Used 2020 Subaru Ascent for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2020 Subaru Ascent cost?

Prices have softened 10.99% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,888 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability for shoppers comparing trims and conditions.

Is the 2020 Subaru Ascent a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Subaru Ascent earns a 4.88/5 user rating and a 7.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Drivers consistently praise its roominess, safety features, and family-friendly design, and they also highlight the comfortable interior and balanced driving experience. The overview fits that feedback: this is a three-row SUV built for extra room for people, pets, and cargo, with standard all-wheel drive and a comfortable ride. The main trade-offs are fairly pedestrian performance and poor fuel economy, so it makes the most sense if you value everyday usefulness over excitement. With 39.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s a decent amount of market flexibility if you’re shopping carefully.

Is the 2020 Subaru Ascent reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, with repeated praise for its roominess, safety, and family-friendly character. The expert evaluation also describes it as a safe family vehicle that should be a faithful friend when weather turns difficult, which reinforces the sense that it’s built for steady everyday use. Subaru also includes three years of Starlink Safety Plus connected services, which adds useful ownership support. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about living with the Ascent’s rough edges, especially its fuel thirst and some unrefined controls.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Subaru Ascent?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with a lot of family-duty wear. Focus on cabin condition, electronics, and how the vehicle drives over rough pavement, since comfort and day-to-day usability matter a lot in this SUV. If you’re comparing trims, pay close attention to which safety and tech features are included versus optional.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Ascent starts with smaller 18-inch wheels and lacks dark-tinted privacy glass, while Premium adds nicer detailing and a superior infotainment system. Limited brings leather seats, and Touring adds premium leather in an exclusive color, a panoramic sunroof, special wood trim, and other luxury-themed enhancements. CarGurus recommends the Premium with the Convenience and Sporty option packages for a look close to Touring at a lower price.
• Powertrain: Every Ascent uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive. It makes 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, delivers good acceleration for its size, and stays strong at elevation, but it is also thirsty and can feel uneven in everyday use.
• Safety package: EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited adds LED steering-responsive headlights with automatic high-beam operation and reverse automatic braking.
• Infotainment: All models get Starlink with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, integrated apps like Pandora, and a CD player. Premium adds an 8-inch touchscreen, text messaging, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services, while Touring adds a high-resolution screen and navigation.
• Fuel efficiency: The expert test loop returned 18.9 mpg, and the official EPA estimate is 22 mpg in combined driving for versions with 20-inch wheels.

Which 2020 Subaru Ascent trim should I buy?

The 2020 Subaru Ascent is offered in 4 trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited, Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the least expensive way into the Ascent, but it misses some of the nicer detailing and equipment upgrades found higher up the range. It makes sense if you want standard all-wheel drive and the core family-hauling package at the lowest entry price.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim. It adds a superior infotainment system, more features, and access to the bigger wheels, while also unlocking blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to target.
• Limited: This trim adds leather seats and more upscale comfort, along with LED steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and reverse automatic braking. It suits you if you want a more premium feel and extra safety equipment without going all the way to Touring.
• Touring: This is the luxury-leaning choice, with premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, special wood trim, navigation, and a high-resolution screen. It’s the right pick if you want the most upscale Ascent and don’t mind paying for it.

EyeSight is standard, while Premium adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and Limited adds the LED headlights and reverse automatic braking.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Subaru Ascent?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to compare options and enough deal activity to reward patience.

• Deal availability: 39.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,888 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.99% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $19,842, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Subaru Ascent's resale value?

The current average of $19,842 sits slightly below last year's $22,291.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can help you buy more affordably now but may also limit short-term upside if you plan to resell soon. For a future seller, the key takeaway is that a lower entry price today can support demand, but condition and equipment will matter a lot when it’s time to list. Well-kept examples with strong feature content should hold buyer interest better than rougher ones.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.88/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Subaru Ascent safe?

The 2020 Subaru Ascent gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

EyeSight is Subaru’s camera-based driver-assistance suite, and it includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited adds LED steering-responsive headlights with automatic high-beam operation and reverse automatic braking. Subaru also adds a rear-seat reminder system for 2020, and Starlink Safety Plus includes automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and roadside assistance. Security Plus adds curfew, speed, and boundary alerts, plus remote engine start with climate control.

Should I buy a 2020 Subaru Ascent or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 39.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.99% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 adds a rear-seat reminder system and keeps the Ascent’s standard safety-first family focus.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $17,436, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $19,842 average.
• It offers a spacious, safety-minded three-row layout with standard all-wheel drive.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $21,798, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $19,842 average.
• It adds a few key safety features as newly standard equipment.

The bottom line: the 2020 is the right pick if you want the strongest mix of safety, family utility, and market availability. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2019 is worth a look for lower upfront cost, while the 2021 makes sense if you want to pay more for a newer model-year setup.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.