The 2020 Subaru Ascent is nearly as rational a family hauler as a minivan.
Pros Well-conceived interior Standard AWD Lots of safety tech Decent power Great value
Cons Short on powertrain refinement Seats a little narrow Fuel economy just so-so Hardly stylish
The 2020 Subaru Ascent comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic.Adds a standard rear-seat reminder alert system.Adds power-folding side mirrors.
PROS Substantial list of standard and optional driving aids High-quality interior materials Generous ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive Easy-to-use infotainment system
CONS Accelerator pedal is too touchy Invasive engine and tire noise Not much second-row shoulder room, and third row is tight Rolling over bumps at higher speeds sends vibrations through the cabin
Since the Ascent was all new for 2019, Subaru makes the mildest of changes to its largest model for 2020. A newly standard alert system—called Rear Seat Reminder—helps to prevent people from leaving items in the back seats by beeping a warning and displaying a message on the instrument panel. Starting with the Premium trim level, each Ascent now features one-touch controls to turn the interior lighting on or off. The 2020 Ascent now offers a vehicle lock button with its optional power-operated rear gate, and the top-tier Touring version receives power-folding exterior mirrors with built-in turn signals. Measuring 204.7 inches long and sitting on a 117.7-inch wheelbase, the Viziv-7 is some 15 inches longer than Subaru’s Outback, and its wheelbase is more than nine inches greater. The Viziv-7 also is larger than most mainstream three-row, mid-size crossover SUVs. While the Buick Enclave, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Dodge Durango, and the Ford Flex ride on longer wheelbases, the Subaru’s overall length is greater than all four. Additionally, the Viziv-7’s 79.9-inch width and 72.0-inch height (73.2 inches including the roof rails) are tops among today’s segment offerings. Needless to say, if the Viziv-7’s dimensions carry over to the production vehicle, Subaru’s new SUV promises to dwarf the other models in the lineup as it attempts to move far beyond the cramped Tribeca
We believe the production vehicle will go by the name Ascent, given that Subaru recently registered that moniker with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Spy photographers recently caught Subaru testing its new three-row crossover, and along for comparison was both a Mazda CX-9 and a Ford Explorer; like them, we expect the Ascent to offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, although the 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that’s optional in the Outback is also a possibility. We’ll know more in the coming months, as Subaru says its production three-row crossover will enter our market in early 2018.
The 2020 Subaru Ascent ranked #5 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Subaru Ascent has a score of 8.1 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 24 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Large cargo area Lengthy list of standard safety and tech features Cabin is airy, quiet, and comfortable Balanced ride and handling
Cons Some rivals have roomier third-row seats
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia comes with rear wheel drive, and four wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic.New TRD Pro trim level for 2020.New suspension adds off-road capability.Updated interior tech (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
Pros Cargo area is one of the largest in this class For a big SUV, it rides pretty comfortably over bumps Flexible seating arrangement allows for up to eight passengers Respectable off-road capability for a big SUV
Cons Even among large SUVs, fuel economy is poor Audio controls and front central cupholders are hard to reach The touchscreen is small and outdated
The 2020 Sequoia lineup receives several updates. The biggest addition is the new off-road-ready TRD Pro model that's outfitted with a lifted suspension and other add-ons to conquer unruly roads and trails. Also showcased on other Toyota products such as the Tacoma pickup truck and the 4Runner SUV, the TRD-tuned version is much more than just an appearance package. The rest of the Sequoia lineup also receives long-awaited infotainment features, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability as well as a mobile hotspot.
Pros Third row is actually comfortable, all driver assists are standard, iron-clad reliability from Toyota.
Cons Drives like a pickup truck, worst-in-class interior quality, new tech can't hide old bones.
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia's #6 ranking is based on its score within the Large SUVs category. Currently the Toyota Sequoia has a score of 6.8 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 60 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Powerful engine Three rows of roomy, comfortable seats Terrific cargo capacity
Cons Outdated cabin styling and infotainment system Worse handling and ride quality than many rivals Terrible fuel economy Below-average maximum towing capacity
