Regular readers know that I've had somewhat conflicting thoughts on the whole black trim-black wheels thing. It works on the new Toyota Land Cruiser. It works on the new Hyundai Santa Fe. It works on the Subaru BRZ tS.
On the Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition, though? Frankly, it looks like Batman has carpool duty this week---an impression also partly due to an over-agressive front-end refresh last year.
From the A-pillar back, the 2024 Subaru Ascent is pretty much the prototype for every mid-size seven-passenger SUV on the market...putting it up against the Kia Telluride and the Honda Pilot, just to name two (Yes, both of those vehicles were wearing black trim and wheels, too. But they were in a contrasting color. The Ascent's Cosmic Blue Pearl is very dark and provides no contrast).
Under the hood, it's a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Power output is good at 260 horses, and the throttle response is such that it's very quick off the line. In fact, it takes a day or so to get used to how suddenly it moves when your foot presses on the pedal. Overall, though, the performance numbers are typical for the segment. Zero to 60 in 6.8 (a tie with the Telluride) and an EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg combines (one better than the Telluride and the Pilot I reviewed).
The transmission is a CVT with 8-speed manual shift mode, and being a Subaru, all-wheel drive is standard. It has Subaru's X-Mode dual mode traction management system, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and vehicle dynamics control. Its ground clearance of 8.7 inches gives it some off-road chops to boot.
There's only 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. The Pilot has 18.6 and the Telluride 21.0. Fold that third row down and there's 42 to the Pilot's 48.5 and the Telluride's 46.0. Fold both rows down and the Subaru falls behind significantly---73 cubic feet compared to 87 in both the Honda and the Kia.
Second-row passengers get a comfortable 38.6 inches of legroom. In the third row, it's considerably tighter, at 31.7.
The 2024 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition is as loaded as the top-of-the-line Touring Edition---it just swaps out Nappa leather-trimmed seating for StarTex water-repellent upholstery trim. Base price is $48,140 including destination and the standard equipment includes a comprehensive suite of active safety features, 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, 700-lb capacity roof rails, LED steering-responsibe headlights with high beam assist, a panoramic power moonroof with dual glass and a sunshade, three-zone automatic climate control, an 11.6-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-month trial to SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a Harman Kardon quantum logic surround sound audio system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, tilt/telescoping steeering column, retractable sunshades in the rear doors, a 12-way power driver's seat with lumbar, a four-way power passenger seat, heated front and second-row seats and----count 'em----NINETEEN cup and bottle holders. Seven people could be two-fisted drinkers and you'd still have five empty cupholders.
The good news is that the 2024 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition is a one-price deal. No extra-cost options. Meaning the price at the bottom of the window sticker stays $48,140.
And it's there that the Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition has a major advantage. $48,140 is $6,400 less than the as-tested price of the Kia Telluride SX I reviewed in December, and $1,900 less than the 2023 Honda Pilot I reviewed in March of that year---a price that's gone up with Honda's yearly price increase.
The Ascent Onyx Edition has its quirks---what Subaru doesn't?---but that price difference can make it a strong contender for a lot of families.
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