2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a typical SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, and the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with the standout feature being an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent, introduced in 2019, filled a long-standing gap in Subaru's lineup. It resembled a scaled-up version of the Forester and Outback, maintaining a familiar design that Subaru fans appreciated. The cabin followed suit, with a dash design similar to other Subaru models, reinforcing the connection to the brand's popular vehicles. The Ascent offered four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each adding more features and comfort. The Standard trim included driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and tri-zone climate control. Higher trims added amenities like an 8-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable seats, heated seats, and a premium stereo system in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite the impressive specs, the Traverse didn't feel as powerful as expected, though it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic generally performed well but occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway comfort, with a quiet cabin and smooth ride, but it lacked agility on twisty roads. Its AWD system, which required manual activation, could send torque to individual wheels but didn't noticeably improve handling. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. While some might prefer a more powerful engine option, the Ascent's standard engine was adequate for most driving scenarios, performing well in town and on the highway. The Ascent prioritized comfort, offering a smooth ride and responsive handling, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance for light off-roading. It was well-suited for snowy conditions and had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, along with standard Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats up, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row down, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate on the Premier and High Country models. However, interior storage options were limited compared to minivans.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While this was on the higher end for midsize SUVs, some rivals offered more space. The Ascent came standard with a power liftgate but lacked a hands-free option. It could seat up to eight passengers, with spacious first and second rows and a third row suitable for adults on short trips or kids on longer journeys. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous trays and cubbies for gear.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for volume and climate. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had two USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent's StarLink infotainment system featured logical menus and large icons, with hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with two front and two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. Available tech included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests, and five stars in side-impact tests. The Traverse offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ due to its crash test results and comprehensive EyeSight driver-assistance suite, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Ascent also had standard automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.