Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring, a fantastic three-row SUV that's been making waves in the family vehicle market. If you're in the market for a spacious, safe, and feature-packed SUV, the Ascent Touring should definitely be on your radar. We'll be breaking down everything from its performance and features to its interior comfort and how it stacks up against the competition. So, grab a coffee (or your beverage of choice), and let's get started!

Overview of the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring

The 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring sits at the top of the Ascent trim levels, offering a premium experience with all the bells and whistles. Subaru has built its reputation on reliability, safety, and all-wheel-drive capability, and the Ascent Touring continues this tradition. This SUV is designed for families, offering ample space for passengers and cargo, along with a host of safety and tech features to keep everyone comfortable and entertained. The Ascent Touring isn't just about functionality; it also boasts a stylish exterior and a refined interior that makes every drive a pleasure. This model is perfect for those who want a blend of practicality and luxury.

One of the standout features of the Ascent Touring is its standard all-wheel drive, a hallmark of the Subaru brand. This system provides excellent traction and stability, especially in adverse weather conditions, making it a great choice for families living in areas with snow, rain, or challenging road conditions. The vehicle's powerful engine ensures smooth acceleration and confident handling, whether you're navigating city streets or embarking on a long road trip. The Ascent Touring also comes packed with advanced driver-assistance features, designed to enhance safety and provide peace of mind on the road. From adaptive cruise control to lane departure warning, these technologies work together to create a safer driving environment. The interior of the Ascent Touring is designed with comfort and convenience in mind. Premium materials, such as leather upholstery and woodgrain trim, create a luxurious atmosphere. The spacious cabin offers plenty of room for passengers in all three rows, and the large cargo area provides ample space for luggage, groceries, or sports equipment. Additionally, the Ascent Touring is equipped with a user-friendly infotainment system, featuring a large touchscreen display and seamless smartphone integration.

The 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring excels in providing a well-rounded driving experience, combining practicality, safety, and luxury. Its standard all-wheel drive, spacious interior, and advanced features make it an ideal choice for families. Let's delve deeper into what makes the Ascent Touring such a compelling option in the competitive SUV market.

Performance and Engine Specs

Alright, let's talk about what's under the hood! The 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER engine. This engine delivers a punchy 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Now, for an SUV of its size, that's pretty good. You'll find that it has enough power for daily driving and even for passing on the highway. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which helps to maximize fuel efficiency. Speaking of fuel economy, the Ascent Touring gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Not bad for a three-row SUV, right?

One of the great things about the Ascent is its standard all-wheel-drive system. Subaru is known for its AWD, and the system in the Ascent is excellent. It provides superior grip and handling in various conditions, whether you're driving in the snow, rain, or just on a dry road. This feature gives you extra confidence and control, especially during those unpredictable weather days. The Ascent Touring also has a decent towing capacity. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That's enough to handle small trailers, boats, or campers, which is a great perk for those who enjoy outdoor activities. The Ascent offers a smooth and comfortable ride. The suspension is well-tuned, absorbing bumps and imperfections in the road without making the ride feel too soft or wobbly.

Acceleration is adequate, getting you up to speed without feeling sluggish. The CVT is tuned to provide smooth power delivery, ensuring that you won't experience any jerky shifts. The Ascent Touring also handles corners with confidence. The AWD system and the well-balanced chassis work together to keep the vehicle planted and stable. The 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER engine provides a good balance of power and efficiency, making the Ascent Touring a practical choice for various driving needs. You get a combination of performance, capability, and fuel efficiency that makes this SUV a versatile choice for a wide range of drivers. Whether you need a vehicle for daily commuting, family trips, or towing, the Ascent Touring can handle it all.

Interior Comfort and Features

Let's move inside the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring and check out what it offers in terms of comfort and features. As the top-of-the-line trim, the Touring model gets a lot of upgrades. First off, you'll find premium leather upholstery throughout the cabin. The seats are supportive and comfortable, perfect for long road trips. The driver's seat comes with 10-way power adjustment, including lumbar support, to help you find the perfect driving position. You can also expect heated and ventilated front seats, which are a lifesaver in both cold winters and hot summers.

The interior design is modern and well-appointed. You'll find high-quality materials and thoughtful touches throughout, such as woodgrain trim and a panoramic moonroof. The cabin is spacious, with plenty of room for passengers in all three rows. The second-row captain's chairs (standard on the Touring) offer comfortable seating for two adults, and they're easy to access the third row. Even the third row offers a decent amount of legroom, making it suitable for adults on shorter trips. For tech, the Ascent Touring doesn't disappoint. It comes with a large 11.6-inch touchscreen display that controls the infotainment system. The system is easy to use, with intuitive menus and responsive touch controls. The Ascent also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, so you can easily connect your smartphone and access your favorite apps and music.

Other notable features include a premium Harman Kardon audio system, which delivers excellent sound quality. There's also a built-in navigation system, a wireless charging pad, and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin to keep everyone's devices charged. The Ascent Touring also has a dual-zone automatic climate control system, ensuring that everyone stays comfortable, regardless of the weather outside. The panoramic moonroof floods the cabin with natural light, making the interior feel even more spacious and airy. The Ascent Touring provides a luxurious and comfortable environment for both the driver and the passengers. The high-quality materials, spacious layout, and advanced features make it an ideal choice for families. The emphasis on comfort and convenience, combined with the premium finishes, creates a truly enjoyable driving experience.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Technologies

Safety is a top priority for Subaru, and the 2023 Ascent Touring is packed with advanced safety features. Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard across all Ascent models, and the Touring trim adds even more enhancements. EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and pre-collision braking. These features work together to help prevent accidents and keep you and your passengers safe on the road. The adaptive cruise control maintains a set distance from the car in front, automatically adjusting your speed to match the flow of traffic. Lane departure warning and lane keep assist help you stay in your lane, alerting you if you drift out and gently steering you back into position. Pre-collision braking can automatically apply the brakes if it detects an imminent collision.

The Ascent Touring also includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, which alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots and warns you of approaching traffic when backing out of a parking space. Reverse automatic braking is another useful feature, which can automatically apply the brakes if it detects an obstacle behind you while reversing. The Touring trim also gets a surround-view camera system, providing a 360-degree view around the vehicle, which is incredibly helpful when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. Subaru is committed to safety, and the Ascent Touring has received excellent safety ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These ratings reflect the vehicle's ability to protect occupants in a crash and to avoid accidents in the first place.

Additionally, the Ascent Touring comes with a full suite of airbags, including front, side, and curtain airbags, to provide comprehensive protection in the event of a collision. The safety features in the Ascent Touring are not just about protecting you in an accident; they are also designed to help you avoid accidents altogether. The combination of advanced driver-assistance technologies and robust safety systems makes the Ascent Touring one of the safest SUVs in its class. Subaru's dedication to safety ensures peace of mind for drivers and passengers, making it an excellent choice for families who prioritize safety. The comprehensive safety package helps create a driving environment where safety is always at the forefront.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2023 Subaru Ascent is available in several trim levels, each offering a different set of features and price points. The Touring sits at the top of the lineup, offering the most premium experience.

Here’s a quick overview of the trim levels and approximate starting prices:

• Base: Offers a solid set of standard features, including EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, all-wheel drive, and a comfortable interior. (Pricing usually starts around $33,000)
• Premium: Adds more features like a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a larger touchscreen display. (Pricing usually starts around $37,000)
• Onyx Edition: Features a more rugged exterior design, unique black-finish accents, and water-repellent StarTex upholstery. (Pricing usually starts around $41,000)
• Limited: Adds leather-trimmed upholstery, a premium Harman Kardon audio system, and a power rear liftgate. (Pricing usually starts around $43,000)
• Touring: As the top-of-the-line trim, the Touring includes all the features from the lower trims, plus a panoramic moonroof, premium Nappa leather upholstery, a surround-view camera system, and more. (Pricing usually starts around $48,000)

Keep in mind that these prices are approximate and can vary based on options and packages. The Touring trim provides the best value if you want all the premium features. The price difference between the trim levels reflects the added features and amenities that each offers. The wide range of trim options ensures that there is an Ascent model to fit different needs and budgets, making it accessible to a variety of buyers. When considering the price, it's also important to factor in the long-term value. Subaru vehicles are known for their reliability, which can help minimize maintenance costs over time. The available trim levels allow you to choose an Ascent that perfectly matches your lifestyle and needs.

Pros and Cons of the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring

Let's break down the pros and cons of the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring to help you decide if it's the right SUV for you.

Pros:

• Spacious Interior: The Ascent Touring offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo, making it ideal for families.
• Standard All-Wheel Drive: Subaru's renowned AWD system provides excellent traction and stability in various conditions.
• Advanced Safety Features: The Ascent Touring is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies to protect you and your passengers.
• Comfortable Ride: The suspension is well-tuned, providing a smooth and comfortable ride.
• Premium Features: The Touring trim includes luxurious amenities like leather upholstery, a panoramic moonroof, and a premium audio system.

Cons:

• Fuel Economy: While decent for a three-row SUV, the fuel economy isn't the best in its class.
• Price: The Touring trim is at the higher end of the price range, which might be a consideration for some buyers.
• Infotainment System: Although user-friendly, the infotainment system's graphics may not be as modern as some competitors.

Overall, the pros of the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring far outweigh the cons. Its spacious interior, standard all-wheel drive, advanced safety features, and premium amenities make it an excellent choice for families. The cons are relatively minor and can be overlooked if you prioritize space, safety, and comfort. The Ascent Touring offers a compelling package for those seeking a three-row SUV that delivers on both practicality and luxury.

Conclusion: Is the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring Right for You?

So, after all this, is the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring the right SUV for you? If you're looking for a spacious, safe, and feature-packed family vehicle, the answer is likely yes! The Ascent Touring excels in providing a comfortable and luxurious driving experience, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Its standard all-wheel-drive system gives you confidence on the road, while its advanced safety features offer peace of mind. The Touring trim is at the top of the Ascent lineup, offering premium features that enhance both comfort and convenience. The 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring is a top contender in the three-row SUV market, providing a compelling package of practicality, safety, and luxury. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of needs, from daily commuting to family adventures. If you value safety, space, and a well-appointed interior, the Ascent Touring is definitely worth considering. Thanks for joining me on this deep dive into the 2023 Subaru Ascent Touring. I hope this helps you in your decision-making process. Happy driving, everyone!