2019 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2019 Subaru Ascent marked a significant departure from Subaru's previous attempt at a 3-row SUV, the Tribeca. Unlike its predecessor, the Ascent boasted a robust design with ample cargo and passenger space, and it was equipped with the latest infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. Its upright design, pronounced fenders, and imposing grille gave it a commanding presence on the road. Inside, the Ascent offered a spacious cabin with options for a 7-passenger layout with captain's chairs or an 8-passenger layout with a bench seat. 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 2020 Subaru Outback focused on incremental improvements to an already successful formula. Built on Subaru's Global Platform, it offered increased structural rigidity and a refined driving experience. While exterior changes were subtle, the interior saw significant upgrades, including a new 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and innovative technology like the DriverFocus system. The Outback was available in seven trims, with the XT versions featuring a more powerful turbocharged engine. The Outback maintained its reputation for utility and safety, with features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist standard across the lineup.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, providing impressive pickup for both city and highway driving. The Ascent offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with the tow-prep package, making it the most capable Subaru in terms of towing. Fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined, with slight variations for higher trims.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower and a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque for the XT trims. Both engines were mated to a CVT, which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. The Outback's AWD system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced safety. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Outback was capable off-road, though not as rugged as a dedicated off-roader. Fuel economy for the base engine was 26 mpg city and 33 highway, while the turbocharged engine offered a more spirited driving experience.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent provided ample interior space, with generous legroom and headroom in the first and second rows. The third row was tighter, suitable for children or short trips. The Ascent excelled in cargo capacity, offering 47 cubic feet with the third row down and 86 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This made it more spacious than competitors like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. The Ascent also featured 19 cupholders, adding to its practicality for family road trips.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, as a station wagon, offered functional benefits with 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious enough for tall passengers, with excellent headroom and legroom. Subaru's focus on visibility was evident, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot. The Outback's design allowed for a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling and reducing rollover risk.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent came with Subaru's StarLink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with physical buttons and dials for ease of use. The optional Technology Package added a Harman Kardon stereo, panoramic moonroof, and navigation.

The 2020 Subaru Outback introduced a tablet-style 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing but suffered from lag issues. While the layout was generally intuitive, some functions were buried in menus. The system's lag affected navigation and other functions, and the camera resolution was subpar. Despite these drawbacks, the large screen had potential if Subaru addressed these issues.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent featured a comprehensive safety suite, including front- and side-impact airbags, vehicle dynamics control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology was standard, offering pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic emergency braking.

The 2020 Subaru Outback also included a robust safety suite, with standard AWD and EyeSight technology. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, often issuing false alerts. Despite this, the Outback maintained Subaru's commitment to safety, though improvements to DriverFocus were needed.