2023 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. This trim level aimed to give the Ascent a sporty appearance that it previously lacked. The interior of the Onyx Edition came with water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching, which was a welcome change from the typical black interior often associated with blacked-out exteriors. However, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making it less comfortable on hot days.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V adopted a cleaner and slightly meaner look with its blunt nose, long hood, and stretched wheelbase. The CR-V EX and EX-L trims both featured 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, giving them a similar exterior appearance. Inside, the EX-L trim offered leather-wrapped seats, a steering wheel, and a shift knob, while the EX trim came with cloth upholstery. The dashboard design, inspired by the latest Civic, included metal mesh trim that incorporated the air vents, creating a line of demarcation between the upper and lower portions of the dashboard. The interior exuded quality and simplicity, with both trims featuring a digital instrumentation display.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 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 for versions with 20-inch wheels, and during testing, it averaged 20.5 mpg. The engine's horizontally-opposed layout, also known as a flat-four or boxer engine, contributed to a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent also had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and came with Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L trims were powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generated 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. The engine was paired with a CVT that powered either the front or all four wheels. While the CVT was known for its droning noise during hard acceleration, the CR-V's suspension, steering, and brakes were finely tuned, providing a satisfying driving experience. The CR-V handled speed bumps, uneven pavement, and mountain curves with ease, and its fuel economy was impressive, averaging 29.1 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but the third-row seats were best suited 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. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space 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 folded down.

The 2023 Honda CR-V was the roomiest CR-V yet, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat that sat relatively low, giving it a car-like feel. The second row felt more spacious, offering a high seating position with plenty of thigh support and rear legroom. The CR-V EX-L trim included air conditioning vents for rear passengers, but a USB charging port was an extra-cost accessory. The CR-V's cargo area provided 39.3 cubic feet of space with the rear load floor panel in its lowest position and 76.5 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included 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. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers 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 featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with large stereo volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EX-L trim added a 9-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system. However, to get a Bose premium sound system, HondaLink subscription services, and a navigation system with real-time traffic, buyers had to opt for the top-of-the-line CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid.

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) in all evaluations except for rollover resistance, where it earned four stars. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, the system's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The CR-V also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a seatbelt reminder system, a rear-seat reminder system, a driver monitoring system, and traffic sign recognition. The new camera and radar units contributed to more accurate and refined operation, but the lane-centering assist displayed uncertainty in certain situations. The CR-V was built to Honda's latest Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure standards, but it had not yet been re-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.