Subaru Ascent Best and Worst Years (Top Picks!)

A midsize, three-row SUV called the Subaru Ascent was introduced for the 2019 model year. 

It’s the most significant car in the Subaru portfolio and a terrific pick for families that want to go on adventures.

This post will examine Ascent’s best and worst years in detail.

VIDEO: Subaru Ascent Consumer Reports Top Pick

Subaru Ascent Best and Worst Years

The years for the Subaru Ascent have been mixed. The finest Subaru Ascent model years, according to Enginepatrol.com, are 2023, 2022, and 2021, while the worst model years are 2019 and 2020. The 2020 Subaru Ascent performed better in terms of reliability than the 2019 model year, which had several issues, according to Copilotsearch.com. The Ascent, however, has numerous reliability concerns for the 2019 and 2020 model years, according to Motorbiscuit.com. The 2019 Subaru Ascent is the least dependable model, according to Fourwheeltrends.com. It has a lot of faults, including gearbox and climate system problems. It’s vital to remember that a single Subaru Ascent’s reliability may differ based on its maintenance record, mileage, and other elements. Before making a purchase, looking at the Subaru Ascent’s dependability is advised. For those who value dependability and versatility, the Subaru Ascent is a solid midsize SUV with cutting-edge amenities and firm performance.

What Are The Subaru Ascent’s Best Years?

Subaru Ascent 2023

The 2023 Ascent is a member of the first generation, which debuted in 2019. It features the newest technology and has fewer teething problems than its older forerunners. Additionally, this vehicle won the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ distinction.

A new front and back design, a larger touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all upgrades for 2023.

It comes equipped with all-wheel drive and offers an outstanding 8.7-inch ground clearance.

Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring are the six trim levels available to buyers.

Pricing varies between about $35,000 and $49,500. 

The Limited is the most popular trim, costing about $43,000. 

A 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and CVT transmission are standard on all models.

20 MPG for city driving, 26 MPG on the highway, and 22 MPG for mixed travel are the EPA’s fuel efficiency estimates. 

Reverse Automatic Braking, EyeSight Assist Monitor, and Blind Spot Monitoring are noteworthy safety features. 

• Edmunds: 4.5 out of 5
• 4.0/5.0 on the Kelley Blue Book
• J.D. Power: 82 out of 100

Subaru Ascent 2022

When looking for an Ascent, the 2022 Ascent is another safe option; it has earned good customer feedback and has received relatively few complaints on the NHTSA website thus far.

It has an extended range of helpful driving aids, a straightforward infotainment system, and high ground clearance. 

The Onyx Edition trim has an entirely blacked-out exterior and is brand-new for this particular model year. 

Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring are the five trim levels.

The Limited grade offers the best value for your money if you desire a few extra options, including heated second-row seats and folding mirrors with integrated turn signals. 

A 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine (260 horsepower) is standard on all grades and has comparable fuel economy ratings.

According to EPA estimates, you may anticipate up to 21 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on the highway, and 23 MPG when traveling both ways.

According to owner reviews, this model’s appearance, comfort, interior, safety, and driving experience are its most outstanding features. 

• Edmunds: 4.5 out of 5
• 4.0/5.0 on the Kelley Blue Book
• J.D. Power: 82 out of 100

Subaru Ascent 2021

For those looking for a model that balances price and dependability (models made before 2021 were notorious for being far more problematic), the 2021 Ascent is a decent option.

The Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist, steering-responsive LED headlamps, and a second-row and third-row seat belt notifier are notable upgrades for this model year.

The 2021 Ascent is well-built, features a user-friendly infotainment system, and a ton of driving assistance.

It has standard AWD and a 5,000-pound towing capacity, making it perfect for camping trips.

20 MPG for city driving, 26 MPG on the highway, and 22 MPG for mixed travel are the current fuel efficiency ratings. 

Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring are the available trims.

Prices for used cars from this specific model year range from roughly $37,000 to $39,000. 

A few owners have voiced concerns about the windshields being prone to breaking and the lane keep assist over-correcting.

• Edmunds: 3.8 out of 5
• 4.0/5.0 on the Kelley Blue Book
• J.D. Power: 82 out of 100

What Are The Subaru Ascent’s Worst Years?

Subaru Ascent 2019

According to statistics from CarComplaints.com and CarProblemZoo.com, the 2019 Ascent has experienced the most problems of any model year. Since this was the first model year, it is not unexpected that it is the most problematic.

The 2019 Ascent’s battery draining issue, which was connected to a defective tailgate sensor, was the most common.

The windshield’s propensity to easily and frequently crack for no apparent cause has also received extensive press attention.

Owners claimed that a new windshield was eventually needed as the cracks grew more prominent.

Another frequent concern included transmission issues.

Among the symptoms were on-grass hesitancy, gear slippage, lack of power, failure to accelerate, accidental acceleration, and jerkiness.

Additionally, several owners claimed total transmission failure.

Total complaints for the 2019 Ascent were 67 on CarComplaints.com and 461 on CarProblemZoo.com.

Common issues:

• Battery loss from an open tailgate
• Does not begin
• Windshields easily break
• Mechanics’ problems

Subaru Ascent 2020

The 2020 Ascent experienced many of the same issues as the 2019 Ascent, with fewer overall complaints.

The most severe problem was battery drain; many owners blamed a broken tailgate. 

Windshield cracking is another major issue.

Additional transmission issues were noted, though different from the prior 2019 model.

Owners reported that the transmission would slip when the car accelerated and made odd noises. They also reported that the car would lurch forward but not accelerate.

Total complaints for the 2020 Ascent were 14 on CarComplaints.com and 293 on CarProblemZoo.com.

Common issues:

• Windshield cracks easily
• Overnight battery failure
• The issue with brake rotor wear

How Safe Is Subaru Ascent?

A midsize SUV with cutting-edge safety features, the Subaru Ascent is secure. According to Subaru of America, the 2022 Subaru Ascent SUV is one of the safest cars you can buy this year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also awarded the 2023 Subaru Ascent a five-star overall safety rating.

In addition, the Ascent received some of the highest overall ratings of any midsize SUV from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning the designation of Top Safety Pick+.

Several safety features are included with the Subaru Ascent, such as advanced front airbags, side curtain airbags, a rearview camera, traction control, and the most recent EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, which includes accident prevention features like lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist system.

The Subaru Ascent is a secure option when selecting a car for your family, thanks to its outstanding safety ratings and wide range of safety features.

Reliability of Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent is more or less reliable, depending on the model year. The 2022 Subaru Ascent receives a predicted reliability score of 80/100 from U.S. News and provides families with excellent dependability and comfort. However, due to several problems, Consumer Reports predicts that Ascent’s 2019 model will only be 1 out of 5 reliable.

Regarding reliability, the 2020 Subaru Ascent performed better than the 2019 model year, although it still had recurring issues. The Ascent experienced several dependability concerns in the 2019 and 2020 model years, according to Motorbiscuit.com.

It’s vital to remember that a single Subaru Ascent’s reliability may differ based on its maintenance record, mileage, and other elements.

Before making a purchase, looking at the Subaru Ascent’s dependability is advised. J.D. Power estimates that 96% of all Subaru cars sold in the last ten years are still on the road, which reflects the brand’s dependability.

Overall, the Subaru Ascent is an excellent midsize SUV with cutting-edge amenities and firm performance, but before making a purchase, it’s crucial to pick a dependable model year and take the car’s maintenance history into account.

How to find the best deals on a Subaru Ascent?

Look at online automobile marketplaces like Cars.usnews.com, Carsdirect.com, and Truecar.com to get the most incredible bargains on a Subaru Ascent.

You may use these websites to look up new and used Subaru Ascents in your neighborhood and compare their pricing at various dealerships. To get the best value possible, haggle with dealerships as well.

It’s crucial to remember that the cost of a Subaru Ascent can change according to the model level, location, and mileage. To ensure you’re getting a good deal for your money, it’s a good idea to investigate the Subaru Ascent’s dependability before purchasing. J.D. Power estimates that 96% of all Subaru cars sold in the last ten years are still on the road, which reflects the brand’s dependability.

Another option is to lease a Subaru Ascent with cheaper upfront costs and monthly payments. Edmunds.com says the Subaru Ascent frequently has exclusive lease offers and incentives. Again, you can discover the most excellent prices on a Subaru Ascent by shopping around and haggling with dealerships.

Tips for maintaining your Subaru Ascent

Maintaining your Subaru Ascent is crucial to preserve its dependability and longevity. You can maintain the condition of your Ascent by adhering to the suggested maintenance schedule provided by the Subaru service center.

For further instructions and advice on maintenance, consult the owner’s handbook. To run efficiently, your Subaru Ascent needs regular oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections.

Additionally, you can look for any prospective difficulties’ warning signals, such as odd noises or vibrations, and take immediate action to resolve them.

Before acquiring a used Subaru Ascent, looking at the engine performance and other amenities is crucial to saving money on costly repairs3. J.D. Power estimates that 96% of all Subaru cars sold in the last ten years are still on the road, which reflects the brand’s dependability.

Before making a purchase, it is advised to pick a dependable model year and consider the car’s maintenance history.

You can keep your Subaru Ascent in good shape, assure its dependability, and lengthen its lifespan according to the suggested maintenance schedule and take care of any concerns right away.

How Can You Tell Whether Something Is a Lemon?

Purchase a vehicle history report.

There is no better initial step when purchasing a used car than to obtain a car history report. Two well-known services offer this information for little money: Anyone looking to purchase a used car will find the information provided by CarFax and AutoCheck extremely helpful.

The reports let you know the number of past owners, whether or not it had any accidents, how frequently it required maintenance, and the current title.

The final section is among the most crucial since it contains the lemon label, which attests that the car followed the correct legal procedures to be designated as a lemon.

However, in some areas, dealers must inform a customer if the vehicle is a manufacturer buyback, which is a reliable way to determine whether a vehicle has a lemon title.

However, it is the responsibility of the buyer to conduct a thorough investigation into the vehicle’s history.

Therefore, consumers may need help if they accidentally purchase a secondhand lemon because they must inspect it first.

Owner Background

You can view the owner’s history on the vehicle history report, which should indicate whether the manufacturer has purchased the vehicle back.

While owners can claim a car is a lemon in a legal dispute and ask the automaker to buy back the problematic vehicle, that is a guaranteed technique to determine if the car was labeled a lemon.

You can also determine if the vehicle was sold or traded before it was given a lemon tag if the prior owner may have missed an issue. It also implies that the car’s persistent issue must be apparent.

Repair Record

Look carefully at the vehicle’s repair record and try to identify any recurring issues. Recurring problems in cars with lemon histories are simple to spot. You can determine whether the issues with the car are minor wear and tear concerns, such as those with the clutch or brakes, or a more severe problem.

Check to discover if the repairs were necessary or carried out even when the car was brand new. It can assist in determining whether the car is a lemon or if an incident like a collision or modification caused a misdiagnosed issue.

Are the repairs significant or minor? A severe repair would deal with the drivetrain or suspension, whereas a superficial one would address non-driving-related issues like window or seat controls.

Severe repairs would be more challenging, but handling a car might not be a hassle if a car was considered a lemon for a less severe cause.

The report also shows whether repairs are being made at a dealership or a general shop. Like you would with any used car, examine the vehicle’s general condition and health and determine whether routine maintenance has also been carried out. This will assist you in deciding whether or not you should consider purchasing this car.

Inspection before purchase

Is the car still a good investment? You should get a pre-purchase inspection if the flaws are not too concerning or if you believe the automobile may have been incorrectly labeled as a lemon.

A mechanic can determine whether the problems are repairable and why the car was considered a lemon.

A technician can assist you in determining whether or not a recurring issue is indicative of more severe problems or worries about the quality of the vehicle.

Their satisfaction with the car might help determine if it is a worthwhile investment or a lost cause.

Subaru Ascent FAQ’s

Subaru Ascent: Is it good or bad?

Subaru Ascent in 2022

The 2022 Ascent is deserving of a Quality & Reliability score of 81/100 and an overall score of 82/100, according to J.D. Power. Since its introduction, the Subaru Ascent’s reliability has generally increased. It’s still far from being the most dependable car in the Subaru portfolio, though.

Which Subaru Ascent is the nicest?

The top-of-the-line Subaru Ascent is the Touring. All of the Limited’s standard and available amenities are there, along with Touring-only extras like ventilated front seats, Slate Black or Java Brown leather upholstery, and rain-sensing wipers.

How long does a Subaru Ascent last?

What is the maximum mileage for a Subaru Ascent? The 2021 Subaru Ascent is a tough car with an expected lifespan of 200,000 to 250,000 km. With 15,000 miles driven on average annually, that equals a lifespan of between 13 to 17 years.

Subaru Ascent is produced in Japan.

Indiana Subaru Automotive

Lafayette, Indiana is home to Subaru’s sole sizable facility abroad. The Ascent, Outback, Legacy, and Impreza are all produced by Subaru of Indiana Automotive, or SIA, which has the capacity to produce well over 300,000 vehicles yearly.

Does Toyota manufacture the Subaru Ascent?

A mid-size crossover SUV from Subaru with three rows of seating is called the Ascent. It is offered as the Subaru Evoltis in various areas. It is the biggest vehicle that Subaru produces.