Subaru ascent vs. van: unmasking the ideal vehicle for adventures

When it comes to family vehicles, the Subaru Ascent and minivans are two popular options. Both offer spacious interiors, versatile seating arrangements, and advanced safety features. However, there are some key differences between these two types of vehicles that can make one a better choice for your family than the other.

In this blog post, we’ll compare the Subaru Ascent vs. van in terms of space, seating, safety, performance, fuel economy, reliability, and price. We’ll also provide an FAQ section to answer some of the most common questions about these two vehicles.

Space

The Subaru Ascent and minivans are both known for their spacious interiors. However, minivans typically have more cargo space than the Ascent. For example, the Toyota Sienna has 101 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, while the Subaru Ascent has 86.5 cubic feet.

If you need a vehicle with plenty of room for cargo, a minivan is a better choice than the Ascent. However, if you’re looking for a vehicle with a more stylish exterior and better handling, the Ascent is a better option.

Seating

The Subaru Ascent and minivans both offer versatile seating arrangements. The Ascent has seating for up to eight passengers, while minivans typically have seating for up to seven or eight passengers.

Both the Ascent and minivans offer comfortable seating, but minivans typically have more legroom and headroom in the second and third rows. Minivans also typically have more convenient features for families, such as sliding doors and built-in child seats.

If you need a vehicle with plenty of seating and space for your family, a minivan is a better choice than the Ascent. However, if you’re looking for a vehicle with a more stylish exterior and better handling, the Ascent is a better option.

Safety

The Subaru Ascent and minivans are both safe vehicles. However, the Ascent has a slight edge in terms of safety ratings. The Ascent received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the Toyota Sienna received a four-star overall safety rating.

Both the Ascent and minivans offer a variety of advanced safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Ascent offers a few more advanced safety features than minivans, such as blind spot monitoring with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

If you’re looking for a safe vehicle for your family, both the Subaru Ascent and minivans are good choices. However, the Ascent has a slight edge in terms of safety ratings and offers a few more advanced safety features.

Performance

The Subaru Ascent and minivans offer different performance characteristics. The Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Minivans are typically powered by V6 engines that produce more horsepower and torque than the Ascent’s engine.

The Ascent’s engine is more fuel-efficient than the V6 engines found in minivans. However, the Ascent is not as powerful as minivans, and it can feel sluggish when accelerating at highway speeds.

If you need a vehicle with plenty of power, a minivan is a better choice than the Ascent. However, if you’re looking for a vehicle with better fuel economy, the Ascent is a better option.

Fuel Economy

The Subaru Ascent and minivans offer different fuel economy ratings. The Ascent has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Minivans typically have lower fuel economy ratings, with most models getting around 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

If you’re looking for a vehicle with good fuel economy, the Subaru Ascent is a better choice than a minivan.

Reliability

The Subaru Ascent and minivans have different reliability ratings. The Ascent has a predicted reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from J.D. Power, while minivans typically have predicted reliability ratings of 3.0 out of 5.0.

This means that the Ascent is predicted to be more reliable than minivans. However, it’s important to note that all vehicles can experience problems, and no vehicle is completely immune to breakdowns.

Price

The Subaru Ascent and minivans have different price ranges. The Ascent has a starting price of $33,945, while minivans typically have starting prices in the mid-$30,000s.

The Ascent is a more expensive vehicle than minivans, but it also offers more features and better performance. If you’re looking for a vehicle with a lot of features and good performance, the Ascent is a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a vehicle with a lower price, a minivan is a better option.

Which is Right for You?

The Subaru Ascent and minivans are both good choices for families. However, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

If you need a vehicle with plenty of space, seating, and safety features, a minivan is a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a vehicle with a more stylish exterior, better handling, and better fuel economy, the Ascent is a good choice.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Q: Which is more spacious, the Subaru Ascent or a minivan?

A: Minivans typically have more cargo space than the Ascent. For example, the Toyota Sienna has 101 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, while the Subaru Ascent has 86.5 cubic feet.

Q: Which has more seating, the Subaru Ascent or a minivan?

A: The Subaru Ascent and minivans both offer versatile seating arrangements. The Ascent has seating for up to eight passengers, while minivans typically have seating for up to seven or eight passengers.

Q: Which is safer, the Subaru Ascent or a minivan?

A: The Subaru Ascent and minivans are both safe vehicles. However, the Ascent has a slight edge in terms of safety ratings. The Ascent received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the Toyota Sienna received a four-star overall safety rating.

Q: Which has better performance, the Subaru Ascent or a minivan?

A: The Subaru Ascent and minivans offer different performance characteristics. The Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Minivans are typically powered by V6 engines that produce more horsepower and torque than the Ascent’s engine.

Q: Which has better fuel economy, the Subaru Ascent or a minivan?

A: The Subaru Ascent and minivans offer different fuel economy ratings. The Ascent has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Minivans typically have lower fuel economy ratings, with most models getting around 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.