2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee underwent a significant design overhaul to address the polarizing styling of its predecessor. The previous generation, rumored to have Fiat origins, featured unconventional design elements that didn't resonate with many buyers. Jeep designers took a clean-slate approach, resulting in a more conventional front-end design for 2019. The new look included a typical headlight-above/fog-light-below configuration, replacing the isolated daytime running lights and fog-light-like headlights. The rear of the Cherokee also saw changes, with the license plate frame moved to the center of the rear hatch, giving it a more modern appearance. Inside, the Cherokee retained its well-received dash and cabin layout, offering a sensible and logical control layout with plenty of storage compartments.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a larger Subaru Forester, appealed to buyers with its practical and utilitarian design. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversized grille, exaggerated fender flares, and robust roof rails. The Ascent's design was further enhanced by appealing 20-inch aluminum wheels available on three of the four trim levels. The base Ascent, priced at $31,995, came with smaller 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim for $34,395 added nicer detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim, priced at $39,345, included leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim, costing $45,045, offered premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and other luxury features.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offered a range of engine options, starting with the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and the front-wheel-drive (FWD) version of the Limited. The 4-wheel-drive (4WD) Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trims came standard with a 3.2-liter V6 engine, delivering 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. A new addition for 2019 was the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine was optional across the lineup, except for the base Latitude. All engines were paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, with power routed to either the front wheels or all four wheels through various 4WD systems.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. This powertrain produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing good acceleration for a vehicle of its size. However, the Ascent's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, compared to the EPA estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. The Ascent's handling was not particularly sporty, with its P245/50R20 Falken Ziex all-season tires and rather slow and numb steering. The suspension struggled with undulating road surfaces, and the brakes quickly heated up during spirited driving. The CVT, while decent, exhibited uneven power delivery and an unpredictable powertrain, especially in traffic.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee's interior featured a highly functional control layout, carried over from the previous year. The layout was shared with other Jeep models, making it easy to reach controls without taking your eyes off the road. The Cherokee offered plenty of storage solutions, including deep pockets in the front doors, a tray by the shifter, and a deep center console. For 2019, Jeep added an optional hands-free power liftgate, although the sensor was not always reliable. The Cherokee's cargo space was limited, with just 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54 cubic feet with the seats folded, falling short of class leaders like the Honda CR-V.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent excelled in comfort, especially in the Touring trim. The leather seats were soft and supple, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and both front seats offered significant track travel, making the Ascent appealing to tall individuals. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and upscale ambient lighting, while the center control panel was logically laid out. The Ascent offered a choice between a 3-person second-row bench seat or individual captain's chairs, with the latter providing added comfort and convenience. The third-row seats were relatively comfortable, with easy access and acceptable space for shorter trips. The Ascent's cargo space was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This screen was available on the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims, while higher trims received the larger 8.3-inch Uconnect system. The latest version of Uconnect offered crisper graphics, improved responsiveness, and pinch-to-zoom functionality on the navigation system. The touchscreen menu was well-organized, with customizable screens and dock buttons for major features like radio, media, controls, navigation, and phone.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent included a Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and integrated apps like Pandora. Starting with the Premium trim, the Ascent featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim improved on this with a high-resolution screen and navigation. While the screen size was relatively small, the display was satisfying to use, with helpful stereo knobs and separate climate controls. However, Subaru's voice-control system lagged behind competitors, with slow response times and limited command recognition. The Ascent Touring offered additional visibility aids, including a 180-degree front camera view and a 180-degree rear camera view, but lacked a top-down 360-degree view camera and front parking sensors.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, keyless entry with a panic button, and trailer-sway control. The Latitude and Latitude Plus trims were available with the SafetyTec Group, which added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. The Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trims could be equipped with the Technology Group, which included forward-collision avoidance and mitigation, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. This package also provided a self-parking feature for both parallel and perpendicular spots.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru's latest global platform, designed for exceptional occupant protection in a collision. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Subaru's EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights with automatic high-beam operation and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful indicators onto the windshield, and a rear-seat reminder system was added for 2020. Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and quick access to roadside assistance. The Security Plus upgrade plan, free for six months, included curfew, speed, and boundary alerts, as well as remote engine start with climate control operation.