2023 Subaru Ascent

You can choose from eight trim levels: Base 8-Passenger, Premium 8-Passenger, Premium 7-Passenger, Onyx Edition 7-Passenger, Limited 8-Passenger, Limited 7-Passenger, Onyx Edition Limited 7-Passenger, and Touring 7-Passenger. The 2023 Ascent has an angular grille with the Subaru symbol in the middle, angular headlights, a sculpted hood, sculpted sides, raised roof rails, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Onyx Edition 7-Passenger and higher trim levels have 20-inch wheels. The Onyx Edition 7-Passenger, the Onyx Edition Limited 7-Passenger, and the Touring 7-Passenger have a power panoramic moonroof. Available exterior colors include Cosmic Blue Pearl, Autumn Green Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Crimson Red Pearl, Dark Mahogany Pearl, Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, and Magnetite Gray Metallic.

All trim levels have a 2.4-liter, turbocharged Subaru Boxer four-cylinder engine. It gives 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, and comes standard with a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters for the steering wheel as well as an eight-speed manual mode. Drivers can get 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

The Ascent comes with all-wheel drive, electronic stability control, power steering, an independent suspension, traction control, active torque vectoring for better handling and sharper turns, hill descent control, and trailer stability assistance. It sports a Class III trailer hitch which allows a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The fuel tank holds 19.3 gallons, and this vehicle is fun to drive with a smooth, comfortable ride.

With the rear seats folded, the Ascent has 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space. With the moonroof, it has 72.8 cubic feet of room. It also has audio, Bluetooth, and cruise controls on the wheel, three-zone climate control, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Andriod Auto, a six-speaker sound system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Premium and higher trim levels have an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. You can add keyless entry, push-button start, a power rear liftgate with memory settings, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass. With the Limited and higher trims, you'll also get a power passenger seat. You can add navigation and Cabin Connect to project the voices of people in the front row to the third row for easier conversations. A 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is available as well.

Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane centering, lane departure and sway warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency steering. High Beam Assist switches between high and low beams automatically when it detects an oncoming vehicle, and a brake override system keeps you from accidentally pressing the brake and the accelerator at the same time. With the Premium and higher trims, you'll also get lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot detection. The Limited and higher trim levels have a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System to alert drivers if their attention wavers.