One of the first questions to enter your mind as your family starts to grow is, when are you going to get a minivan? While minivans are great and certainly family-friendly, not everyone wants to join the sliding door community. Good news; you can find the perfect vehicle for your family without the word “mini.” In fact, one of the best options is the biggest SUV in the Subaru lineup, the Subaru Ascent. No matter how big or small your family is, looking for a Subaru Ascent for sale while searching for a great vehicle is a wise choice, as it has the comfort, safety, responsiveness, and ease of use you need to enjoy your ride.
The Subaru Ascent was first introduced in 2019, offering an upscale midsize SUV to Subaru’s already impressive lineup. The first model offered an impressive 2.4L turbocharged engine and all the room a growing family needed, with three rows and plenty of cargo space. Through the years, Subaru had continued to improve the Ascent, and its popularity today rivals when it first appeared on dealer lots. Continue reading to learn more about why the Ascent is a great choice for your growing family.
Notable Safety Features on the Subaru Ascent
Safety in a vehicle is often one of the most researched areas, especially when you know your loved ones will be the regular passengers. You need a vehicle with great crash-test scores and advanced safety features like Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Pre-Collision Throttle Management, all of which come standard on the 2023 Ascent courtesy of the Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite. Additional safety features that are available on certain trims are listed below.
Driver Focus Distraction Mitigation System
This system is a mouthful, but what it does is worth the tongue-twisting name. When it seems as if you’ve lost focus or have turned away from the road, this system sends a gentle reminder to direct your attention back to where it needs to be.
Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear-Cross-Traffic Alert
Standard or available on all trims but the base 8-passenger model, this system alerts you to objects you might not notice either in your blind spot or at the rear of your vehicle. This increases the safety of you and those around you while also giving you peace of mind.
Reverse Automatic Braking
When reversing, this system automatically applies the brakes if an object is detected. Reverse Automatic Braking is either standard or available on all but the base trims.
Safety Ratings and Accolades
Subaru is an excellent choice when safety is at the forefront of your mind. The 2023 Subaru Ascent is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+, receiving the highest possible rating when considering safety. It also received the IIHS Superior Front Crash Prevention award. Additionally, according to Experian, 96% of Subaru’s sold in the last ten years are still on the road today, demonstrating the brand’s impressive reliability. And last but certainly not least, the 2023 Ascent was awarded the Best Overall Value for Lowest Ownership Cost by IntelliChoice.
An Ample Amount of Comfort and Capacity
Families with younger children need ample space for car seats, strollers, and other essential items. If you’re new to the car seat game, you might not realize how much room you need. Additionally, if you often need room for extra people, a car with a third row of seats is essential. Think about day trips when you want the grandparents to come along or when you provide carpooling for those soccer practices. When you have the space you need, it works best for all on board. Plus, having extra hands helps you manage when the kids aren’t getting along or when the pacifier ends up on the floor for the fifth time after only a couple of blocks.
The Ascent answers your needs with room for eight over three rows. From the 41.2 inches of headroom at the front of the vehicle to the 31.7 inches of legroom in the rear, the Ascent gives you the room you need. You also get up to 43.5 cu.ft. of cargo space, depending on the trim you choose, and that’s with all three rows upright. With the second and third rows down, your cargo space increases to a whopping 75.6 cu.ft.
You might think having that much room is great, but will you be comfortable? The answer is a resounding “yes.” With the 2023 Subaru Ascent, you get optional power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, heated front and second-row seating availability, and a heated steering wheel on certain trims. Not only that, but you get second and third rows that fold flat and, in some trims, recline for better comfort.
If your children are a little older, you can choose second-row captain’s chairs over a bench seat, reducing your capacity to seven. When it comes to seating, you have a choice of upholstery options, from stain-resistant cloth upholstery in the premium 8-passenger and premium 7-passenger trims to StarTex water-repellent upholstery when you choose the Onyx Edition 7-passenger and more.
The 2023 Subaru Ascent is also easy to access and use. The Keyless Access with Push-Button Start, standard on most trims, means you don’t have to dig around your pockets for your keys. You also don’t have to worry about needing an extra hand to open the liftgate when you have the Power Rear Gate with an automatic close feature. Additionally, the 19 cup holders, USB-A charging ports, and the standard Cargo-area Underfloor Storage Tray are perks you might not have even realized you needed. When you add in Tri-zone climate control on top of that, you’ll realize why the Ascent is a great choice for you and your family.
Performance Matters
Looking for a family car doesn’t mean you have to compromise performance. The 2.4L turbocharged Subaru BOXER four-cylinder engine offers 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. With that, you get Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard that offers responsive handling no matter the terrain. And speaking of the terrain, the Ascent has standard X-MODE and Hill Descent Control for increased control, no matter the driving conditions.
X-MODE is Subaru’s traction control method, which optimizes engine output by utilizing the Vehicle Dynamics Control system to provide exceptional grip on the road. The Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring models include dual-function X-MODE with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. This is in addition to a Traction Control System that senses when the wheels begin to slip and applies pressure to regain control.
A Fantastic Full-Size SUV That’s Worthy of Carrying Your Loved Ones
Based on the extensive amount of trims available on the 2023 Subaru Ascent, there is no doubt a model that is perfectly tailored to you and your family’s unique needs. Whether you’re just starting to grow your family or you need to upgrade your vehicle since the kids are getting older, it’s worth taking the Subaru Ascent for a test drive. The Ascent has everything a growing family needs, from space to safety and everything in between. Not only that, but you’re getting a brand that has stood the test of time, offering exceptional reliability and a great resale value. For drivers needing a spacious full-size SUV for themselves and their loved ones, the Subaru Ascent has everything they’re looking for in a family hauler.
