Conquer the road with confidence: subaru ascent vs mazda cx-9 shootout
What To Know
- However, the Ascent’s engine is more fuel-efficient, getting an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the CX-9’s 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
- The Mazda CX-9 has a more powerful engine, with 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque compared to the Subaru Ascent’s 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.
- The Subaru Ascent has a better fuel economy, getting an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the Mazda CX-9’s 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
When it comes to three-row SUVs, the Subaru Ascent and Mazda CX-9 are two of the most popular choices on the market. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, plenty of features, and a comfortable ride. But which one is the right choice for you? To help you decide, we’ve put together a detailed comparison of the Subaru Ascent vs. Mazda CX-9.
Performance
The Subaru Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Mazda CX-9 is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of performance, the Mazda CX-9 has a slight edge over the Subaru Ascent. The CX-9’s engine produces more torque, which gives it better acceleration and towing capacity. However, the Ascent’s engine is more fuel-efficient, getting an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the CX-9’s 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Handling
Both the Subaru Ascent and Mazda CX-9 handle well for their size. The Ascent has a slightly softer suspension, which makes it more comfortable on bumpy roads. The CX-9 has a sportier suspension, which gives it better handling around corners.
Interior
The Subaru Ascent and Mazda CX-9 both have spacious interiors with three rows of seating. The Ascent has a slightly larger interior than the CX-9, with more headroom and legroom in all three rows. The CX-9 has a more upscale interior, with higher-quality materials and a more stylish design.
Features
The Subaru Ascent and Mazda CX-9 both come with a long list of standard features. The Ascent comes standard with all-wheel drive, a rearview camera, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The CX-9 comes standard with front-wheel drive, a rearview camera, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Both vehicles offer a variety of available features, including a sunroof, leather seats, and a navigation system. The Ascent offers a few more standard features than the CX-9, but the CX-9 offers a few more available features.
Safety
The Subaru Ascent and Mazda CX-9 both have excellent safety ratings. The Ascent received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The CX-9 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.
Both vehicles come standard with a variety of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. The Ascent offers a few more standard safety features than the CX-9, but the CX-9 offers a few more available safety features.
Price
The Subaru Ascent has a starting price of $33,470. The Mazda CX-9 has a starting price of $35,070. Both vehicles offer a variety of trim levels, with the top-of-the-line Ascent Touring trim starting at $47,820 and the top-of-the-line CX-9 Signature trim starting at $47,705.
Which One Is Right for You?
The Subaru Ascent and Mazda CX-9 are both excellent three-row SUVs. The Ascent is a good choice for buyers who want a spacious interior, plenty of features, and a comfortable ride. The CX-9 is a good choice for buyers who want a more upscale interior, better handling, and more available safety features.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which vehicle is right for you is to test drive both of them. That way, you can see which one you prefer in terms of performance, handling, interior, features, and safety.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Which vehicle has a more powerful engine?
A: The Mazda CX-9 has a more powerful engine, with 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque compared to the Subaru Ascent‘s 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.
Q: Which vehicle has a better fuel economy?
A: The Subaru Ascent has a better fuel economy, getting an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the Mazda CX-9’s 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Q: Which vehicle has a more spacious interior?
A: The Subaru Ascent has a more spacious interior, with more headroom and legroom in all three rows compared to the Mazda CX-9.
Q: Which vehicle has a more upscale interior?
A: The Mazda CX-9 has a more upscale interior, with higher-quality materials and a more stylish design compared to the Subaru Ascent.
Q: Which vehicle has more standard features?
A: The Subaru Ascent has more standard features, including all-wheel drive, a rearview camera, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system compared to the Mazda CX-9’s front-wheel drive, a rearview camera, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Q: Which vehicle has better safety ratings?
A: Both the Subaru Ascent and Mazda CX-9 have excellent safety ratings, with both vehicles receiving a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.
Q: Which vehicle has a lower starting price?
A: The Subaru Ascent has a lower starting price of $33,470 compared to the Mazda CX-9’s starting price of $35,070.