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The 2022 Subaru Ascent 3-Row SUV recently made Consumer Reports' 10 least reliable new cars list (by subscription), but it's not stopping customers in the U.S. from buying the much-criticized family hauler.
Subaru of America reports 2022 Ascent sales are up again in May, increasing for the third month in a row by 25.3 percent, with 5,402 3-Row SUVs delivered to customers compared with 4,310 in May 2021. The Ascent is only one of two Subaru SUVs (along with Crosstrek) that are up in sales through the first five months. Ascent is up 9.3 percent year to date, with 25,328 3-Row SUVs sold to families in 2022.
photo credit: Schumacher Subaru
The news from Consumer Reports hasn't slowed sales of the Ascent in 2022. You won't find many Ascent family haulers waiting to be sold. Subaru retailers in the U.S. are selling them as quickly as they get them.
What sets the 2022 Ascent apart from the competition?
The Ascent just made Forbes' best new seven-seater SUVs list for 2022. Forbes says that it offers "the best passenger experience in all three rows and solid cargo-hauling ability, with family-friendly attributes like sticker price, fuel economy, active-safety features, and road manners factored in as well."
photo credit: Schumacher Subaru
The Ascent comes standard with Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive, 8.7-inches of ground clearance, and X-Mode for improved off-pavement, snow and mud, and dirt road capability. Ascent also gets the highest Top Safety Pick+ crash scores from the IIHS.
What is the price of the 2022 Ascent?
The 2022 Subaru Ascent base starts at $33,970, and Premium trims begin at $36,470. The new Ascent Onyx Edition starts at $39,670. The upper Limited trim level starts at $41,270, and the top-trim Touring has a starting MSRP of $47,120. Pricing includes destination fees ($1,175).
What is Ascent's fuel mileage?
The 2022 Subaru Ascent base and Premium trim levels get an EPA estimated 21/27 city/highway mpg and 23 combined mpg. Because they are slightly heavier, the Ascent Limited and Touring trim levels get an EPA estimated 20/26 city/highway mpg and 22 combined mpg.
What type of gas does the Ascent SUV require?
The Ascent runs on regular unleaded fuel, so you don't need the higher mid-grade or premium fuel to get the best fuel mileage.
Does the Ascent have reliability problems?
The 2019 Subaru Ascent had more problems than any other model in the automaker's lineup. For the 2022 model year, the automaker has corrected the transmission and reliability issues in 2022 Ascent 3-Row SUVs. There have been no significant problems with the 2022 Subaru Ascent models, and it has zero recalls in 2022.
Why customers should wait for the 2023 Ascent
The 2023 Subaru Ascent 3-Row SUV is scheduled to refresh and arrives in the second half of 2022 as a 2023 model. The family hauler will get a new front fascia outside (headlights, bumper, hexagon grille), unique interior upgrades with fabric changes inside, and a new exterior color. Reports not confirmed by Subaru say the Ascent could get a Wilderness trim level but would arrive after the 2023 model year. Stay tuned.
The 2022 Subaru Ascent made Consumer Reports' ten least reliable cars list, but it's not stopping new car shoppers from buying the 3-Row SUV.
You Might Also Like: Consumer Reports Says Avoid the 2022 Subaru Ascent Buy a Toyota Highlander Instead
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Schumacher Subaru
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Comments
Some things one cannot
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Some things one cannot explain. It's the TV commercials. Subliminal perhaps? Seriously though, not every model any manufacturer can be a home run. This gives Subaru an opportunity to showcase their customer service. Goodwill towards customers helps them return again.
My daughter has a 2013
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My daughter has a 2013 Impreza Limited!
About 2 years ago she took her Impreza in for an oil change, and maintenance! Gave her an Acsent for a rental car! My daughter bragged to all of her family how awesome the SUV was! So I understand why people are buying them! I my self have a Ford Explorer Sport Twin turbo 365 hp and I also was interested in the Ascent but I haven’t driven the Ascent yet! I’m loving my Explorer for now!
In 2019, when I was test
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In 2019, when I was test driving the Impreza and Crosstrek, the sales guy remarked to me about how the Ascent was his easiest car to sell. Customers just loved it.
If Subaru can fix the kinks - and I anticipate they will - than I expect this model will sell well. It is not entirely unexpected for a first generation model to have issues.
Subaru reliability isn't quite on par with Toyota in reliability, but it doesn't suck. Subaru isn't Stellantis or Range Rover.
What about the people who own
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What about the people who own 2019 Ascents? Sorry, you are out of luck because you bought the new model with bugs. Subaru should step up and extend the warranty on their 2019 Ascent. Bumper to Bumper 5 years/60,000 miles, Powertrain 10 years/100,000 miles. Instill confidence, rather than blaming a dragging model.
That is not a bad idea.
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In reply to What about the people who own by Hanns G (not verified)
That is not a bad idea. Subaru has done similar things in the past with bad transmissions.
That being said, Subaru owners can purchase extended warranties after the purchase so long as the car mileage is under 36K miles and the car is less than 3 years old. Ascent reliability issues have been well documented for some time. Anybody that sought additional protection had the option to do so. Some still do as its only June 2022. Granted, it will likely cost you two thousand bucks for that protection, but it will provide a cap on repair costs up to 10 years, 100K miles.