2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials. While the wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims were appealing, they clashed with the lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Ascent was a much-anticipated addition to Subaru's lineup, filling the gap for a three-row SUV. Its design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, creating a cohesive family resemblance. The interior followed suit, with a dashboard design that could easily be mistaken for other Subaru models, likely a strategic move to connect the Ascent with Subaru's popular lineup. The Ascent's trims ranged from Standard to Touring, each offering a variety of features, from driver-assistance technologies to upgraded infotainment systems, making it a well-rounded choice for families seeking a midsize SUV.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V, providing a quick and responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like handling and nimble road manners were complemented by its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, contributing to its excellent fuel economy. FWD models achieved 30 miles per gallon combined, while AWD models managed 29 mpg, placing the CR-V at the top of its class for fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent, on the other hand, was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with a CVT and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, provided a balanced performance suitable for various driving scenarios. The Ascent excelled in comfort and responsiveness, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's X-Mode system enhancing its capability in snow and light off-road conditions. Additionally, the Ascent was rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for families with towing needs.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was praised for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling oversized. The CR-V provided excellent head- and legroom, thanks to its optimal seating position and low cowl for improved visibility. Its cargo space was impressive, with a two-position load floor allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats folded. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console and large door pockets, made the CR-V a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While not the largest in its class, the Ascent's cargo capacity was competitive. It featured a power liftgate, though not hands-free, and seating for up to eight passengers, with the option for second-row captain's chairs. The first two rows provided ample space, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The Ascent also boasted 19 cupholders and numerous storage compartments, enhancing its practicality for families.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim that lacked features beyond basic Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered a 7-inch touchscreen, but it still fell short compared to competitors. The system's lack of hard buttons made it challenging to operate, and while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, they felt poorly integrated. However, the CR-V did offer ample USB ports in higher trims, with a wireless phone charger added to the Touring trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Ascent featured Subaru's StarLink infotainment system, known for its intuitive menu layouts and large icons. Both available touchscreens were complemented by hard buttons and dials, making navigation easy. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports, with options for third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a premium Harman Kardon stereo system, providing a comprehensive tech experience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with the "Honda Sensing" system as standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though lower trims had marginal headlight ratings. A recall for a possible rear subframe failure affected a small number of vehicles.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ due to its crash test results and Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, with additional features like reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring available. The Ascent's safety features and ratings made it a strong contender for safety-conscious buyers.