Ford Flex vs. Subaru Ascent
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Flex and Subaru Ascent contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford Flex and the Subaru Ascent.
When we compare the Ford Flex's and the Subaru Ascent's specifications and ratings, the Ford Flex has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Subaru Ascent has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Ford Flex's and the Subaru Ascent's specifications and ratings, the Ford Flex is a better car than the Subaru Ascent.
Pricing: A used 2019 Ford Flex ranges from $16,900 to $28,967 while a used 2019 Subaru Ascent is priced between $19,484 to $30,998.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford Flex loses 50.3 percent of its value and the Subaru Ascent loses 44.1 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Ascent retains 6.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Flex.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Flex’s base engine makes 287 horsepower, and the Subaru Ascent base engine makes 260 horsepower. The Flex is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 428 miles. The Ascent is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 521 miles. This gives the Subaru Ascent the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Flex. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Flex has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Subaru Ascent has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru Ascent has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$30,575
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large SUVs)
$50,691
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large SUVs)
$30,575 - $85,165
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$31,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$30,316
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$23,245 - $35,310
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,644
Price Range:
$16,900 - $28,967
Category Avg Price:
(Large SUVs)
$37,588
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large SUVs)
$22,644 - $65,412
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
227
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
87,482
# Good or Great Deals:
74
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$25,282
Price Range:
$19,484 - $30,998
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$24,868
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$16,878 - $34,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
381
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
84,151
# Good or Great Deals:
106
Ford Flex Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
9.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Subaru Ascent Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Flex
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Large SUVs)
5.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Large SUVs)
4.7 - 8.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
50.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Ascent
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
5.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6 - 8.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large SUVs)
2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large SUVs)
1.4 - 6.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
19.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1 - 33.1
Ford Flex Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 13Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
27 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 39Ranking
63 out of / 67Subaru Ascent Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 39Ranking
7 out of / 34Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
21 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 39Ranking
29 out of / 39Ranking
30 out of / 32Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 39Ranking
35 out of / 59Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Ford Flex Trim Levels
Limited, SE, SEL
Subaru Ascent Trim Levels
Base, Limited 7-Passenger, Limited 8-Passenger, Premium 7-Passenger, Premium 8-Passenger, Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
287 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
254 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
277 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 23 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
298 / 428 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
405 / 521 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
44.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
20 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
83.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
175.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
40 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.3 inches
Cargo Space:
17.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
86.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
171.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4439 lbs
Width:
88.8 inches
Height:
68 inches
Length:
201.8 inches
Wheelbase:
117.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4430 lbs
Width:
85.7 inches
Height:
71.6 inches
Length:
196.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Blue
Gray
Magnetic
Silver
Ingot Silver
White
Oxford White
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Not available
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Dune
Black
Charcoal Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Slate Black