Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Ascent
In comparing the Subaru Outback's and the Subaru Ascent's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The Subaru Ascent has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Outback's and the Subaru Ascent's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback is a better car than the Subaru Ascent.
Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Ascent Pricing
A used 2024 Subaru Outback ranges from $32,529 to $43,927 while a used 2024 Subaru Ascent is priced between $38,059 to $50,962. For a new model, the Subaru Outback's price is between $32,906 and $45,079, with the Subaru Ascent priced between $39,969 and $51,225.
Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Ascent Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Outback loses 39.5 percent of its value and the Subaru Ascent loses 40.5 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Outback retains 1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru Ascent.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Subaru Outbackās base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the Subaru Ascent base engine makes 260 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Subaru Ascent, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The Subaru Outback, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room, rear leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Outback and the Subaru Ascent have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
32906 - 45079
Used Asking Price:
32529 - 43927
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.395466
Pricing
New Asking Price:
39969 - 51225
Used Asking Price:
38059 - 50962
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.405001
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.933592 / 10
Reliability:
8.800776 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Subaru Ascent Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Subaru Outback Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 66Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 56Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 56Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 56Ranking
11 out of / 56Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
16 out of / 66Ranking
16 out of / 56Ranking
16 out of / 56Ranking
19 out of / 66Ranking
22 out of / 66Ranking
22 out of / 56Ranking
24 out of / 66Ranking
26 out of / 49Ranking
27 out of / 58Ranking
28 out of / 66Ranking
28 out of / 66Ranking
30 out of / 56Subaru Ascent Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 22Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 25Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 30Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
8 out of / 30Ranking
8 out of / 22Ranking
8 out of / 22Ranking
9 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 22Ranking
9 out of / 17Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
11 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 30Ranking
13 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 66Ranking
14 out of / 30Ranking
14 out of / 22Ranking
15 out of / 17Ranking
16 out of / 31Ranking
16 out of / 17Ranking
17 out of / 66Ranking
17 out of / 31Ranking
17 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 17Ranking
18 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 22Ranking
18 out of / 22Ranking
20 out of / 66Ranking
20 out of / 30Ranking
25 out of / 30Ranking
26 out of / 30Ranking
28 out of / 66Ranking
29 out of / 31Ranking
30 out of / 66Ranking
30 out of / 66Ranking
36 out of / 58Ranking
52 out of / 66Summary Review
The Subaru Outback has been a staple on American roads since its inception in 1994. Two different Subaru models, sold side-by-side, bore the Outback name: the wagon-style crossover-SUV we associate with the name today, and the Outback Sport, which eventually became the Crosstrek. The Outback is best known for its standard all-wheel drive, excellent utility, and all-weather capability. New models of the Outback average $36,354 and 3-year-old models average $25,939.
Summary Review
The Subaru Ascent joined the crossover SUV lineup at Subaru in 2018. It quickly earned the praise of reviewers.
Pros and Cons
- Utilitarian with easy entry and exit and highly function cargo space
- Comfortable ride quality with an upscale interior
- Excellent all-weather and light off-road capability
- Not always fast or inspirational for driving enthusiasts
- Similarly-sized SUVs often have more cargo and passenger room
- Fuel economy can be less than expected
Pros and Cons
- Excellent on-road and off-road capability
- Seven or eight-seat configurations available
- Class-leading diver-assist technology
- Below-average reliability scores (unusual for a Subaru)
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Limited XT, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition XT, Premium, Touring, Touring XT, Wilderness
Subaru Ascent Trim Levels
Base, Limited 7-Passenger, Limited 8-Passenger, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition Limited, 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:
3 years / 36000 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):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
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:
2.5 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):
26 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
481 / 592 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.4 inches
Cargo Space:
32.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
141.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
40 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.3 inches
Cargo Space:
17.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
171.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3641 lbs
Width:
82 inches
Height:
66.4 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
108.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4421 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:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/60R18