2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

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 included black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The seats were wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, which was available only in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. While the blacked-out treatment added a sporty look, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making it less comfortable on hot days.

The Ascent offered a range of trim levels, including Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring, with prices starting at $32,295 and going up to $45,445. The Onyx Edition was priced at $37,995, with an optional package for an additional $2,000 that included a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, and a cargo cover. The interior featured metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels, creating an appropriate mood. However, the lack of ventilated seats in the Onyx Edition was a drawback, as they were only available in the Touring trim.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. The new model was 2.5 inches longer and half an inch wider, giving it a more muscular stance. The classic D-pillar taillights were updated to feature three L shapes, adding a modern and aggressive look. The rear end appeared blockier, mimicking the bold front fascia, and all headlights and taillights were now LED.

The Sport Touring trim, which we reviewed, came in deep Canyon River Blue and featured black roof rails, black mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and black 19-inch wheels. The interior design followed the trend seen in the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with a honeycomb grille surrounding the climate control vents. The materials in the Sport Touring cabin felt high-quality, and the contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel added an attractive touch. The overall design aimed for a more premium feel, which was successfully achieved.

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 with 20-inch wheels had an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, though our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg. The engine's horizontally-opposed layout, also known as a flat-four or boxer engine, provided a lower center of gravity for improved handling.

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 SUV's acceleration was brisk, and passing power was commendable. The standard 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. However, the advanced adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement, creating an unsettled sensation when engaged.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a new hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 115 mph. The hybrid setup provided more power without compromising efficiency, making the CR-V Hybrid more responsive and suitable for tasks like merging onto a highway. It also had a towing capacity of up to 1,000 lbs.

The CR-V Hybrid introduced a fourth drive mode: Snow, in addition to Sport, Normal, and Econ. The drive modes primarily adjusted accelerator response, with Snow mode utilizing the updated Real Time AWD system. The new "B" shifter position increased regenerative braking, sending more power back to the battery during braking and approximating a one-pedal driving experience. The front-wheel drive (FWD) CR-V Hybrid achieved 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined, making it more fuel-efficient than the AWD version and the turbocharged model.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third-row seats were best reserved for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, 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. Captain's chairs were available with every trim level, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the second-row seats.

The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third-row seat, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet with both rows of seats folded down. Versions with the panoramic sunroof had slightly less cargo space. The interior featured plenty of storage, including a useful shelf running the width of the dashboard and large cupholders in the second row.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded. This was comparable to the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and more than the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Sport Touring model had a hands-free power tailgate, and all new CR-Vs had wide-opening rear doors for easy access to the rear seating area. The improved LATCH system was beneficial for families frequently moving car seats.

Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, allowing two people over 6 feet tall to sit comfortably, one behind another. The reclining rear seats offered eight positions, and headroom measured 38.2 inches in both rows. The cubby ahead of the shifter could hold two smartphones side by side, and the CR-V had eight cupholders throughout the cabin. The console provided best-in-class storage.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with available Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting with climate control pre-conditioning. Both infotainment systems included volume and tuning knobs, as well as buttons for system features.

The voice recognition technology needed improvement, as it required a level of specificity that many users might not expect. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen display with physical volume and tuning knobs. The Sport Touring trim had a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob and hard Seek buttons. Both Hybrid models had two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and heated front seats. The Sport Touring trim added driver’s seat memory, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including advanced adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, the system performed intermittently in direct sunlight and lacked refinement, creating an unsettled sensation when engaged.

Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (available from Premium trim), reverse automatic braking, and a Starlink Safety and Security subscription plan with automatic collision notification and SOS emergency assistance.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. New safety features included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, low-speed braking control, blind-spot information system, cross-traffic monitor, parking sensor system, rear-seat reminder, and rear seatbelt reminder.

The CR-V Hybrid also featured new airbags, dashboard patches, and a 15% stiffer structure for additional crash protection. Increased visibility further enhanced safety, and the vehicle had already earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.