The 2020 Subaru Ascent lasts around 150,000 miles, with some engine and electrical issues reported. At $25,050 to $37,300, it’s not worth the money since you’ll spend thousands repairing it as issues pop up over time.
Is the 2020 Subaru Ascent a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – 2020 is a bad year for the Subaru Ascent since there are a lot of serious problems, making it a year to avoid. Owner reviews complain about electrical problems, frequent breakdowns, along with expensive parts costs.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior are fairly upscale for a midsize SUV, the seats are supportive on long trips, cargo space is also very good.
- Reliability 6/10 – There are widespread electrical and mechanical problems on models from 2019–2020, while 2021–2023 are more reliable choices.
- Performance 7/10 – The turbocharged four-cylinder engine offers a reasonable amount of power, but it’s not as quick as some of the competitors.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Ascent is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with adaptive cruise control along with emergency braking. Optional upgrades include lane change assist along with blind spot monitoring.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is fine at up to 23 MPG, offering 440 miles of range from the 19.3 gallon tank. Gas costs are $18 lower than average, at $221 per month.
- Value 7/10 – The 2020 Subaru Ascent is less expensive than some other midsize SUVs, but the high repair costs lower its overall value score.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Subaru Ascent?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Subaru Ascent offers a very functional and practical interior, but it gets lower owner satisfaction scores than the competition.
- Edmunds rates the Subaru Ascent at 4/5, enjoying the responsive stereo system, but it doesn’t like the vibrations in the cabin on larger bumps.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Ascent a 4/5, praising the standard all-wheel drive system in the snow, but owners don’t like the limited legroom in the third row.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Subaru Ascent Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Subaru Ascent include check engine lights, excessive battery draining, and cracked windshields. Overall, these problems are worse than other midsize SUVs from the same year, leading to more expensive repair costs as the Ascent ages.
Check engine lights are the most widespread complaint from 2020 Ascent owners, showing up at around 5,000 miles. There are a lot of engine sensor issues, which are known to show up on the Ascent, and cost $350 to $600 to replace, depending on the source of the problem. To determine which sensors have gone bad, you will need to use an OBD-II scan tool.
Excessive battery drain is another problem found on the 2020 Subaru Ascent at around 3,500 miles. There are a lot of electrical accessories in the Ascent, and some of them stay on while the vehicle is off, draining the battery. Diagnosing the source of the battery drain costs around $100, while fixing it can cost $20 to $500.
Cracked windshields have also been reported by Ascent owners within the first 2,500 miles. There are production runs of glass which are very fragile and crack easily. The windshield is fairly expensive to replace, costing around $850, depending on local labor rates.
There are four recalls on the 2020 Subaru Ascent, which is worse than some competitors from the same year. The most serious recall is for improperly fastened ground bolts, which can cause a fire while the vehicle is parked. Subaru will replace the bolts on affected models for free. Other recalls include the tie rods, fuel pump, and the drive chain. Subaru will fix those issues at no cost as well.
How Long Will the 2020 Subaru Ascent Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Subaru Ascent may last around 150,000 miles, which is much shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than average, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $735 per year.
As a used 2020 Ascent reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history report, owners should be prepared to replace the wheel bearings for $400, radiator hoses costing $650, along with the water pump, which costs $1,100.
How Is the Technology?
The standard entertainment technology is good, offering a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch screen, and a more powerful Harman Kardon sound system..
Standard safety technology is better than the competition, and features:
- Lane departure and sway warning
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision warning
- Pre-collision throttle management
- Head-up display
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Rear seat alert
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front-view camera
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Rearview camera mirror
- Automatic high-beam and adaptive headlights
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Lane change assist
- Reverse automatic braking
Is the 2020 Subaru Ascent a Good Value?
No, the 2020 Subaru Ascent is not a good value since there are still a lot of expensive mechanical problems reported from owners, making it one to avoid. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $25,050 to $37,300, making it less than a Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. When new, the price range was $31,995 to $45,045. Depreciation is similar to other midsize SUVs, losing about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Subaru Ascent?
There are four main models of the 2020 Subaru Ascent offered, from the entry-level Base through to the more luxurious Touring. All models come standard with all-wheel drive.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- Three-zone climate control
- Apple CarPlay compatibility
- Android Auto compatibility
- Limited to eight-passenger seating
- Tow rating limited to 2,000 pounds
- 5-inch touchscreen
- Four USB ports
- Six-speaker stereo
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Alloy wheels
- Rearview camera
- Subaru’s EyeSight suite of safety features
- Pre-collision warning and braking system
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
Premium is a step up, adding:
- Upgraded interior materials
- 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability
- 20-inch wheels
- Seven- or eight-passenger seating options
- Option packages with keyless entry
- Power rear liftgate
- Tow rating increased to 5,000 pounds
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Second-row climate controls
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
Limited has more items, such as:
- Most Premium optional features as standard
- Seating configuration options
- Option package with Harman Kardon audio system
- Panoramic sunroof
- Leather seats
- Additional power adjustments for front seats
- Heated second-row outboard seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Two additional USB ports
- Proximity keyless entry
- Reverse automatic emergency braking
- Power liftgate
Touring is the flagship model, which has:
- Fully loaded with all available features
- Sold in seven-passenger configuration only
- Navigation system
- 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo
- Panoramic moonroof
- Ventilated front seats
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Rear camera mirror
- Front-view monitor
- Distinctive styling elements.
What Engines Come In the Subaru Ascent?
The 2020 Subaru Ascent comes with a single engine option. It’s powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine that delivers 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offers a combined fuel economy of 23 MPG. As for acceleration, the Ascent can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.4 seconds.
What Colors Does the Subaru Ascent Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Subaru Ascent?
The 2020 Subaru Ascent is lauded for its comfort, ensuring both drivers and passengers have an enjoyable experience on the road. Its interior is designed with high-quality materials that provide a soft touch and a refined look. The seating, available in cloth or leather depending on the trim level, is supportive and offers ample cushioning, making long drives considerably more tolerable. Both the front and second-row seats provide generous legroom, while the third row, though cozier, remains suitable for children or shorter trips with adults.
Beyond mere space, the Ascent comes with amenities such as tri-zone automatic climate control, ensuring all passengers can customize their temperature settings. Additionally, the ride quality is smooth, with the vehicle’s suspension adeptly soaking up road imperfections. Road and wind noise are also minimal, thanks to effective insulation, making the cabin a serene environment. With its combination of space, quality materials, and thoughtfully designed amenities, the 2020 Subaru Ascent stands out as a comfortable choice in the midsize SUV segment.
How Much Storage Space Does the Subaru Ascent Have?
The 2020 Subaru Ascent is designed with spaciousness in mind, catering to both passengers and cargo. When it comes to cargo capacity, the Ascent offers versatility depending on the seating configuration. Behind the third row, there’s 17.8 cubic feet of space, enough to accommodate items like a stroller, several grocery bags, or carry-on luggage.
Should you need more room, folding down the third row expands this space to 47.5 cubic feet. And if you’re in need of maximum storage, with both the second and third rows folded down, the Ascent boasts an impressive 86.5 cubic feet, making it suitable for larger loads like bicycles, camping equipment, or sizable furniture pieces. In addition to this ample cargo room, the interior of the Ascent is also peppered with numerous small storage spaces such as door pockets, a sizable center console, and cup holders, making it easy for passengers to stow away personal items or snacks for the journey.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Subaru Ascent was introduced for the 2019 model year as the largest SUV offered by Subaru.
2019: First model year for the Subaru Ascent, offering new engines, styling, and technology features compared to other SUVs.
2020: Standard power-folding side mirrors and a rear-seat reminder system.
2021: Adaptive cruise control added to Subaru’s EyeSight features, responsive LED headlights added.
2022: Sport package removed from the Premium model, new Onyx Edition with black exterior trim.
2023: New front and rear styling choices, more driver assistance features, and a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
How Does the Subaru Ascent Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Subaru Ascent is a bad midsize SUV since it’s more expensive to own long term than most of the competition, we recommend going for a newer model from 2021 if you want an Ascent.
The Honda Pilot is another midsize SUV, which costs about $2,000 more. Passenger room is better in the Honda Pilot, while the Subaru Ascent offers better off-road performance with the standard all-wheel drive system. We recommend the Honda Pilot since it’s a more reliable SUV with lower running costs.
The Toyota Highlander is a popular competitor, which costs about $4,000 more. Standard safety features are better in the Toyota Highlander, while the Subaru Ascent offers a more luxurious interior. We recommend the Toyota Highlander since it’s one of the most reliable midsize SUVs on the market.
