2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover family, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, featuring a low roof and steeply-raked windshield that gave it a unique profile. The Velar maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers, with a broad front end and short overhangs that improved its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements like larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar boasted high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious, cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru Ascent was a practical and utilitarian SUV, reminiscent of a larger Subaru Forester. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and robust roof rails, emphasizing its functional design. The Ascent offered a range of trims, with the Touring trim providing premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim. The interior was stylish, with quality materials and thoughtful details, making it feel like a good value for the price. The Ascent was recommended for its practicality, with the Premium trim offering a balance of features and affordability, especially when upgraded with option packages.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar was not the fastest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both offering respectable performance. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although the Velar's single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess compared to other models.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine, combined with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, provided good acceleration for a vehicle of its size. However, the Ascent's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly sporty, with its tires and steering not encouraging enthusiastic driving. The CVT, while decent, sometimes produced uneven power delivery, and the shifter felt cheap. The Ascent excelled on smooth highways and off-road, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering a unique size that felt larger on the road but didn't translate to more interior space. Its cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, with a chopped roof and limited side glass, created a claustrophobic interior feel. Visibility was also a challenge, despite the 360-degree camera system. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered comfort and practicality, especially in the Touring trim. The interior featured soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Ascent's front seats provided significant track travel, appealing to tall individuals. The second-row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter providing comfort and flexibility. The third-row was accessible and offered acceptable space for shorter trips. 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 down. The Ascent's upright liftgate and rear glass made the cargo area more usable.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system offered high-quality graphics but was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with the Starlink infotainment system, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a CD player. Premium trim added a larger 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security services. The Touring trim improved the display and added navigation. While the screen size was small, the system was user-friendly, with stereo knobs and separate climate controls. The voice-control system was outdated, and the navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle. The Ascent offered USB ports in all three rows and a 180-degree camera view for improved visibility.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a low priority for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful alerts onto the windshield, and a rear-seat reminder system was introduced for 2020. Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, with additional features available through the Security Plus upgrade plan.