The 2020 Subaru Ascent is a three-row SUV that doesn’t seem to have a specific box it fits in. It doesn’t seem to get as much love as it deserves. 

This has little to do with the Subaru Ascent’s performance, however. It’s gotten rave reviews from critics, and has a wide array of safety features. There is one thing that CarFax wasn’t impressed with, but other than that, the Ascent is an impressive vehicle. 

What feature left CarFax less than impressed?

CarFax seems to be a huge fan of the Subaru Ascent, but there was one thing that the review site wasn’t thrilled with. In spite of being Subaru’s largest SUV, it doesn’t have a ton of cargo space. In fact, out of the 15 SUVs listed as having a large amount of cargo space, the 2020 Subaru Ascent came in last.

So how much space does it have, and is it really that big of a deal? Well, that depends on who’s driving and what they need it for. If you’re planning on having a party in the back, then it’s definitely not big enough. If you just need a dependable SUV for daily driving, however, the Ascent is more than big enough.

The Subaru Ascent has 86.5 cu ft of space in total. There is 17.8 cu ft of cargo volume behind the third-row seats and 47.5 behind the second row. That doesn’t seem bad, until you compare it to the Chevrolet Suburban and the GMC Yukon XL which both have 121.7 cu ft. 

If you don’t need that much room, this isn’t that big of a deal, however. For some owners, the extra space is more of a bonus than a necessity. 

The Subaru Ascent is not your typical SUV

Subaru doesn’t play by the unspoken rules set by most automakers, such as you can’t get AWD unless you pay more for it. If you buy a Subaru, AWD comes standard. Your wallet can breathe a sigh of relief in that regard.

It’s powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that is combined with a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. This gives the Subaru Ascent plenty of power. Add in a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg, and the Ascent is the perfect SUV as far as power goes.

Other great features on the Subaru Ascent is the 8.7 inches of ground clearance, that makes it perfect for off-road enthusiasts. While it may not have a huge amount of cargo space, it might be more than enough to go car camping in if you’re into that. Plus, the Ascent can also haul up to 5,000 lbs.

The Subaru Ascent has some amazing safety scores

Subaru takes pride in the fact that it’s one of the safest brands on the road, and it’s reflected in the safety scores it receives. The Subaru Ascent is no exception to that. In fact, the 2020 Ascent was the IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2020. 

The Ascent is also loaded with a ton of safety features. It comes with the Subaru EyeSight, which many owners seem to love. Some of the features offered include pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure and sway warning, and a head-up display warning. 

One feature that anyone who rides with kids will really love is the rear-seat reminder. If you get out of the car, and there’s a passenger in the back, the rear-seat reminder will give both an audible tone and a visible reminder on the top display panel. Parents will love it, but drivers who only occasionally drive kids around will adore it. 

There is one catch, however. The way that the rear-seat reminder works is that it keeps track of if the rear doors were opened in the last thirty minutes. For someone who’s on the road for longer than that, the reminder might not go off. 

Overall, the 2020 Subaru Ascent is a unique SUV that has a lot to offer, especially for growing families. It might not have the most cargo space in its division, but given all the other features it has, it’s not that big of a deal.