2023 Jeep Wrangler 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 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 in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. The Onyx Edition was priced at $37,995, with an additional $2,000 option package that included a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, and a cargo cover.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler continued its rugged, take-no-prisoners design aesthetic with its fourth-generation JL model. Available in both two-door and four-door configurations, the Wrangler allowed for door removal and offered an optional Dual-Door Group for better visibility. The windshield could fold down, and various top options were available for open-air exploring. The Wrangler's design included wide fenders, Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted up for easy access to the cargo area. The new limited-edition purple paint color, Reign, added a unique touch to the SUV.

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 featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent achieved an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, with our testing loop averaging 20.5 mpg. The engine's flat-four or boxer layout provided a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT offered 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 enhanced its off-roading capabilities.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of engine options, including a standard V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 with 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, while the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered 21 miles of all-electric range. Our tester, the Rubicon 392, showcased impressive off-road capabilities with its full-time four-wheel drive, Off-Road Plus button, and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.5 seconds. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less refined, making on-road performance less enjoyable.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though third-row comfort was limited for taller adults. 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 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 folded down.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but rear seat space was tight, especially in the four-door models. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and center consoles. The Wrangler offered 72.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece or with two front panels, and the soft top was fairly easy to remove. The Sky One-Touch power soft top provided a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler featured multiple charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring 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. 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 Jeep Wrangler featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen running Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Jeep's off-road pages with information about power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. The Wrangler offered a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and four auxiliary switches for aftermarket lighting. However, it lacked advanced tech features like a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

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, which included 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, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard on the top 392 model and optional on other trims. The Wrangler received mixed ratings from the IIHS, with some trims' headlights receiving a Poor ranking. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash test rating and three out of five stars for rollover rating.