10 Subaru Ascent Competitors to Consider

2019 Subaru Ascent front quarter red off road ・ Photo by Subaru

The Subaru Ascent is an all-new model for 2019 and it’s the largest Subaru ever. This three-row SUV has seating for up to eight passengers, with available second-row captain’s chairs that take seating down to seven. It’s squarely focused on being your next family car, with 19 cupholders and flexible seating configurations that adjust to allow for up to 86.5 cubic feet of cargo.

All-wheel drive is standard, and there’s a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque that can tow up to 5,000 pounds. It’s a comfortable and capable offering priced from $31,995, but there are other options. If you want to see whats out there before signing on the dotted line, we think these are 10 Subaru Ascent competitors to consider.

2019 Honda Pilot

The 2019 Honda Pilot is updated for this model year with modern styling, a refined powertrain, and a suite of new technology and safety features. While the Ascent offers only all-wheel drive, the Pilot offers its full lineup with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive (except the top Elite trim, which has all-wheel drive as standard). Starting prices are comparable with the base Pilot coming in at $31,450, but the Pilot is more expensive than the Ascent when you get into the top trims.

Standard features include Honda Sensing on every trim, with collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot information and rear cross-traffic alert are available on select trims.

Photo by Honda

2019 Toyota Highlander

The 2019 Toyota Highlander is a three-row SUV with a starting price of $31,530 for the base model equipped with front-wheel drive. The top Limited Platinum with all-wheel drive comes in at $47,210. Not only does it offer the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive in every trim, it’s also available as a hybrid in a range of four trims priced from $37,170 to $48,830.

The base Highlander has a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 hp and 194 lb-ft of torque, which can tow only 1,500 pounds. The rest of the gas-powered lineup features a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque, and the ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Ford Explorer

The 2019 Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV with a choice of powerful engines. Although it has three rows, the third row seats only two passengers, so maximum seating in the Explorer is seven (rather than eight as offered by the Subaru Ascent). All three Explorer engine options can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The base engine is a 3.5-liter V6 with 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. There’s also a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.5-liter V6 engine with an impressive 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Pricing ranges from $32,365 to $54,165.

Photo by Ford

2019 Buick Enclave

The 2019 Buick Enclave offers seating for seven passengers with a maximum of two people in the third row. It comes with a long list of standard features including heated front seats, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, tri-zone climate control, and an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

The drawback to the Enclave is its higher pricing, which starts at $40,990 for the base model equipped with front-wheel drive. The top model in the Enclave lineup is the exclusive Avenir, a badge reserved only for the most premium versions of Buick’s vehicles. The Enclave Avenir with all-wheel drive is priced at $54,495.

Photo by Buick

2019 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder offers three rows of seating with room for seven passengers in a range of four trims. There’s a choice of front-wheel or four-wheel drive across the lineup, with pricing ranging from $31,430 to $44,460. If you’re looking for a more rugged and capable option, then the Pathfinder is a good choice.

The four-wheel-drive system in the Pathfinder has three modes easily selected with a dial on the center console. Choose two-wheel, auto, or four-wheel lock mode for when conditions are particularly challenging. Models equipped with four-wheel drive also include both hill descent control and hill start assist. Properly equipped, the Pathfinder can tow a best-in-class 6,000 pounds.

Photo by Nissan

2019 Mazda CX-9

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 offers seating for up to seven passengers with a stylish and upscale interior. The four-trim range is available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive in all but the top Signature trim, which is all-wheel drive only. Mazda is known for producing cars for people who like to drive, and the CX-9 is proof that just because you’re at the wheel of a three-row SUV doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the ride.

Power comes from a responsive 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Standard G-Vectoring Control improves handling by adjusting power delivery to shift the vehicle’s weight in the corners so driving the CX-9 is effortless and relaxing.

Photo by Mazda

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is available with two-row seating for five or three-row seating for up to seven passengers. It’s sold in six trims with standard front-wheel or optional all-wheel drive, which becomes standard only on the top two trims. The Tiguan is a great option for those on a budget, with pricing ranging from $24,295 to $38,895.

Power for the Tiguan comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is the drawback to the Tiguan - it doesn’t have a powerful engine and only can tow up to 1,500 lbs. Still, you simply can’t beat the price.

Photo by Volkswagen

2019 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2019 Chevrolet Traverse comes with seating for eight passengers, or seven if you choose second-row captain’s chairs. It’s offered in six trims with pricing from $31,125 to $54,395. Front-wheel drive is standard with the option for all-wheel drive, which becomes standard on the top High Country trim. Traverse can tow up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped.

It also has expansive interior cargo room. There’s 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 58.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and 98.2 cubic feet behind the first row. Maximum cargo capacity in the Subaru Ascent is 86.5 cubic feet, making the Traverse a better option for those who need a little extra cargo room.

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Dodge Durango

The 2019 Dodge Durango offers seating for up to seven passengers in a range of five trims with pricing starting at $30,195. What sets the Durango apart from other three-row SUVs is its powerful range of available engines. Base models feature a 3.6-liter V6 with up to 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Next up is a 5.7-liter V8 that takes a jump up to 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

Sitting at the top of the lineup is the Durango SRT, which aims to give you a muscle car experience behind the wheel of an SUV. It has a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, with a starting price of $62,995.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2019 Kia Sorento

The 2019 Kia Sorento comes in a range of six affordable trims priced from $26,290 to $46,490. The base model is available only with front-wheel drive, but the rest of the lineup features all-wheel drive as either an optional or standard feature, depending on the trim. The wide range of trims offered in the Sorento makes it easy to find the one that best fits your needs and your budget.

Even the base model comes well-equipped. It features a tilt and telescopic steering column, automatic folding 40/20/40 split second row, 50/50 split third row, and a 7-inch infotainment screen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Photo by Kia