As the largest SUV in Subaru’s fleet, the Ascent will seat up to eight people and still take a wet winding road with aplomb. Since its introduction in 2019, not much has changed to this family SUV. This year finds a new Onyx Edition featuring blacked-out exterior styling and the end of the Sport trim package.
Available in five trims: base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring, this review will focus on the Onyx Edition.
Making the Onyx Edition sporty are 20-inch blacked alloy wheels, simulated leather upholstery, LED foglights and a black grille and blacked exterior trim. Making it useful is the 5,000-pound max towing capacity, 8-inch touchscreen, blind spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Onyx Edition is available in only the seven-passenger configuration with the two captains chairs in the second row.
A plucky turbocharged 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine powers the Ascent producing 260 horses and 277 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a continuously variable automatic which is paired with Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive. Expect to get 20/city, 26/highway and 22/combined MPG.
With the Ascent Onyx seven passenger configuration, adults will be happy with the roominess of the cabin. Seating is pretty cushy with the exception of the third row seating which tends toward the stiffer end of the spectrum.
Tech is accessed through the 8-inch touchscreen, which has crisp graphics and is pretty easy to use. There are four USB ports for Smartphone usage and Apple CarPlay and Android are available.
With the third row up the Ascent has a decent amount of storage space at 17.8 cubic feet. With the second and third rows down, that amount jumps to 86 cubic feet. There are also multiple little cubbies in the cabin for small storage.
The turbocharged engine gives the Ascent a surge of power when the accelerator is forcefully engaged. Engine noise is noticeable in the cabin at high rpm’s and road imperfections cause a noticeable jiggle in the cabin. With its all-wheel drive and higher ground coverage, the Ascent is ready for any weather or road conditions.
Need an SUV for all seasons with a car-like drive? Give the 2022 Subaru Ascent Onyx a look-see.
