2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, with its practical and utilitarian design, resembled a larger Subaru Forester. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares that added visual strength. The robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on most trims highlighted its purposeful design. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with smaller wheels and lacked privacy glass, while the Premium trim offered enhanced detailing and features for $34,395. The Limited trim added leather seats, and the Touring trim, priced at $45,045, included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and luxury enhancements. The Touring trim's interior, with its Java Brown leather and quality materials, was more stylish than previous Subaru models, offering a sense of value for money. However, CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium with option packages for a similar look to the Touring trim at a lower price.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, maintained a familiar and fun design with curvy, car-like lines. It shared a family resemblance with Honda's sedans, leaning more towards a station wagon look. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather clashing with low-quality plastics. The base CR-V LX, starting at $26,270, offered simplicity with four trim levels. The CR-V's design was practical, with standard 17-inch alloy wheels and optional larger wheels on higher trims. The interior was spacious, with a retractable moonroof on all but the LX trim, and roof rails only on the Touring model.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine provided good acceleration, it was thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg in real-world testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not sporty, with slow and numb steering, and the suspension struggled on uneven surfaces. The CVT, despite its programmed ratios, delivered uneven power and unpredictable performance. The Ascent excelled on smooth highways and off-road, thanks to its AWD system, X-Mode, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The CR-V's powertrain was well-matched, offering quick acceleration, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency. The CR-V achieved 30 mpg combined for FWD models and 29 mpg for AWD, placing it among the most fuel-efficient in its class. A hybrid version was also available for those seeking even higher fuel economy.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered comfort, especially in the Touring trim, with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and the armrests were well-padded. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and ambient lighting, though the controls appeared dated. The Ascent provided a choice of second-row bench or captain's chairs, with the latter offering sliding and heated cushions. The third row was accessible and comfortable for short trips. Cargo space was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space, matching the Volkswagen Tiguan in roominess. It offered excellent head- and legroom, with a well-designed seating position for visibility. The CR-V's center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, inspired by the Odyssey minivan. The rear had a two-position load floor, providing 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with seats folded. The CR-V's door pockets were spacious, making it easy to store items.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, WiFi hotspot, and connected services. The Touring trim featured a high-resolution screen and navigation. While the system was user-friendly, the voice-control system was outdated, and the navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle. The Ascent included USB ports in all rows and a unique PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch screen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports in EX trim and above, with a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring, while Limited included LED headlights and reverse automatic braking. The Ascent also had a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included Honda Sensing as standard, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring. The CR-V earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with LED headlights on the Touring trim improving nighttime visibility. A recall for rear subframe failure affected a small number of vehicles.