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2023 Subaru Ascent in Rhode Island
Overview
Of all the models in Subaru’s intrepid stable, the adventure-primed Ascent is the most robust. This three-row SUV offers plenty of practicality and fun since it’s laden with desirable equipment and comes standard with all-wheel drive, just as drivers have come to expect from Subaru. It also has a long list of standard safety features, including state-of-the-art driver-assist technologies.
For 2023, the Ascent receives a slate of attention-getting updates. In addition to a new exterior appearance, its infotainment system has been updated with a standard 11.6-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). The EyeSight suite of advanced safety technologies has been upgraded as well with an improved camera plus standard adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The ’23 Ascent qualifies for a new surround-view camera, too, in addition to an in-car PA system called Cabin Connect. To top it off, the Onyx Edition gains green interior contrast stitching, a panoramic sunroof, and the X-Mode driving system, which provides hill descent control and dual-function drive modes for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud.
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Trims, Powertrain, and Performance
The ’23 Ascent is a midsized all-wheel drive SUV that’s offered in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring. The Base, Premium, and Limited come standard with a middle-row bench that enables an eight-passenger seating capacity; the Premium and Limited are eligible for second-row captain’s chairs instead (these are standard in the other three trims), reducing seating to seven. All trims receive a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 260 hp and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The maximum towing capacity for the Base is 2,000 lb., but the rest can tow up to 5,000 lb. According to the EPA, the Base and Premium return an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, the Onyx Edition and above grades achieve 19 city/25 highway.
Amenities by Trim Level
The ’23 Ascent is filled with remarkable features that today’s drivers will truly appreciate. The Base comes with LED steering-responsive headlights, raised roof rails, keyless entry, tri-zone automatic climate control, front-row USB-A and USB-C data ports and second-row USB-A and USB-C charging ports, 19 cupholders, and an underfloor storage compartment in the cargo area. The Premium gets side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a windshield wiper de-icer, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, stain-resistant upholstery, and second-row climate control. The Onyx Edition has LED fog lights, black exterior accents, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, proximity access, push-button ignition, a heated steering wheel, water-repellent upholstery (StarTex), synthetic-leather trim with green contrast stitching, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink.
The Limited lacks the sunroof but adds a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, leather upholstery, position memory (for the driver’s seat and side mirrors), heated second-row outboard seats, and two third-row USB-A charging ports. The Onyx Edition Limited builds off the regular Onyx Edition with the power front passenger’s seat, heated second-row outboard seats, position memory settings, dual third-row USB ports, and an in-car PA system called Cabin Connect. The top-tier Touring gets it all, with power-folding side mirrors, ventilated front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, a digital rearview mirror, and a 120-volt power outlet. All trims qualify for a wireless phone charger, and most of those high-end amenities are optional for the lower-level trims.
EyeSight Safety Aids
Every ’23 Ascent comes with the updated EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite, which bundles advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Automatic high beams are standard across the board as well. The Premium and above trims are issued blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Reverse automatic braking is included in the Onyx Edition and remaining trims, while the DriverFocus distraction mitigation system is added to the Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring. The Onyx Edition Limited and Touring also top the range with a surround-view camera system. Those more advanced safety aids can be ordered in some of the lower trims, too.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Most trims come with the Subaru Starlink Multimedia Plus Package, which contains an 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The Onyx Edition Limited and Touring are outfitted with Starlink Multimedia Navigation, though, which has all of that in addition to voice recognition and integrated nav. Most trims also come with a basic six-speaker sound system, but the Onyx Edition Limited and Touring get a cutting-edge Harman Kardon system with 14 speakers. All trims, except for the Base, receive a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Note that those better infotainment features are available as optional upgrades for some of the less expensive trims.
