2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim that gave the SUV a sporty appearance. This trim level was positioned in the middle of the Ascent lineup, offering a unique grille design, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, and special interior trim. The Onyx Edition's interior was wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, available in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. While the interior color was appealing, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable feature, though they were only available on the Ascent Touring trim.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was known for its class and elegance, with a design that referenced the big Range Rover's profile in a sporty package. The Velar's exterior featured a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a trapezoidal roof, with subtle adjustments like a sloping roof and wide shoulder crease. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's all-black cabin was dressed down compared to previous models, with lower-grade leather and a few splashes of aluminum. The interior featured three screens with sharp graphics, and the materials, even in the base trim, were of high quality.

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 continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, though testing showed an average of 20.5 mpg. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance provided off-roading capability. However, the lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could make the driving experience feel uncertain.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's optional air suspension with adaptive dampers provided a plush ride and up to 10 inches of clearance. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system offered 340 to 395 horsepower, depending on the trim. The Velar's Terrain Response system had six driving modes, but its off-road capability was limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent offered a comfortable driving position and was equipped for winter weather with features like heated front seats and a wiper de-icer. The second-row seats were easy to access, and captain's chairs were available. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. The panoramic sunroof reduced cargo space slightly.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design included a controversial parking brake control integrated with the transmission button, which was not intuitive. The Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the interface, and the Velar featured a heated windshield, navigation with traffic detours, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. The Touring trim offered additional features like a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was more reliable than previous Land Rover systems. It featured a simplified layout with customizable options and a voice assistant. The Velar included a PM2.5 air filter, a heated windshield, and navigation with traffic detours. The 4x4 app provided off-road measurements, and the 360-degree cameras offered a 3D view. The instrument panel could display full-width maps, and the Velar came standard with LED headlights, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

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. The Ascent came standard with EyeSight driver-assistance technology, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. However, the system's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and its behavior could be unsettling. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and optional blind-spot monitoring.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored five stars in the European NCAP, but U.S. crash-test ratings were not available. The Velar came standard with forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.