2022 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a trendy blacked-out exterior trim. This edition sat in the middle of the Ascent lineup, offering a sporty appearance that was previously absent. Buyers could choose from Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $32,295 to $45,445, plus a destination fee. The Onyx Edition, priced at $37,995, included black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille, and water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats. While the gray two-tone interior was preferable to a black one, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable feature, though only available on the Touring trim.

The 2022 Ford Expedition underwent several changes, including exterior styling revisions and updated infotainment technology. It featured a new grille, headlights, and bumper, along with redesigned wheels across its lineup. Available in XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, the Expedition's prices ranged from just over $55,000 to just under $84,000, including the destination charge. The new Timberline trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with standard 4WD and off-roading tech. The Stealth Edition packages, available with Limited trim, added black 22-inch wheels and a mix of blacked-out and body-color exterior trim. Inside, the Expedition boasted a redesigned dashboard with Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, offering a sophisticated user experience.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a CVT and AWD, achieving an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined. The Ascent's flat-four engine layout contributed to a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing the Ascent to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The SUV's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance provided off-roading capability. While the Ascent demonstrated nimbleness in urban settings, its lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies sometimes created an unstable driving experience.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD as an option. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg combined, with a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds. The Expedition's powertrain offered addictive performance, though it consumed more fuel when pushed hard. The Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension contributed to a harsh ride quality, but the SUV's excellent outward visibility and parking aids made it easy to maneuver. On highways, the Expedition excelled, providing a comfortable and quiet ride, ideal for long road trips.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could accommodate up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The SUV offered a comfortable driving position and was equipped for winter weather with features like heated front seats and a wiper de-icer. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The interior featured ample storage, including a dashboard shelf and large cupholders.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior comfort, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs offered plenty of legroom and climate controls, while the third row provided outstanding leg support. Cargo space measured 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Expedition Max variant offered even more cargo capacity. The SUV's interior was well-appointed, with thoughtful storage solutions and available massaging seats.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent featured a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. Premium trims added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. While the system was user-friendly, its voice recognition technology needed improvement. The Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality, and the Harman Kardon premium sound system was not available for this trim.

The 2022 Ford Expedition introduced Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter offering a 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot. Sync 4A featured an upgraded voice-recognition system and adaptive dashcard user interface. The Expedition's technology package included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, though it lacked high-volume fidelity. The SUV also offered Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 and an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and its adaptive cruise control lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and available blind-spot monitoring.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered three Ford Co-Pilot360 packages, with standard features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Expedition also introduced Road Edge Detection and BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. While the adaptive cruise control performed smoothly, the lane-centering assist had issues with sensing hands on the steering wheel and maintaining lane position in heavy traffic.