2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Subaru Forester

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent was introduced, it filled a significant gap in Subaru's lineup, offering a three-row SUV that had been missing since the ill-fated Tribeca. The Ascent's design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, creating a familiar yet larger vehicle. Inside, the cabin mirrored other Subaru models, likely to foster a sense of continuity for brand loyalists. The Ascent came in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each adding more features and luxury as you moved up the line.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite a redesign in 2019, retained a look that felt older due to its carryover styling. Its boxy, upright shape appealed to SUV shoppers looking for practicality. The Forester Sport trim added some flair with orange striping and black 18-inch alloy wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, ensuring a rugged yet familiar feel. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand wear and tear, and the Sport trim added orange accents for a bit of character.

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, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, provided adequate power for most driving scenarios. The Ascent excelled in comfort, with a ride that absorbed bumps well and handled corners with responsiveness. Its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive made it capable in snow and light off-roading. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and included Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a CVT. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked the power for confident highway merging and overtaking. The Forester’s suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride that absorbed bumps but suffered from body roll in corners and bounce on uneven pavement. Standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode enhanced its capability on different surfaces, and it had 8.7 inches of ground clearance. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds.

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 seated up to eight passengers, or seven with optional second-row captain's chairs. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was best for kids on longer trips. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous storage compartments, though it lacked a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided generous headroom and legroom for five passengers, thanks to its tall roofline. It offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, a power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester had fewer cupholders than the Ascent but featured practical storage solutions. However, the phone-storage cubby was too small for average-sized phones, and wireless charging was not available.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured the StarLink infotainment system with logical menus and large icons. It came with a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Standard tech included four USB ports and satellite radio, with options for third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

The 2021 Subaru Forester also used the StarLink system, starting with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and upgrading to an 8-inch screen on higher trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly but slow to boot up. Additional screens displayed secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, thanks to its crash test results and standard EyeSight suite, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. It also featured 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.

The 2021 Subaru Forester also received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It came standard with EyeSight, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system called DriverFocus. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.