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 2020 Volvo XC90 Hybrid comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed automatic.Lightly refreshed exterior design.Six-seat option available for T6 and T8 Momentum and Inscription models.Digital driver display and road sign identification now standard.Expected increase in EV range for T8 plug-in hybrid.
Pros Elegant interior and exterior styling Precise handling that inspires confidence Spacious second- and third-row seating for a midsize SUV Many standard safety technology features Available as a plug-in hybrid
Cons Overly busy ride quality for a vehicle in its class Comes up short in performance and real-world fuel economy Some touchscreen controls can be hard to use
The XC90 receives a visual freshening for 2020 by way of a new grille and front bumper; Volvo also has restyled the XC90's wheels. Base Momentum models now come with low-profile roof rails and integrated tailpipes while sporty R-Design models swap matte silver exterior trim for gloss black. All XC90 models now come standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, R-Design and Inscription trims gain front parking sensors as standard, and Volvo has tweaked the operation of both the rear cross-traffic alert feature and added active-steering support for the City Safety driver-assistance feature.
Pros Sleek exterior, chic cabin, a plethora of standard driver-assistance features.
Cons Unrefined engine sounds, flinty ride, laggy infotainment response upon startup.
The 2020 Volvo XC90's #11 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Midsize SUVs category. Currently the Volvo XC90 has a score of 7.6 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 39 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros First-rate cabin materials Spacious seating and cargo areas Many standard tech and safety features Good fuel economy
Cons Poor predicted reliability rating Tepid performance from base engine Jittery ride when equipped with larger wheels