Buying a slightly used vehicle is a fantastic option to get an almost-new car without paying the first-driver price of buying it right off the dealership lot. That means you can get a 2019 model year with all of the bells and whistles of most 2020 cars for just a fraction of the price. Combine that with some reliability and features and cars like the 2019 Subaru Ascent could be the SUV worth a test drive.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent

The 2019 Subaru Ascent wasn’t the most talked-about car of last year. It doesn’t stand out for any eccentric quirks or features, innovative designs, or over-the-top features and add-ons. On the other hand, there wasn’t anything negative to say about last year’s Subaru Ascent either, besides a handful of recalls.

Even for a used vehicle the Ascent has a lot to offer. You can expect to get them in good condition with relatively low mileage for as low as $27,000, which is a pretty good bargain for an almost brand-new car. The Ascent offers a comfortable ride with supportive seats and plenty of standard safety features.

Unlike the V6 competitors, the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the Ascent is surprisingly fun to drive. It provides a responsive acceleration, and the steering and suspension are just stiff enough to give you a sportier feel without ruining the car’s overall driving comfort. The inside cabin is spacious and practical, making it a good mixture of a comfortable SUV as well as a sporty one.

Recalls you could probably ignore

The word recall strikes fear into the heart of consumers, when it isn’t always a bad thing. While we would prefer for manufacturers to figure out and resolve any problems a car could have, the possibilities for failures or problems is endless, and it’s impossible to know what they will be. There are five recalls currently out for the 2019 Subaru Ascent, but here’s why they shouldn’t really matter to you.

Sure, recalls can be a serious concern for your safety, but that’s only if you don’t take the vehicle in for the recall. Repairs or replacements required by a recall are done with no cost to the owner, meaning you won’t be paying out of your own pocket for these important trips to the dealership. Another factor to consider is that not all of the models in a year are affected by the same recalls.

Checking to see if your car, or even a car you are looking to purchase, is applicable for a recall is simple and free. All you need is the VIN for the vehicle, and on recall searches provided by the manufacturer, like Subaru, you can input the VIN and see what recall work the car needs and if the recall work has been completed.