2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling an enlarged Subaru Forester, was praised for its practical and utilitarian design. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares that added visual strength. Robust roof rails and appealing 20-inch aluminum wheels were standard on three of the four trim levels, while the base model came with smaller 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. The Touring trim, priced at $45,045, included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim, making it the most luxurious option. The test vehicle, with Touring trim and additional third-row quick-charge USB ports, totaled $46,285. The Abyss Blue Pearl paint contrasted nicely with the machined-finish wheels and Java Brown leather interior, which was more stylish than any previous Subaru. CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium with the Convenience and Sporty option packages for a similar look to the Touring trim but at a lower price.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its current-generation model, which debuted in 2016. While maintaining traditional styling features like a boxy profile and rectangular grille, the XC90 added character with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription test car, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest of the XC90 trims. The R-Design trim featured a new gloss-black grille surround for 2021, while the base Momentum trim had 19-inch wheels with a new design. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and "60" series models. The interior embodied "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, including matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a high-end touch to the otherwise restrained interior.

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). With 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, it provided good acceleration for its size. However, it was a thirsty powertrain, averaging 18.9 mpg on the test loop, 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 pavement undulations. The CVT, while decent, produced 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 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 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, producing 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), while AWD was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the power, the small engine struggled with flexibility, and the XC90 had difficulty accelerating on electric power alone. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. Most models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, except for the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

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 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat included a manual thigh support extension, and the armrests were densely padded. 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 controls appeared dated. Storage options included a center bin, door panel bins, and a glove compartment. The Ascent offered a choice of a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter providing comfort and sliding functionality. The third-row seat was accessible and provided 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 folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in both the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel. The Inscription test car featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console bin and few storage options on the console. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, placing it near the bottom of the segment.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and integrated apps like Pandora. 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 featured a high-resolution screen and navigation. The system included stereo knobs and separate climate controls, but the voice-control system was outdated and unresponsive. The navigation system had issues with accuracy, but Bluetooth pairing and music streaming were easy. 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 top-down 360-degree view camera and front parking sensors. The PIN Code Vehicle Access system allowed for secure keyless entry, ideal for active lifestyles.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which was user-friendly and efficient. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. Optional features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display (HUD). The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, with swipe functionality similar to a tablet. The lack of analog controls was not an issue, as the touchscreen worked well and complemented the minimalist interior design. However, the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones. The XC90 only had second-row USB-C ports, which could be inconvenient for drivers with newer phones.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru’s latest global platform, designed for exceptional occupant protection. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 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 with rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights with automatic high-beam operation and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful indicators onto the windshield, and a rear-seat reminder system was included. Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and roadside assistance. The Security Plus upgrade plan, free for six months, included curfew, speed, and boundary alerts, as well as remote engine start with climate control.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top “Good” scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered more standard safety features than most competitors, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles. However, it struggled with highway curves and was not meant to replace an attentive human driver.