Interior & Cargo Space

This midsize three-row SUV seats seven (with optional captain's chairs in the second row) or eight people (with standard three rows). Overall passenger space is very generous. The driver's seat offers a clear view and excellent support. The Ascent cabin is well-built and made out of high-quality materials.

The Ascent's audio and climate controls are well laid out. The SUV comes equipped with an intuitive infotainment system with straightforward and easy-to-use buttons. It comes with smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and provides multiple USB ports.

Optional technical upgrades include a larger eight-inch touch screen, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and navigation.

The Ascent offers functional cargo space that's perfect for every adventure in Palm Desert. Behind the third row, there are 17.8 cubic-feet, 47.5 cubic-feet with a folded-down third row, and a total of 86.5 cubic-feet when all of the back rows are folded down.

Performance

The Ascent has a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder 260-horsepower engine combined with an automatic transmission. It is a small engine for a midsize SUV but provides plenty of power. The Ascent achieves excellent fuel economy. It gets an EPA-estimated 21 miles-per-gallon in the city and 27 miles-per-gallon on the highway. This is particularly impressive given that the SUV is also equipped with all-wheel-drive.

The SUV offers composed and agile handling, responsive steering, strong brakes, and a smooth, comfortable ride through Indio. The base trim can tow up to a maximum of 2,000-pounds, and all of the other trims are able to tow up to 5,000-pounds.

Safety

Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist package comes standard with every Ascent. It comes with head-up display, lane sway and departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision throttle management, and forward auto emergency braking. A rear-seat reminder and a rearview camera come standard as well.

Available safety features include a front-view camera, rear-vision mirror camera, rain-sensing windshield wipers, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse auto emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.

Trim Options

There are four different trim levels available. All models come standard with all-wheel-drive, an automatic transmission, and a four-cylinder engine.

Ascent

This base trim offers several standard features, including roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels, adjustable front seats, and tri-zone auto climate control. The infotainment system has six speakers, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and four USB ports.

Ascent Premium

This trim adds second-row climate controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, heated front seats, and an adjustable driver's seat. Upgrades to the infotainment system include a Wi-Fi hotspot and an eight-inch touch-screen. Added standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear-cross traffic alert, and remote engine start.

Ascent Limited

The Limited trim comes with leather-trimmed upholstery. You can also choose either captain's chair or a bench seat for the second row. Upgraded interior features include second-row sunshades, heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, adjustable passenger seat, and a 10-way adjustable driver's seat.

Ascent Touring

The Touring model comes with a panoramic sunroof, captain's chairs in the second row, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, and upgraded leather trim and upholstery. Other upgrades include a front-view camera, a rearview camera, rain-sensing windshield wipers, Harman Kardon 14-speaker audio system, and navigation.

Test Drive The Subaru Ascent SUV Today

Drivers from the La Quinta area can check out the full lineup of Subaru Ascent SUVs at Palm Springs Subaru. Call us today to get your test drive arranged and to apply for financing. We look forward to meeting you!

Considering a New Honda Pilot in Palm Springs? Check Out the Subaru Ascent Before You Buy

While looking for a three-row SUV for your family travels in Cathedral City, you'll likely come across both the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent before you make your final decision. At Palm Springs Subaru, we know that the Subaru Ascent is the right choice, and it's the little things that separate this model from the Honda Pilot in terms of comfort, convenience, and capability.

Driving Experience

When it comes to handling, both the Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot outperform the competition on the road. Sweeping through the corners, each feels planted and confident, lacking the lazy body roll that comes with most three-row SUVs.

However, when you want your adventures to go beyond the paved path, the Subaru Ascent begins to pull ahead of its Honda rival. The Symmetrical all-wheel drive system that comes with the new Subaru Ascent will help you conquer a wider variety of terrain than the Honda Pilot. This means going further and tackling the rough stuff with greater confidence, so you can truly embrace your wild side and take your family on the adventure of a lifetime. While the Honda may remain capable when pavement turns to dirt or grass, it can't handle the truly slippery stuff the way that the Subaru can.

You'll also get a turbocharged engine in the new Subaru Ascent, which means more punchy acceleration and an enhanced feel in the driver's seat. While the horsepower may be less than that provided by the V6 in the Honda Pilot, the new Subaru Ascent is lighter and uses less fuel to get up to speed thanks to the turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Safety

Both the new Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent go toe-to-toe on safety, with each offering a wide range of high-tech features to help keep you and your family safe on the road. Forward collision alert and automatic emergency braking will help you deal with hazards on the road ahead. Both models also feature pedestrian detection for help when driving through busy city streets. You'll also get adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist with both the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent, although the Subaru model is more intuitive when it comes to detecting an intentional move versus an accidental wander that needs attention. Finally, each model is available with blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert in order to ensure that you have the information you need to safely change lanes or back out of a parking space.

Interior Quality

Interior quality is where the Subaru Ascent lays waste to the new Honda Pilot. The Pilot is well put together, but the black-on-black plastics and rubberized components feel distinctly cheap and thoughtless. While there is nothing technically wrong with the cabin of the Honda Pilot, the Subaru Ascent offers a higher quality feel at a lower price than the Honda model. You'll get rich leather upholstery in a variety of neutral and warm tones, and a choice of wood grain accents to help make you feel at home. It's a fit and finish that feels more premium than what you'll get with the Honda Pilot, and that's something you'll appreciate every time you go for a drive.

Where actual features are concerned, both come with multi-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, and power-adjustable driver and passenger seats to help you dial in your ideal level of comfort.

Technology

While both the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the updated Starlink interface in the Subaru offers more crisp display icons and maps, improved responsiveness, and an easier to use interface than the outdated and menu-laden setup found on the Honda Pilot.