2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Subaru Ascent

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent was introduced, it filled a significant gap in Subaru's lineup, which had been missing a three-row SUV since the poorly received Tribeca. The Ascent's design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, making it instantly recognizable as part of the Subaru family. The interior followed the same theme, with a dashboard design that mirrored other Subaru models, likely to create a sense of familiarity for buyers. The Ascent was available in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each offering progressively more features, from driver-assistance technologies to premium audio systems.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler, on the other hand, maintained its iconic look that has remained largely unchanged over the years. Key design elements like circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges made it unmistakable. Depending on the trim, the Wrangler could be customized with different fenders, tops, and other styling touches. Inside, the Wrangler was all about function over comfort, with upright seating and minimal legroom. The trims ranged from the bare-bones Sport to the off-road-ready Rubicon, each offering different levels of features and capabilities.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent was designed for comfort and handled well in various driving conditions, including snow and light off-roading, thanks to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode system. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds and came with Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler also introduced a plug-in hybrid 4xe and the powerful Rubicon 392 with a 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's various 4WD systems, including Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, made it a formidable off-roader.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. It could seat up to eight passengers, or seven with the optional second-row captain's chairs. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was better suited for children. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous storage compartments, but lacked a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Wrangler's interior was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium cloth soft tops, and the Freedom hardtop. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, which could open or close in 18 seconds at speeds up to 60 mph.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent came with Subaru's StarLink infotainment system, featuring logical menus and large icons. It offered two touchscreen options, 6.5-inch and 8-inch, both with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard tech included four USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth, with available features like third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim had a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, complemented by steering wheel radio toggles. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera with its own washer-sprayer.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ thanks to its crash test results and Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Ascent also offered optional features like reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler did come with a backup camera and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.