by Michael Satterfield - Photos via Subaru 05/07/2024
I have to admit, I had never even heard of the Subaru Ascent; for me, Subaru has always been the WRX, with a few random daydreams about restoring a Brat. Like many vehicles, the Ascent is a station wagon marketed as a crossover/SUV. This Onyx Edition Limited is as loaded as they come and is fully ready for an outdoor adventure, with almost every surface covered with a wipe-clean surface.
Inside, the Ascent's cabin feels spacious; with the seats folded down, I used it to move 11 boxes that were 22X22X15 inches, and shockingly, all of them fit inside the Ascent. Inside, you will also find an endless number of storage cubbies and cupholders. Passengers didn't complain about the back seat space, even in the third row, but if you plan on using the third row, you'll need to invest in a roof box to haul luggage.
The Ascent's infotainment system features a large screen, but the interface could be more intuitive and takes some getting used to. The driver's assist displays feel dated and constantly nag you to keep your hands on the steering wheel, even if you have both hands on the steering wheel, or to keep your eyes on the road, even if you just glance down to change the radio station. It feels excessive, and even the lane departure warnings seem overly sensitive compared to other vehicles I have tested recently.
The Subaru Ascent is positioned in the crowded midsize three-row crossover segment, going head-to-head with the Kia Telluride, the Ford Explorer, and the Mazda CX-90. While overall, the Ascent was a great vehicle, one major issue that I encountered would make me think twice about recommending it to my friends, family, and readers.
About three days into my time with the Ascent, the rear hatch started acting strange. It first began by closing rapidly, slamming shut when I hit the close button; after that, the rear hatch refused to open using the key fob button. I would have to use the button on the hatch to open it. Then, a few days later, it decided that the rear hatch was ajar; even though it was closed, the dashboard showed it was closed, but the door ajar warning chime was going off non-stop. I checked the door twice, and it was fully closed.
I started to drive, and the warning chime continued to go off. I eventually pulled into a small town gas station where I googled "Subaru Ascent Rear Hatch." That search yielded several forums, Reddit posts, and YouTube videos going back to 2019 talking about the exact issue I was experiencing. The solution... pulling a fuse from under the dash or disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds. I opted to pull the fuse, which surprisingly worked. The warning chime stopped, the rear hatch opened and closed using the key fob button, and it was opening and closing at a normal rate of speed without slamming.
While all cars have issues, a brand-new vehicle with a price tag of over $48,000 should not have new car owners on the side of the road searching under the dash for the #14 fuse so they can re-set the rear hatch.
_websize.jpg)
