2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek embodied the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Car shoppers flocked to crossovers for their rugged looks, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and tall driving positions, so Subaru decided to imbue its Impreza hatchback with those same characteristics. This strategy allowed the larger Outback to outlast nearly every other station wagon in the United States. Visually, the Crosstrek was differentiated from an Impreza by black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height that afforded 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes had a big impact, allowing the Crosstrek to do a reasonably good impression of an SUV and giving it more character than the base Impreza hatch.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent offered a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The Onyx Edition included water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats and was priced at $37,995, with an option package available for an additional $2,000. The blacked-out treatment gave the Ascent a sporty appearance it previously lacked. Inside, the StarTex upholstery came in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching, and metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels set an appropriate mood. However, the StarTex material tended to trap sweat against the body, making it uncomfortable on hot days.

For 2021, the Subaru Crosstrek received a second gasoline powertrain option. Standard on the Sport and Limited trim levels, the new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine made 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trim levels continued with the previous 2.0-liter boxer-four, which produced 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trim levels, but most buyers likely upgraded to the optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Sport and Limited trim levels were CVT only. All trim levels got standard AWD, including torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces. Despite the SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek maintained predictable handling, a comfortable ride, and low wind noise. The new 2.5-liter engine provided adequate acceleration but was accompanied by plenty of droning from the CVT.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, making 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. A CVT and AWD were standard, with versions featuring 20-inch wheels getting an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined. The Ascent averaged 20.5 mpg on the testing loop. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control using paddles on the steering wheel, allowing the Ascent to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Ascent’s X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance provided more off-roading capability than many competitors. The Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable in urban and suburban driving, with responsive acceleration and excellent outward visibility. However, sudden braking could result in too much braking response, and the advanced adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It had 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Crosstrek was competitive against other small crossovers on passenger space but not cargo space. CVT-equipped models included a rear-seat reminder to prevent leaving children or pets unattended. Up front, the Crosstrek had a handy cubby hole ahead of the shifter with USB and auxiliary ports, but storage space was minimal. The driving position felt higher than an Impreza’s, but outward visibility was good.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but third-row comfort eluded taller adults. The Ascent Onyx Edition included triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened to nearly a 90-degree angle. The Ascent provided plenty of storage, with a useful shelf running the width of the dashboard and large cupholders in the second row. The power liftgate revealed 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third-row seat, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows of seats folded down.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trim levels got a Multimedia Plus setup with WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim level and optional on lower trims. The Crosstrek had large analog knobs and buttons for vital functions like audio volume and climate control, and chunky buttons on the steering wheel controlled EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting with climate control pre-conditioning. The system’s voice recognition technology needed improvement, requiring specific commands to function properly. Onyx Edition models used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim level included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 model a “Top Safety Pick” rating, with the highest “good” rating in all crash tests and for front-crash prevention tech. EyeSight driver-assist features were standard on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Limited trim level included additional features like automatic high beams, reverse automatic braking, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, the highest possible rating in all assessments. The NHTSA gave the Ascent five-star crash-test ratings in all evaluations except for rollover resistance, where it earned a four-star rating. The Ascent came standard with EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including advanced adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight’s performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.