful handling, chic exterior styling, economical at the pump.
Cons Too-harsh ride, interior design is plain, compromised cargo space.
The 2020 BMW X2 comes with all wheel drive, and front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic.8.8-inch touchscreen now standard.Package content has been shuffled slightly.
Pros Unique styling differentiates the X2 from the more traditional X1 Materials quality and build quality are top-notch Quick acceleration and sporty handling
Cons Less rear headroom and cargo space than the X1 Ride is overly stiff for a luxury vehicle Grabby brakes make it hard to stop smoothly in traffic Disappointing smartphone integration
The 2020 BMW X2's #4 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Subcompact SUVs category. Currently the BMW X2 has a score of 7.7 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 22 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Athletic handling Zippy acceleration Intuitive tech features Quality interior
Cons Snug rear seats Above-average price for class
