2021 BMW X7 vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, with its practical and utilitarian design, resembled a larger Subaru Forester. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for visual strength. The robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels added to its appeal across most trim levels. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels, while the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and features. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, and the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and luxury enhancements. The Touring trim, priced at $46,285 with additional features, boasted a stylish interior with quality materials and thoughtful details, making it a worthwhile investment. However, CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium with option packages for a similar look and comfort at a lower price.

The 2021 BMW X7 stood out in metropolitan Los Angeles, offering superior interior quality compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. It boasted technological sophistication over the Lexus LX 570 and significant visual presence against the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Available in three versions, the X7 xDrive40i started at $74,900, the X7 M50i at $99,800, and the Alpina BX7 at $141,300. The test vehicle, an X7 xDrive40i, featured 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium leather, and a trailer hitch, totaling $91,745. The X7's massive grille was fitting for its size, and its styling expressed traditional BMW cues with enough glam to claim its position at the top of BMW's SUV lineup. Inside, the X7 shared similarities with the X5, offering high-tech design, quality materials, and mostly intuitive controls, though some quirks required acclimation.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a CVT, and AWD, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It provided good acceleration, especially at elevation, but was thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg compared to the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not sporty, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with pavement undulations. The CVT, while decent, had uneven power delivery and an unpredictable powertrain. The shifter felt cheap, and the Ascent rolled significantly when parked on a hill. Despite these issues, the Ascent excelled on smooth freeways and off-road, thanks to its AWD system, X-Mode, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and xDrive AWD. The eBoost mild-hybrid technology aimed to improve fuel economy, but the X7's EPA ratings dropped to 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, but excessive body motions detracted from driving enjoyment. The Dynamic Handling Package improved maneuverability and stability, while the Active Comfort Drive system smoothed out road imperfections. The X7's weight was noticeable on highways, but it demonstrated effortless speed and fluidity. The eight-speed transmission was brilliant, and the X7 offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance, though off-roading was avoided to protect the expensive wheels and tires.

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, and the armrests were well-padded. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and ambient lighting, though the controls appeared dated. The Ascent provided a choice between a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter offering comfort and sliding functionality. The third-row seat was accessible and comfortable for short trips, with features like large side windows and a panoramic roof. Cargo space was practical, 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 2021 BMW X7's interior was luxurious, with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and premium Merino leather upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, though the long rear doors could make entry and exit challenging. The X7 offered a four-zone climate control system, with an available five-zone system for third-row occupants. The third-row seat was surprisingly accommodating for adults, though accessing it required orchestrating the power seats. The power clamshell tailgate revealed a small cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.6 cubic feet with the third row down and 90.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, though these figures were below class leaders.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured a Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a WiFi hotspot, and connected services. The Touring trim improved with a high-resolution screen and navigation. The voice-control system was outdated, and the navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle. Bluetooth pairing and streaming were easy, and the Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound. The Ascent offered a 180-degree front camera view and a rear camera view, but lacked a 360-degree view and front parking sensors. The PIN Code Vehicle Access system was a standout feature for active lifestyles.

The 2021 BMW X7 came with Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and an iDrive 7.0 infotainment system with navigation, both using a 12.3-inch display. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro with traffic data and parking information. Wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and gesture control were also available, though the latter was inconsistent. The "Hey BMW" voice recognition was excellent, and the iDrive system was user-friendly, though it could be distracting while driving. The test vehicle included a head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on a global platform for exceptional occupant protection, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. EyeSight, Subaru's ADAS, 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 alerts onto the windshield, and a rear-seat reminder system was new for 2020. Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, with an optional Security Plus upgrade for additional features.

The 2021 BMW X7 included standard safety technologies, with optional Driving Assistance Professional and Parking Assistance Packages. The Driving Assistance Professional Package added features like evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist. The technology was effective, though some experiences revealed room for improvement. The Parking Assistance Package offered semi-automated parking assist, a surround-view camera, and a drive recorder system.