2020 Dodge Durango vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent resembled a larger Subaru Forester, appealing in a practical and utilitarian manner typical of the brand’s SUVs. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversize grille, and exaggerated fender flares for visual strength. Robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on three of the four trims added to its functional design. The base Ascent, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and other luxury features. The test vehicle, a Touring trim, was priced at $46,285 and featured a stylish Abyss Blue Pearl paint and Java Brown leather interior, offering a more upscale feel than previous Subaru models.

The 2020 Dodge Durango carried over its styling from a 2014 update, with its third generation dating back to 2011. It shared a platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee but had a longer wheelbase and overall length. The Durango’s cabin design felt straightforward but somewhat dated compared to its Jeep counterpart. A refresh was anticipated for the 2021 model year, promising more aggressive exterior styling and a reworked cabin. The 2020 Durango offered trims including SXT, GT, Citadel, R/T, and SRT. The SXT featured 18-inch wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen, while the GT added 20-inch wheels and a sport-inspired grille. The R/T trim included a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine and additional features like rain-sensing wipers and memory settings. The Citadel trim focused on luxury with chrome exterior touches and premium leather upholstery. The SRT trim, with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, featured a unique look with auto-leveling headlights and 20-inch black wheels.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive (AWD). It produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, providing good acceleration for its size. However, it was a thirsty powertrain, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent’s handling was not particularly sporty, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with undulating road surfaces. The CVT, while decent, produced uneven power delivery and unpredictable performance. The Ascent excelled on smooth freeways and off-road, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Dodge Durango offered a range of engines across its trims. The SXT, GT, and Citadel came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, also available on the Citadel. The SRT trim boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, delivering 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided decent power, while the 5.7-liter V8 offered confident acceleration. The SRT trim stood out with its performance-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, and detailed drive mode customization through the Dodge SRT performance pages. The SRT’s car-like handling and minimal body roll were surprising for a vehicle of its size.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered comfort, especially in the Touring trim with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable with a manual thigh support extension. The front seats had significant track travel, making the Ascent appealing to tall people. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and upscale ambient lighting, though the control panel appeared dated. Storage options included a center bin, door panel bins, and a glove compartment. The Ascent could be configured with a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter providing comfort and sliding functionality. The third-row seat offered acceptable space for shorter trips, with large side windows and available USB ports enhancing comfort. Cargo space measured 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2020 Dodge Durango provided 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The Durango’s cargo space was on par with competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The power rear hatch button placement was less intuitive compared to competitors. The Durango offered a towing capacity ranging from 6,200 to 8,700 pounds, depending on configuration. The cabin provided ample space, with comfortable front seats and a second row available as a bench or captain’s chairs. The third row was more cramped for adults but suitable for kids. The driver and front passenger had access to multiple cargo bins and cupholders, while the second row in the SRT trim included a center console with cupholders.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured a Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and integrated apps. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim improved with a high-resolution screen and navigation. The infotainment system included stereo knobs and separate climate controls, but the voice-control system was outdated and unresponsive. The navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle’s location. The premium Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound quality, and USB ports were available in all three rows. The Ascent Touring offered a 180-degree front camera view and a 180-degree rear camera view, but lacked a 360-degree view camera and front parking sensors. The PIN Code Vehicle Access system allowed secure locking and unlocking without the key fob.

The 2020 Dodge Durango’s SXT and GT trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while an 8.4-inch touchscreen was optional on the GT and standard on higher trims. The Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly, with a tablet-inspired layout and dock icons for easy navigation. The Durango included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with seamless transitions between menus. The semi-digital instrument panel was navigable via a directional pad on the steering wheel. Higher trims like the R/T, Citadel, and SRT included navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link, and an Alpine premium audio system. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system was available on these trims.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru’s latest global platform, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight, a collection of camera-based advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including 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 trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected alerts onto the windshield, enhancing driver awareness. A rear-seat reminder system was new for 2020, and Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, with an optional Security Plus upgrade for additional features.

The 2020 Dodge Durango came with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control. Rear parking sensors were available on the SXT and standard on higher trims. The Technology Group package added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection were also available. The Durango earned a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in other phases. The IIHS rated the Durango as Moderate for driver’s side small-front overlap testing and Good in other crash tests. The optional crash-prevention technology was rated Superior.