2019 Subaru Ascent vs 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2019 Subaru Ascent marked a significant improvement over Subaru’s previous attempt at a 3-row SUV, the B9 Tribeca. Unlike its predecessor, the Ascent featured bold styling, ample cargo and passenger space, and the latest infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. Its upright design, pronounced fenders, and imposing grille gave it a commanding presence. Inside, the Ascent offered a spacious cabin with options for either a 7-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs or an 8-passenger layout with a second-row bench. The trims ranged from Base to Touring, each adding more features and luxury, such as leather seating, heated seats, and advanced driver-assistance systems.

In contrast, the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite being a decade old, maintained a timeless design with its classic 7-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Cherokee was available in 12 trim levels, each catering to different needs, from style and luxury to off-roading and high performance. My test vehicle, the Limited X, featured a performance vented hood, unique 20-inch wheels, and special leather seats. Inside, the Grand Cherokee offered a mix of upscale materials and hard plastic panels, with comfortable front seats but less generous rear legroom. Cargo space was also more limited compared to the Ascent.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, provided impressive pickup for both city and highway driving. The Ascent also boasted 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with the tow-prep package. Fuel economy for the Ascent was 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined, with the Limited trim achieving 22.7 mpg in mixed driving.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 making 295 horsepower. For those seeking more power, options included a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, a 425-hp 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT, and the Trackhawk's 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8. An 8-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with three 4WD systems available depending on the trim. My Limited X test vehicle featured the Quadra-Drive II system, providing excellent off-road capability. However, fuel economy was less impressive, with the V6 averaging 18.3 mpg in testing and 17.4 mpg in city-heavy driving. The Grand Cherokee excelled in handling rough terrain but had issues with brake performance during long descents.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent offered generous interior space, with ample legroom and headroom in the first and second rows. The third row was tighter but suitable for children. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and provided 47 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down, expanding to 86 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious options in its class.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as a 5-passenger midsize SUV, felt roomy enough for a family. The front seats were comfortable, but rear passengers faced hard plastic panels on the front seatbacks. Cargo space was more limited, with 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage options were also less generous compared to the Ascent.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came standard with Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system. The base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, with physical buttons and dials for easy navigation. The optional Technology Package added a Harman Kardon premium stereo, panoramic moonroof, navigation, and real-time traffic and weather updates.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo included a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured a more advanced Uconnect system with improved graphics and faster response times. This system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, and navigation. My test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium audio system, with higher trims offering a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came with a full array of airbags, vehicle dynamics control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology was standard on all trims, including pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The Ascent was backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered modern driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies, including standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Advanced Active Safety Group package added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and rain-sensing wipers. However, the Grand Cherokee received poor safety ratings from the IIHS and a 3-star rollover resistance rating from the federal government.