If you’re searching for a good family vehicle, the Subaru Ascent is one you should check out. With plenty to offer a family, this model doesn’t get the attention it should. 

U.S. News, however, knows there’s more to the Ascent than meets the eye. That’s why the publication listed this Subie as one of the best three-row SUVs. What makes it so family-friendly?

What does the Subaru Ascent offer families?

The Subaru Ascent has much to offer anyone looking for a three-row midsize crossover. But it’s especially beneficial to those with families. One of the best features you could get from a three-row SUV is a fairly comfortable place for a full-size adult to hang out in the very back of the vehicle. 

With other three-row SUVs, the back row tends to be too cramped for adults. The Ascent, however, offers just enough space for an adult to sit comfortably, at least for a short ride. Longer ones might be too much, tho, so you’ll have to play musical chairs. 

Roominess is another great feature of the Ascent. You can haul seven or eight passengers, depending on the seat configuration you choose. Cargo space is pretty average but enough to store plenty. Expect 17.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row. But if you fold down the last two rows of seats, you can get up to 86.5 cubic feet of storage.  

Is the Subaru Ascent safe?

U.S. News gave the 2021 Subaru Ascent a safety score of 9.8 out of 10, one of the highest on the list. That’s due to a few factors. One is because of its crash safety testing from two agencies, and the other is from its long list of safety features. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found no major problems with the Ascent’s crash test evaluations. In fact, the NHTSA gave it an overall score of 5 out of 5 stars, U.S. News Reports. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety followed suit by giving the Ascent the highest rating, Top Safety Pick+.

Standard on all models is Subaru’s popular safety suite, Eyesight. The long list of features includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering with lane-keep assist, and forward collision mitigation. You’ll also get the available advanced adaptive cruise control, which allows you to determine the amount of space you want between you and the vehicle in front of you. 

What else can you expect from this Subie?

The Subaru Ascent offers more than just cargo space and safety features, though. You’ll find this model can be your go-to for towing, too. With the proper equipment, the Ascent can pull up to 5,000 pounds. That’s more than some of the others on the U.S. News list, like the Mazda CX-9, which can only handle only 3,500 pounds. 

Plus, the Ascent can be a great vehicle for winter driving. Subaru vehicles come standard with all-wheel drive, useful when traveling with your family on slushy roads. AWD can help the vehicle stay in control by gripping the road better. Other three-row SUVs offer AWD, but you have to pay extra for some of them. 

The Ascent is, surprisingly, one of the more affordable SUVs on the list as well. It starts at $32,295, pretty good when you compare it with other three-row SUVs like the CX-9, at just over $34,000. What’s even more surprising, though, is this model can be a bit of an off-roader if you’re up for a little fun. 

Overall, the Subaru Ascent offers one of the biggest advantages in its class: roomy third-row seating. Families will love being able to offer adults a seat in the back without worrying about an uncomfortable experience for them.