I don't understand the problem with the CVT. My Outback has 234,000 and my wife's has 179,000 miles. Had to change the transmission fluid at 200,000. Otherwise not a single problem. My car moves well and does not make a lot of noise. replaced 2 Fords both had transmission problem well before 200k.
YOOO DANGERRRRR. You know this week will be good when you get Danger's review on a MONDAY! Congrats on being a dad!!! Life only gets better. Just ask Micah
We have a minivan and have test driven the ascent (with all our child car seats!). The 3rd row is plenty big for normal sized adults. The guy in the video above is well over 6 feet tall (the ascent is 6ft tall itself, look how high he towers over it!). You can tell he's set the 1st row seat to his height, and the 2nd row as well, so basically all the seats are all the way back. Do that in a minivan and it's the same problem in the 3rd row.
my wife is currently of a mind to check these out, so here i am doing my research. thoroughly enjoyed your video, entertaining while answering all my questions plus a few i didn't know i had. thx Big Daddy
My wife and I just bought a 2022 Ascent Touring yesterday. Crimson Red with Black Leather Seats as my wife wasn't too thrilled with the Java Brown. They had an Onyx Edition too but it was optioned with many of the same features as the Touring which brought the MSRP up to $42K. I opted not to go with the Onyx because of the seat material, no ventilated seats or rear heated seats and the standard speaker system. The Harmon Kardon system is amazing.
@blissfuljoy6049 great, no issues. It has less than 20,000 miles on it as my wife works from home and it is her daily driver. We usually take it out on the weekends and on vacations for longer trips. We did have to replace the stock tires as they were worn. Not great but we've upgraded to General Altimax 365AW which I have on my Forester and love them. On rare occasions we had to reset the touch screen by holding down the power but most of those issues were related to Android Auto and we haven't had to do that in some time. Still a great vehicle and no regrets.
CONGRATS on the new baby Mike. As a brother following KBB since 2006 it's refreshing to finally see a brother on the KBB team. Keep on doing what you do 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Disagree with wanting the bigger outback screen. After 8 months with our Outback, I would argue it is possibly the worst thing about our vehicle and constantly making us miss the 8” screen from the Forester. It’s big and beautiful, but fails heavily!
Whats the point to put two seats in the second row and three in the third? Having three seats in the second an two in the third row would be more spacious for the Passangers and more practical?
I am driving a 2022 limited as a loaner vehicle while my WRX is being serviced. My biggest drawback is that it doesn't have a manual transmission. It a lot more leg room for my son and air vents everywhere. The extra screen above the main dash is nice for navigation.
I have a 2019 Limited. Can't see big changes but I find the CVT is just fine, love the safety stuff but hate the beep, beep, etc. I don't find it competitively quiet. The thing that would keep me from buying another is the horrible Nav system. Its just wrong as often as its right - super annoying. My wife sticks a suction cup aftermarket ($200) Garmin right over it.
I’m 6ft. I fit okay in third row of my ‘22 sitting behind myself in 2nd row captain’s okay, if I really had to. Had my loaded Limited six weeks, I love it. It’s quirky and weird about accelerating but we are a Subaru home and our ‘17 Outback has had zero issues in five years. I’m not worried about CVT. Dealer one mile from my house if there’s an issue.
Great review, Mike. I test drove this particular model on 2 occasions both highway and streets for a total of 1 hour. I don't mind the CVT and instant torque you get but the accelaration is a little jumpy and unrefined (I guess you just have to re-train your foot to be a little more sensitive on the gas pedal). There is a lot of body roll as well so everyone head's will feel their head tilt even with the slightest lane changes/corners. Everything else I found great - infotainment, quietness of the cabin, back/3rd row seats and how they easily fold down, storage space at the back, and the 19 cupholders, among a few. I just wish this drove more like a Mazda CX-9 where you feel more refined performance. If both were drummers in a band - the Ascent will be more like heavy metal while the CX-9 is jazz.
That’s a cool comparison! Yeah I found that the Ascent does its job right and more. But you gotta look elsewhere for more driving pizzazz. Thanks for watching!
Can the 3rd row be completely removed? I know this sounds crazy but I would want to get the 2nd row as a bench seat so I can fit 3 passengers but I never would have kids with me but ALWAYS need cargo space. Trying to figure out If I can basically have a Forester with more cargo space, without utilizing the 40/60 split in seats.
Great review. Love my 2020 Ascent Limited! The CVT can be odd at times. I had a Highlander before this and it frequently fumbled shifts at low speeds. In normal driving, the CVT fades into the background.
I bought a crosstrek with the 6mt and I think they should offer more models with the fantastic manual. The shifter, transmission, and differentials are taken right from the wrx. It's a very refined manual
"Bigger is better, right?" Be careful what you wish for. Five minutes with that 11" screen, and you'll be begging to have the physical AC controls and responsive 8" screen back...
I spent 5 months with it and gave up. Had a 22 Wilderness with that large screen - looks great, horrible to use. Thanks to crazy market, traded for more than I bought it for and went to the Ascent. So nice to have physical buttons again!
Thank god the Ascent doesn't have the eye of Sauron beeping at you whenever you blink and actual knobs for the radio and hvac. No start stop is also great. I miss the S/I button, but I think it's in I mode permanently so that's good. Built in nav is absolute garbage.
Feels like 90% of all people who review 3rd row SUV's are over 6 feet tall, well above average. I'm 5'8" and have sat in the 3rd row, it's totally fine. Plenty of leg room and head room. Plus you're unlikely to have the 1st row or even 2nd row seats all the way back.
Subaru wants you to pay almost $50k for a three row SUV with a CVT. I think it's safe to say that people who are considering this don't know what a CVT is.
I love Subaru. I test drove and loved it. I actually love the feel of CVT in my current Impreza! I seriously was going to buy it but there was a big dealbreaker. !!! NO WD hitch support !!! According to owner's manual, surprisingly no weight distribution hitch should be used when towing despite its high tow rating. Experienced drivers know how dangerous it is w/o WD hitch when towing such load. For anyone w/o towing in mind, it is still a perfect SUV.
@@yesmikedanger dude how?? Lol I picture a circus clown 🤡 coming out of a toy car when I imagine you driving a Prius Also really great work man on these vids. I’m starting to more and more of your personality in each new review :)
@@Stingray_614 lol 😂 😭!!!! Because before working with KBB i was driving 100 total miles a day for work, and lugging around photography equipment AND driving Lyft! I honestly have a ton of space in that car for myself, the wife & kid on top of 50 mpg on average. I kinda love it! It definitely served its purpose 🙌🏾 But the next ride i get is for sure gonna be some big SUV for the fam 🚙
@yesmikedanger --- Love your vids, but... The suspension is "smooth?" What does that mean? Softly sprung? The steering and brakes are "compliant and confident?" What does that mean, and how do those personified terms apply to the mechanicals of a car? That's like saying "the rain falls confidently." See? Doesn't make any sense and doesn't actually tell your audience anything. It's not just you, it's ALL car reviewers (KBB reviewers are the worst offenders). Ya gotta actually explain things instead of using ambiguous terminology.
Well no one uses the third seat. It rides nice and all Subies are TANKS. GAS mileage is pretty good. I get 21 mpg. CVT is ok and speeds up great, VERY fast. Very good in snow.
Subarus are far from tanks. Lots of cheap plastic and broken pieces. Poor reliability and garbage cvt’s. However, the Ascent is definitely promising as it’s a good step for Subaru. They need larger, more mainstream vehicles to expand their brand. Quirky, obscure vehicles can’t get them the sales they need to be relevant. Hopefully Subaru begins to mandate cvt fluid changes for Subaru of North America vehicles. Lack of cvt fluid changes are the Achilles heel for Subaru cvt’s.
That’s good! I never really had an issue with my 2011 Maxima CVT, but that one was pretty responsive, and relatively quick. But in the back of my head…. I feel like at any time that budget transmission was gonna GO!
If Subaru decide to ditch that CVT and get a proper automatic transmission it would be golden. Its great to hear manufactures like Nissan learn the lesson and moved to automatic transmissions (ex Pathfinder no more has CVT..!!)
Excellent review, Mike, and Congratulations on being a new dad!
Thanks Mr. W!
Good job!!
@@joshuasyrtash860 thanks Josh!
I don't understand the problem with the CVT. My Outback has 234,000 and my wife's has 179,000 miles. Had to change the transmission fluid at 200,000. Otherwise not a single problem. My car moves well and does not make a lot of noise. replaced 2 Fords both had transmission problem well before 200k.
Nice to have MD doing the review. Nice work.
Congratulations! Mike, I had to do a double take. With you standing next to the Ascent, I thought you were reviewing the Outback. Great review!
🤣🤣🤣 thanks Bao!!!
YOOO DANGERRRRR.
You know this week will be good when you get Danger's review on a MONDAY!
Congrats on being a dad!!! Life only gets better. Just ask Micah
Thanks mojojojojojoo!!!!!!
congrats on being a new dad! Love the review!
Thanks Mike!
Excellent review Mike. And I agree with you. That CVT transmission is a dealbreaker for me
Thanks Noah. Yeah CVT aint for me!
ATM machine.
I bought a crosstrek 6 speed 3 pedals. I'm very happy with it. Cvt ain't for me either
Excellent review - just enough humor, lots of real-world commentary. Thanks!
Haha thanks man!
Great video, great host, great music, this pretty much sold me. Checking one out this week.
1:09 this, my friends, is why you get a minivan. Enough said.
Never a reason to get a minivan if male. Unless you had a Vasectomy.
@@21fnasser I have a Honda Odyssey currently. And I still shoot full and potent.
We have a minivan and have test driven the ascent (with all our child car seats!). The 3rd row is plenty big for normal sized adults. The guy in the video above is well over 6 feet tall (the ascent is 6ft tall itself, look how high he towers over it!). You can tell he's set the 1st row seat to his height, and the 2nd row as well, so basically all the seats are all the way back. Do that in a minivan and it's the same problem in the 3rd row.
for whom though - if you have no need for a 3rd row expcet in a pinch.
Our 2011 Outback has a 5 speed transmission and a 6 cylinder motor, which is why we'll keep it forever.
You mean your lifetime and not forever forever, right?
Congrats on the new addition to your family and great seeing you doing another review.
Thank ya Meena Mommy!!!
I thought that was the Forester when Mike was standing next to it! Glad to see more of Mike!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 do I really look that big?!?
@@yesmikedanger Well, you seem really tall - but perhaps it was just the camera angle ;)
my wife is currently of a mind to check these out, so here i am doing my research. thoroughly enjoyed your video, entertaining while answering all my questions plus a few i didn't know i had. thx Big Daddy
Looking Good Mike! Congrats on being a new dad! Great Review!
Hey thanks for tuning in, Jon!
My wife and I just bought a 2022 Ascent Touring yesterday. Crimson Red with Black Leather Seats as my wife wasn't too thrilled with the Java Brown. They had an Onyx Edition too but it was optioned with many of the same features as the Touring which brought the MSRP up to $42K. I opted not to go with the Onyx because of the seat material, no ventilated seats or rear heated seats and the standard speaker system. The Harmon Kardon system is amazing.
How's it doing now?
@blissfuljoy6049 great, no issues. It has less than 20,000 miles on it as my wife works from home and it is her daily driver. We usually take it out on the weekends and on vacations for longer trips. We did have to replace the stock tires as they were worn. Not great but we've upgraded to General Altimax 365AW which I have on my Forester and love them. On rare occasions we had to reset the touch screen by holding down the power but most of those issues were related to Android Auto and we haven't had to do that in some time. Still a great vehicle and no regrets.
@@FastActionFishing Awesome, thanks.
CONGRATS on the new baby Mike. As a brother following KBB since 2006 it's refreshing to finally see a brother on the KBB team. Keep on doing what you do 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Hey thanks Matt! I appreciate your support tremendously, brotha. 🤜🏾🤛🏾
I like Mike Danger...he's very fun to watch plus gives a real time review for tall men
Great review as always! I think this is one of the best looking SUV on the road ATM!
Thanks Craig! And yeah, it’s actually a good looking SUV. But I’d have to do that ONYX trim for sure 👍 i like those blacked out Accents
Not a Subaru fan but geat review Mike! Congrats on the new baby.
Haha thanks Shawn! Appreciate that.
Mike is my new fav reviewer! Awesome review and congrats on being a new dad!
Well thank you! 🙏🏾
A quality review as always Mike Danger. Cheers from Australia
Thanks Scott! Cheers mate!
I just bought a 2022 Subaru Ascent Premium. For a 3 row Family SUV it was definitely the best deal via the competition
How's it doing?
Nice smooth presentation....... Neo-jazzy 👍🏾
Disagree with wanting the bigger outback screen. After 8 months with our Outback, I would argue it is possibly the worst thing about our vehicle and constantly making us miss the 8” screen from the Forester. It’s big and beautiful, but fails heavily!
lol your ridiculous
I do also
Agreed. It's an awful infotainment system.
Whats the point to put two seats in the second row and three in the third? Having three seats in the second an two in the third row would be more spacious for the Passangers and more practical?
How have I not seen this channel until today?
I am driving a 2022 limited as a loaner vehicle while my WRX is being serviced. My biggest drawback is that it doesn't have a manual transmission. It a lot more leg room for my son and air vents everywhere. The extra screen above the main dash is nice for navigation.
Have they improved the CVT? My friend's 2019 Accent tranny slippage was sad for such a comfy and nice suv
I have a 2019 Limited. Can't see big changes but I find the CVT is just fine, love the safety stuff but hate the beep, beep, etc. I don't find it competitively quiet. The thing that would keep me from buying another is the horrible Nav system. Its just wrong as often as its right - super annoying. My wife sticks a suction cup aftermarket ($200) Garmin right over it.
I’m 6ft. I fit okay in third row of my ‘22 sitting behind myself in 2nd row captain’s okay, if I really had to. Had my loaded Limited six weeks, I love it. It’s quirky and weird about accelerating but we are a Subaru home and our ‘17 Outback has had zero issues in five years. I’m not worried about CVT. Dealer one mile from my house if there’s an issue.
How's it doing now?
Hey Mike congrats. And nice to see that Subaru and Mazda are the only manufacturers that still have 3 row fully loaded SUV under $45k
The Mitsubishi Outlander is about $35000 😂. I wouldn’t buy it though
*whispers* "X-moooooooode..."
fun fact: that was my little nod to the best movie of all time: "Deadpool 2". X-FORCE!!!
You forgot the star competitors - 'Selluride' and 'Palisade'
Oh blah eeeeeeveryone knows about THOSE guys 🥴
Great review, Mike. I test drove this particular model on 2 occasions both highway and streets for a total of 1 hour. I don't mind the CVT and instant torque you get but the accelaration is a little jumpy and unrefined (I guess you just have to re-train your foot to be a little more sensitive on the gas pedal). There is a lot of body roll as well so everyone head's will feel their head tilt even with the slightest lane changes/corners. Everything else I found great - infotainment, quietness of the cabin, back/3rd row seats and how they easily fold down, storage space at the back, and the 19 cupholders, among a few. I just wish this drove more like a Mazda CX-9 where you feel more refined performance. If both were drummers in a band - the Ascent will be more like heavy metal while the CX-9 is jazz.
That’s a cool comparison! Yeah I found that the Ascent does its job right and more. But you gotta look elsewhere for more driving pizzazz. Thanks for watching!
3:10 i like the bbc reference lol
😩😩😩 this is a family show!
Congratulations!
Great review,, Love this team! I would definitely pass on this SUV, the competition is better
Thanks Brandan!
Best review I've seen.
Mike Congrats!!
Yeah buddy! Thanks Jesse!
New sub. Thanks for keeping it real man.
Well done man. Well done.
Thanks reggie
Cool Review Mike Danger. Congratulations on fatherhood 😎
Thanks Curtis!
@@yesmikedanger 😎
It's the Carmex for me... Great review.
Hey, gotta keep the lips right. The Baby needs some siblings sometime soon 🤣
Thumbs Up for Mike!
No, thumbs up for YOU! 👍👍👍🙌🏾
I have a Forester with CVT, not really an issue for me. It's not a race car
I got triggered when you brought up coco... co... ccccoooco.... Cocomelon. 😅
Lmaooooo it’s crazy I tell you!
Great review Mike!
Thanks DK!
Great job Danger!
Thanks
Great informative and amusing review
Great review!
Nice video Mike!😸
Thanks Ryan!
The throttle responses have been revised in the 23 model year and they much smoother now. You guys should update your review.
Great review Mike
Hey thanks Nigel!
When I saw Mike in one of the earlier Civic reviews and was like we need more of him he's awesome!
Haha thanks Duke! I’ll be here!
Can the 3rd row be completely removed?
I know this sounds crazy but I would want to get the 2nd row as a bench seat so I can fit 3 passengers but I never would have kids with me but ALWAYS need cargo space. Trying to figure out If I can basically have a Forester with more cargo space, without utilizing the 40/60 split in seats.
Dangerrrrrr. Great review!
Thanks broski!
That guy is HUGE!!
6’4” 220 lbs yesser!!!
As always, awesome review.
Welcome to fatherhood, Mike.
Thanks Big Bambataa!
Nice to see you again Mike!!! Love seeing you do car reviews!!
Thanks for tuning in, David!
How reliable is this vehicle?
The Ascent, I believe, is the only three row mid sized crossover made with a CVT as at now.
Do we need to pay for the front camera services?
Great review! Your height really threw me off at the beginning. I thought you were standing next to an Outback.
DANGER ZONE!!!
Booyah!!! 💥
how tall are you Mike? U make that ascent look like a hatchback
"Biggers better" **sips the drink** 💀💀💀
LOLLL!!!! It sounded "classier" in my head. smh.
Mike is easily 6'4". 👀 Unless the beginning shot was on Green Screen. And congratz on being a papa bear, papa bear. ✔️💪🏼
Haha thanks Hans! And no green screen here… just a 6’4” dude making cars and SUVs look tiny 🤣
@@yesmikedanger ☑️😁😅
Great review. Love my 2020 Ascent Limited! The CVT can be odd at times. I had a Highlander before this and it frequently fumbled shifts at low speeds. In normal driving, the CVT fades into the background.
I bought a crosstrek with the 6mt and I think they should offer more models with the fantastic manual. The shifter, transmission, and differentials are taken right from the wrx. It's a very refined manual
Mike makes Ascent look like Outback 🙂
🤣🤣🤣🤣 no more gym for me.
Will it fit a 4x8 sheet of plyboard? Can you fit in the second row with the first row all the way back?
Max width is a little too tight, about 47”
More review's by Mr Mike please 😌
Yesss Mike🙏🏼
Ayyyyyy 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
"Bigger is better, right?" Be careful what you wish for. Five minutes with that 11" screen, and you'll be begging to have the physical AC controls and responsive 8" screen back...
Brilliant
I spent 5 months with it and gave up. Had a 22 Wilderness with that large screen - looks great, horrible to use. Thanks to crazy market, traded for more than I bought it for and went to the Ascent. So nice to have physical buttons again!
Hey that's a good point! Well, in a perfect world... I'd love the big ol screen WITH physical buttons. Thanks for watchin!
@@tempolimit8420 I hear ya! Totally right...
Thank god the Ascent doesn't have the eye of Sauron beeping at you whenever you blink and actual knobs for the radio and hvac. No start stop is also great. I miss the S/I button, but I think it's in I mode permanently so that's good. Built in nav is absolute garbage.
6 recalls for my ascent, now CVT may have to be replaced. Sorry, do not do it
Feels like 90% of all people who review 3rd row SUV's are over 6 feet tall, well above average. I'm 5'8" and have sat in the 3rd row, it's totally fine. Plenty of leg room and head room. Plus you're unlikely to have the 1st row or even 2nd row seats all the way back.
Subaru wants you to pay almost $50k for a three row SUV with a CVT. I think it's safe to say that people who are considering this don't know what a CVT is.
I think most of them will be $38k premiums with the tech package which is a much better value proposition.
I love Subaru. I test drove and loved it. I actually love the feel of CVT in my current Impreza!
I seriously was going to buy it but there was a big dealbreaker.
!!! NO WD hitch support !!!
According to owner's manual, surprisingly no weight distribution hitch should be used when towing despite its high tow rating.
Experienced drivers know how dangerous it is w/o WD hitch when towing such load. For anyone w/o towing in mind, it is still a perfect SUV.
Oh wow that’s good to know! Thanks for sharing that T!
X mode Daddy Danger 👌🏽
I’m 5,11 I have no problem in the third row as long as the seat in front of me is moved forward a little bit and I recline the third row seat.
It’s fine in a pinch….
Why would you show a 6’4” person using the 3rd row?
Because i mean, what if a basketball or volleyball player has friends 🤨 🤷🏾♂️
Ok did Antman shrink this Ascent or something?! Or is he just really tall? Top of my head barely reaches the top of the window!
Job well done. Also - welcome to fatherhood !
THANK YA, PDS!
Is the CVT really that bad ?
It’s decent until about 70-80k miles. Then the chances of failure increase substantially unless the customer does regular cvt maintenance.
Thanks Mario, I appreciate the response…
Physical HVAC controls! I'd rather have this small screen infotainment.
Wasn't the Ascent one of the few Subaru models consumer reports did NOT recommend. I though there were reliability issues ?
Mechanics will tell you to avoid ALL Subaru’s. Source - 30 year master mechanic 🤘🏿
@@Jose_hernandez970 Long time Subaru owners may tell you different
@@TeslaRules1856 longtime Subaru owners visit me for maintenance. Loyalty is big. Reliability is not.
@@Jose_hernandez970 I have had Subaru's for 21 years - dont agree.
Kids do indeed go crazy for Cocomelon.
Right?!?!
@@yesmikedanger I literally sing Cocomelon songs in my head while driving, it's driving me insane 🤣🤣🤣
@@MHassan1986 ha! Mission accomplished on their end!
At a glance, looks like a slammed Ford Explorer.
Would be interested to see how these newer Subies handle snow/dirt.
Looks like that because Mike is so tall!
Mike, what do you daily drive?
Would you believe that i daily a Prius and a motorcycle?
@@yesmikedanger dude how?? Lol I picture a circus clown 🤡 coming out of a toy car when I imagine you driving a Prius
Also really great work man on these vids. I’m starting to more and more of your personality in each new review :)
@@Stingray_614 lol 😂 😭!!!! Because before working with KBB i was driving 100 total miles a day for work, and lugging around photography equipment AND driving Lyft! I honestly have a ton of space in that car for myself, the wife & kid on top of 50 mpg on average. I kinda love it! It definitely served its purpose 🙌🏾 But the next ride i get is for sure gonna be some big SUV for the fam 🚙
I ❤ Subaru !
@yesmikedanger --- Love your vids, but... The suspension is "smooth?" What does that mean? Softly sprung? The steering and brakes are "compliant and confident?" What does that mean, and how do those personified terms apply to the mechanicals of a car? That's like saying "the rain falls confidently." See? Doesn't make any sense and doesn't actually tell your audience anything. It's not just you, it's ALL car reviewers (KBB reviewers are the worst offenders). Ya gotta actually explain things instead of using ambiguous terminology.
I'm interested in an Ascent. I currently ride a Forrester 😀
Would definitely like to buy a vehicle like this but CVT is a deal-breaker
Well no one uses the third seat. It rides nice and all Subies are TANKS. GAS mileage is pretty good. I get 21 mpg. CVT is ok and speeds up great, VERY fast. Very good in snow.
Subarus are far from tanks. Lots of cheap plastic and broken pieces. Poor reliability and garbage cvt’s. However, the Ascent is definitely promising as it’s a good step for Subaru. They need larger, more mainstream vehicles to expand their brand. Quirky, obscure vehicles can’t get them the sales they need to be relevant. Hopefully Subaru begins to mandate cvt fluid changes for Subaru of North America vehicles. Lack of cvt fluid changes are the Achilles heel for Subaru cvt’s.
Is that evie,s old crv in the big?
I don't have an issue with the CVT in my 2013 legacy gt.
That’s good! I never really had an issue with my 2011 Maxima CVT, but that one was pretty responsive, and relatively quick. But in the back of my head…. I feel like at any time that budget transmission was gonna GO!
@@yesmikedanger Mine is also very responsive. It is the same gearbox on forester XT and WRX.
Not a bad review, but man, what is up with the background music?
how tall are you? you make this suv look tiny when you’re next to it 😂
If Subaru decide to ditch that CVT and get a proper automatic transmission it would be golden. Its great to hear manufactures like Nissan learn the lesson and moved to automatic transmissions (ex Pathfinder no more has CVT..!!)
Drag race to daycare… challenge accepted