If you think you're starting to see more and more SUVs on the road today, you're right. 52% of all vehicles sold lately are SUVs and for good reason. With more room for passengers and cargo, plus the versatility of being able to accommodate anywhere from 5-8 occupants, more people are choosing to put an SUV in their driveway than ever before. You'll also see more power and better gas mileage with SUVs as well as advanced safety measures. When you decide it's your turn to check out an SUV, it can be daunting to figure out just which one is right for you. Even when you narrow it down to a specific brand, it can still be difficult to make a decision. At Byers Airport Subaru, we've done the hard work for you so you can enjoy your car-buying experience and be able to make an informed decision in less time. Below you'll find a comparison of the 2023 Subaru Ascent, a family-friendly SUV that boasts three rows of seating and the 2023 Subaru Outback, a rugged and durable crossover that seats 5 comfortably. You'll be able to see just how these two powerhouses stack up against each other in all the important categories including performance and safety. If you have any questions after reading, we encourage you to contact us at Byers Airport Subaru by phone, online, or simply stop by our friendly dealership. We're always ready to help.
If there's one thing people think about when they hear the name Subaru, it's impressive off-roading capability. The 2023 Ascent and the 2023 Outback both offer a standard 8.7-inch ground clearance to easily tame the unpaved road. If you're looking for even more excitement, the Outback Wilderness trim level offers a 9.5-inch ground clearance. You'll find 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels on the Ascent with the option to upgrade to 20-inch wheels. The Outback offers standard 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and available 18-inch wheels. LED steering responsive headlights are standard fare on both SUVs while the Outback offers standard LED fog lights, an available feature on higher trim levels of the Ascent. Both SUVs offer the available windshield wiper de-icer but only the Outback offers it on the rear windshield as well. Raised roof rails are standard on both vehicles but if you're in the market for an SUV you can take on weekend adventures, the Outback Wilderness offers a 700 pound static capacity, making it easy to bring along your rooftop tent.
The biggest difference between the 2023 Ascent & the 2023 Outback is the size. You'll find 153.2 cubic feet of passenger volume in the Ascent versus 109 cubic feet inside the Outback. Surprisingly, both SUVs offer the same amount of maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded: an impressive 75.6 cubic feet. Both the Ascent and the Outback offer heated front seats on every model above the base as well as available heated rear outboard seats, ventilated front seats, and Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery.
Staying connected is easy inside both SUVs with the standard STARLINK® Multimedia Plus system, including standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration as well as Bluetooth® for hands-free calling and text messaging. The Ascent comes with a large 11.6-inch touchscreen display while the Outback delivers dual 7.0-inch displays as standard fare with the option to upgrade to an 11.6-inch screen. Both SUVs offer available navigation and the Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System.
The 2023 Ascent boasts a 2.4L turbocharged BOXER® engine under the hood that generates a mighty 260 horsepower and 277 lb/ft of torque. The 2023 Outback brings two powertrain options to the table: the standard 182-horsepower 2.5L BOXER® or the available 2.4L turbocharged BOXER® that matches the 260 horsepower of it's larger sibling. Both are paired to a Lineartronic® CVT automatic and come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, X-MODE®, Active Torque Vectoring, and Hill Descent Control. The Ascent can tow a max of 5,000 lbs while the Outback tows up to 3,500 lbs.
The name Subaru is synonymous with safety and the 2023 models of the Ascent and the Outback are perfect examples. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded both SUVs a perfect 5-star crash safety test rating and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named both vehicles a Top Safety Pick+, the institution's highest honor. The EyeSight® suite of driver assist technology is a big reason for the accolades and includes Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change and Sway Warning, Lane Centering, and much more. The DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System is available on higher trim levels of both SUVs and will alert you when it detects driving done while distracted or drowsy.
No matter if you have a large family and require extra room, or you're looking for a compact crossover SUV for daily driving and weekend journeys, Subaru has exactly what you need. The 2023 Ascent has a starting MSRP of only $33,895 while the 2023 Outback boasts a starting MSRP of just $28,295. Both SUVs offer incredible value, quality standard features including all-wheel drive, the EyeSight® safety package, and so much more. To determine which SUV checks all of your boxes, we encourage you to contact Byers Airport Subaru today and get on our books for a test drive.
| 2023 Subaru Ascent |
|
2023 Subaru Outback |
| $33,895 | Starting MSRP* | $28,395 |
| 7-8 Passengers | Seating Capacity | 5 Passengers |
| 153.2 Cubic Feet | Standard Passenger Volume | 109.0 Cubic Feet |
| 43.5 - 75.6 Cubic Feet | Cargo Capacity (Standard-Max) | 32.6 - 75.6 Cubic Feet |
| 2.4-Liter Turbocharged SUBARU BOXER 4-Cylinder | Standard Engine | 2.5-Liter SUBARU BOXER 4-Cylinder |
| 260 Horsepower w/ 277 lb-ft of Torque | Standard Performance Output (Horsepower/Torque) | 182 Horsepower w/ 176 lb-ft of Torque |
| Standard | Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive | Standard |
| 26 MPG / 20 MPG | Standard Fuel Economy (City / Highway) | 32 MPG / 26 MPG |
| Standard | EyeSight Driver Assist Technology | Standard |
| 5/5 Stars | NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 5/5 Stars |
*Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice.
