Subaru Ascent vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2024 Subaru Ascent had a design that was somewhat polarizing. Subaru's designers had a history of creating appealing vehicles only to alter them unfavorably during refreshes. This was evident in the Ascent, which had developed some visually offensive features, such as tusks and a bold spear running across the grille into the headlights. Despite these changes, the Ascent lineup remained unchanged, offering various trims from Base to Touring, with prices ranging from $34,395 to $48,695, excluding the destination charge. The Touring trim, which was tested, included premium features like a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, bringing the MSRP to $50,181. The interior materials were of good quality, though the design felt modular and lacked sophistication.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look with slight styling changes, making it resemble a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt straddled the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV, offering a single body style for 2027. Its tall and narrow stance prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty appearance. The interior underwent a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, though the RS trim added Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching for a touch of flair.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a standard all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it versatile for various driving conditions. It excelled in urban environments, rural roads, and off-road trails, offering a rally car-like experience on winding gravel roads. However, it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension tuning. Fuel economy was a downside, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, though real-world tests showed lower figures.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. It had a motor from Chevy's Equinox EV, delivering 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The Bolt's acceleration was quick, with 0-60 mph times in the low seven-second range. It offered one-pedal driving with adjustable brake regeneration levels. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt was agile on curvy roads due to its low center of gravity. The EPA estimated a range of up to 262 miles on a full charge, with a charging speed of 150 kW, allowing for quick recharges.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Touring trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear doors opened wide, making loading children easy, and the roof rails supported up to 700 pounds. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, but legroom was slightly snug. The third-row seat was suitable for short trips, with air conditioning vents and storage space. Cargo space was ample, with up to 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 75.6 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor for center-seat passengers. Cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and there was no frunk. Upfront, there was ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent featured the Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered Starlink connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The system had physical buttons for common functions, but the display washed out in sunlight, and the voice-recognition system was subpar. A surround-view camera and camera-based rearview mirror were available on upper trims.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for music. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. It also offered vehicle-to-load charging for backup power.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was synonymous with safety, featuring a high-strength steel platform and the EyeSight safety suite. It received five-star ratings from NHTSA, except for rollover resistance, and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS. EyeSight included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. However, the lane-centering assist technology was problematic, causing steering issues.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not yet available, but it was expected to perform well. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera, digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise was available for hands-free highway driving.