2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also new for 2020. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The test vehicle, a Prestige trim, featured Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaling $74,290. Design updates included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, enhancing the Q7’s appearance. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays, was upscale and high-tech, with multi-color ambient lighting adding a soothing vibe at night.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent, introduced in 2019, filled a long-overdue gap in Subaru’s lineup. It resembled a scaled-up version of the Forester and Outback, fitting seamlessly into Subaru’s family of vehicles. The cabin mirrored other Subaru models, likely to create a sense of familiarity for shoppers. The Ascent was available in Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring trims. The Standard trim included driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, four USB ports, and remote keyless entry. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, stain-resistant upholstery, remote start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and second-row climate controls. The Limited trim added push-button start, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, third-row USB ports, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The top-tier Touring trim featured second-row captain's chairs, ventilated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI debuted a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system, enhancing fuel efficiency by reducing the load on the turbocharged V6. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive, the Q7 offered several driving modes through Audi Drive Select. The 55 TFSI could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimated 18 mpg combined, but during testing, it averaged 21 mpg on a road trip and 18.1 mpg on a local loop. The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, adjustable through Audi Drive Select, and the Q7 handled well on both pavement and light off-road trails. The cabin remained quiet, even at high speeds, thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, performed well in most driving scenarios. The Ascent excelled in town and held its own on highways. Its ride focused on comfort, handling corners responsively, and absorbing road bumps effectively. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru’s X-Mode system, the Ascent was capable in snow and light off-roading. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds and included standard Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2020 Audi Q7, though a three-row SUV, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children, and using it required sliding the second-row seats forward. With the third-row seat in use, cargo space was limited to 14.2 cubic feet. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows provided 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7’s cabin was comfortable for a family of four, with agreeable front seats and plenty of legroom and thigh support in the second row. The four-zone climate control, heated rear seats, and panoramic sunroof added to the comfort. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen taking up most of the space.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While this was on the higher end for midsize three-row SUVs, some rivals offered more. The Ascent came standard with a power liftgate but lacked a hands-free option. It could seat up to eight passengers, with the first two rows providing ample headroom and legroom. The third row was suitable for adults on short trips but better for kids on longer journeys. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous trays and cubbies for gear.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect subscription services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While the MMI Touch Response was an improvement, dry fingertips sometimes made the virtual buttons unresponsive. The user interface was generally intuitive, and voice-recognition technology was excellent. The Prestige trim included a full-color head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, which was replaced by a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured the StarLink infotainment system with logical menu layouts and large icons. Both available touchscreens were backed by hard buttons and dials, with a home button for easy navigation. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two front and two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Available tech features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which performed well but were rated "poor" by the IIHS due to excessive glare. The Q7 included numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS), with upgrades available in the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Highlights included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assistance, and lane-centering assistance. However, the traffic-sign-recognition technology and Active Lane Assist proved problematic. The IIHS gave the Q7 the highest ratings, except for the "poor" headlight assessment.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2021, thanks to its crash test results and Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance suite. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, with a feature to alert drivers when the vehicle in front had moved. For 2021, the Ascent gained standard automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.