Is the NEW 2023 Subaru Ascent a better SUV than a Kia Telluride? 

I chose the Ascent over the Telluride because comparing apples to apples you get more for your money. Dealers are still charging above MSRP or adding a bunch of add-ons (e.g., paint protector, alarms, etc.) to the Tellurides. Folks while you're out there shopping please remember these new vehicles are depreciating assets. Paying at MSRP or above is not worth it for any brand. There are deals out there especially now that the chip shortage has been resolved. Stay away from Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia because these vehicles are in high demand, so dealerships are less likely to budge on the MSRP. Go with a less popular brand like Mazda or Subaru because you're likely to get a better deal.

Hi, I just bought a Subaru Ascent and really love it . I have to correct you on the A/C there’s two ways to change temperature not on the big screen but you missed the red and green arrows to adjust the temperature 👍

Been watching for a while and i am very impressed with how professional your team is, thank you for your hard work,i remember i had my other guys that i follow and now you are one of the ones i try to watch every video. Keep up the great work. Many blessings to you and your family and your team in 2023!!!!

Great work, always extremely informative and thorough. Definitely best car reviews as they are very detailed and informative and include the all important Zonk , y’all do a excellent work.

I purchased a 2022 Subaru Ascent Onyx edition this past summer. I went with the Onyx because I have small kids and man the interior is holding up nicely. My daughter spilled water and coffee on our first trip into Yosemite National park in the second row. Thankfully standard all season mats are included. I didn’t want any leather in the car since I knew that having little ones it was going to get dirty. I’m happy with my Subaru.

Once you go Accent, There's no substitute!!! I have a 2023 Touring Accent, Our first trip was Solvang it drove beautiful..Go Accent and you'll stand out!!! 👍

Own at 2019 Ascent with 60k miles. Outstanding performance, quiet and great build quality. I plan to drive it for at least 250k, no problem. The Ascent is just so comfortable and quiet and you get a lot of value in the car. Two months ago, I had a 2023 Ascent loaner and I was floored at the progression of comfort and drive. The transmission was much smoother, very responsive, the drive was very comfortable. I find it amazing how things progress throughout the years. The maintenance of the Ascent is extremely reasonable. Mainly, just oil and filter changes! My largest expense did not occur until 60k miles and that was around $740. I'm good to go for another 30k miles before I spend any other funds on maintenance. The fit and finish of the Subaru product is exceptional. No cheesy plastic on the doors or dash. I would highly recommend you have a look at the Subaru line.

Currently shopping for our next family hauler. It's between 2023 Subaru Ascent and 2023 Honda Pilot. Subaru is my pick. Just waiting on the wife to choose. Haha!

I live in MA and definitely enjoyed watching this video. Super informative and funny with the dad jokes! I will purchasing my new Ascent Onyx Limited today. Thanks so much!

I do prefer the new front end vs. the previous. It wasn't terrible, but this gives it a more aggressive look and I like it.

I’ve decided to order the Ascent with the Touring trim. Thanks for the great video!

Excellent review as usual. Keep up the good work

Purchased a 23' Ascent Limited exactly like Joe's here (except with the Black Leather Interior) and this Review had very much to do with it, thanks Joe & Lori! New Subie Owners after owning 4Runner, Tahoe, Acadia & Durango with Ascent, so far being one of the best! Great Value and experience @ Subie Dealership, put arrogant Toyota Dealerships with their overpriced Highlanders to shame! Love the fact too we're not driving the same SUV everyone else on the Road is! Thanks again Guys, subscribing to find best next Subie(?) for when our son's old enough to drive here soon!

This continues to stay on my list of potential vehicle choices when I eventually upgrade from my 2012 4Runner. Stop making me decision so hard 😂🤣 all of these videos make me go back and forth a lot

My 84 y/o grandpa drives one with ventilated seats. My favorite three row, as well as it seems most is the palisade over the grand Cherokee L

You have awesome energy. And a great channel. I watch all your videos.

Very nice review and not bad of a car. My Grand Cherokee L has more space in the 3rd row but same amount of cargo space. Not bad seriously but I still prefer my Grand Cherokee L especially the interior for the same price. I have a limited. Great video as always! ***When is the Wagoneer L review coming?

I love it Joe and Lori and keep up the good work and I love the video 👍 💯💯💯

I really like your excellent evaluation of Subaru products. Your videos work well for owners (I'm on my sixth Subaru) and potential Subaru buyers. I do want to make a comment (you can yell at me if you want) ... I've presented hundreds of planetarium shows and in almost everyone I tell the story relationship of Pleiades and the Subaru emblem as I bring up the images on the dome (and they can look at my car). Anyway, Pleiades (Subaru) is an open star cluster in the constellation Taurus.

Hi Joe ... since my wife has a Sub Forester Sport I better keep my wonky comments to myself ...back in the day (1976) I was deciding between the Civic CVCC 5-Speed and the Forest Green Sub AWD Wagon ,.. and recall the Sub being about $500+ more than the Civic ... went with the Civic ...but the Sub AWD was certainly iconic back in those days ... can't go wrong with a Sub they make quality product ... maybe not the most exciting though ... Thanks Keith

I have a 2022 ascent which i love. just wish subaru had done two things ; 1) made a totally redesigned new boxer six cylinder engine in natural and turbocharged versions producing 280 and 350 hp . 2) kept a traditional transmission instead of the CVT still trying to get used to it.

The headlights looks luxuriously fancy. 20" wheels and Turbocharger too? Tempting to trade in my 2019 Ascent.

I have a Forester with a CVT. Has it been an issue, besides the get up and go-no. Do I worry about it constantly especially with the 100K warranty rapidly approaching- you betcha

Dropping a like and a comment for the algorithm.

I got the 2024 Onyx edition in grey/black over a week ago. I made the decision after testing an Atlas, Highlander, Telluride and CX90 (too pricey). You get best bang for the buck with the Subaru with top safety ratings which is big for me, having two kids. My previous car was a CX-9

Love my 2021 Limited, my second one. Have had no problems

would like to ask a question here, if you can answer, great- considering an Ascent as a tow vehicle, I am seeing it can handle up to 5k lbs. yet, a lot of what I am reading is that CVT is not good for towing. Thoughts? thanks much- Mike

I'm glad it doesn't have digital gauges. I hate screens instead of actual gauges.

The CVT is awesome my mom had a white 2020 Subaru Outback XT Onyx Edition. And with this engine and transmission. It was nice and smooth. We had it from September of 2019 to July of 2022. We sold it and now my mom drives a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Mindbuildingsolutions approved! Excellent video and content.

Hey Joe, I love your reviews. Thanks a bunch. It would be cool if you actually answer the question of which car is better. I’ve noticed lately that you ask is this car better than this car but then you don’t actually answer it at the end of the video. It would be nice if you would give your take on your own question, otherwise it just seems like click bait. Thanks a bunch!

I'm a Subaru owner and I like the black over the wheels that's what make it a Subaru that's there signature with the black all the way around the bottom it makes it the off-road protection. All their cars have that black on all their suvs vehicles

I know boxer is better balanced (vs I4) - would you say it will last longer? Especially in turbocharger version, compared to Turbo I4 ?

I have the 2022 and I am very pleased. I agree the 2022 had the stitching in front instead if that weird edge. It is much nicer looking. I do like having the buttons of 2022 for my heating and air conditioning. Also, the 2022 had the CD player, and I have lots of CDs so happy I was able to get it.

I prefer the black trim!! And I agree with you, I like my knobs for temp control, lol.

Hey Joe, how about you and Lori come visit Japan and check out the next Tokyo Auto Salon. It would be nice to have you guys visit especially now that you got the new Civic Type R because there are so many companies here specializing in upgrade parts for Type R.

Try using the blue and red arrow buttons to change the temperature

Subaru is ALWAYS better than Kia…

My wife just purchased a 2023 ascent onyx and I disagree about the flat 4 being lower in the chassis because it feels very too heavy and has a lot of body roll but she did just come from her 2020 Sti!

I'm torn between ascent onyx and honda passport. Which one should i pick?

I think the “all new grill” was the only change I didn’t spot at first. I like the car though. I can’t decide if I like the old or the new one better

I used to be a fan of hood gas struts, but the traditional hood prop does not amputate your fingers when you are working on / doing maintenance the engine. Plenty of videos online where professional mechanics get stuck with broken fingers, and are unable to reach the hood release.

Great review

Nice video ! Been a Forester Touring owner for some time and love the car's features but HATE the rough ride on older city streets. Now looking at the Ascent for better ride but you never mentioned the handling/noise on city streets or country roads. Your comments would be appreciated for sure. Right now I find the Ascent nice but 20" tires with an aspect ratio of 50 gives the car a rough ride on those streets. You can get a better ratio of 60 on the lower end models but that's not where I want to be for $47K.

We are considering trading my 2019 Forester for a 2023 Ascent now that we have a 3 year old and a 6 month old. When we go on trips, our Forester is just too small even with a topper.

Love the captain seats 💺 does all the trims come equipped with Captain seats ?

It's 2023, and all limited trims need to come with led exterior & interior lights

My brother bought the 2022 Subaru Impreza sedan last year and I've been loving Subaru ever since. I was skeptical about the CVT, but I actually grew to like it. It gives enough power when going uphill even at freeway speeds. It won't win any races but I feel confident passing cars on the freeway and easily gets up to speed. Best part is that it actually feels kind of like an auto. I'm hoping the CVT's in the newer Subaru's are only getting better.

The flagship Accent is the Touring equipped with ventilated front seats and 120-volt A/C which was missing on the center console of the second-row seats of the Limited trim.

Great video! How do you turnoff the auto stop/start feature?

Hey Joe, love your videos, trying to decide on the ascent or pathfinder rock creek, so tough, love different features in each, which one did you like better and what would you choose if you had to pick one?

Love my 2020 Ascent Limited! Wouldn’t mind some of the 2023 upgrades, but mine is paid for 😅

Happy Friday Joe! Ascent time!

Star Wars droids! Exactly! I noticed the resemblance right before you mentioned it. You even got the right movie (Ep. 1).

I hope they come up with wilderness edition?!!?😢

my family just got a 2021 subaru ascent and it’s really nice it surprisingly has more features than this new one which i’m very surprised by

Nice review, looks like a great car.

My daughter just purchased a 2022 and I am impressed with it.

I like the Subaru Ascent even though it doesn't have a V6 engine, full LED's a functional corner vents I feel like those things would've been a better addition.

That Eyesight seems intrusive. Im lookibg out the windshield and it beeps at you like youre not. I need a low-stress car. Does that still exist?

The heating and cooling functions can be operated with touch to talk on the steering wheel.

Needs some more "wow!" in the looks department. That steering (I've tried it) is too light for me. It felt like the steering wheel wasn't connected at all to the physical wheels! Strongly prefer either some bright metal trim around the wheel well openings or none. The black plastic (what is with the black cladding? what is it supposed to evoke?) just doesn't appeal to me.

I just saw one of these at the gas station. Didn't even recognize this model as I never heard of it.

How people are going to choose this over thr Telluride? I do not think so.

I was waiting for the Ascent Joe and I really like it. I think the Touring trim level might have a couple of more options. as for the old style bulbs in the turn signals I would probably swap them out with LED bulbs as I did with my 2015 ForesterXT Touring.

Can you review the new Subaru Legacy sport? Thanks for the video.

I like the analog gauges but not a fan of the climate control portions in the touch screen and that "on throttle" sounded like you were throttling up a small Cessna. Expected to see lift off like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Aw is Steven/Stephen a new member of the team!? Awesome sauce

Boston cream donuts earned you a sub! Haha!

Was wondering about the Ascent’s front and rear suspicion ?

As weird as it sounds I like the big and bulky look of this suv. I feel like cars with that suv look are missing aside from the Tahoe and expedition.

Not that bad for a Subaru Ascent Joe. I do like the changes that they made for 2023. Great job Stephen. The other 3 SUVs that I want to see for 2023 are: -GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate -Hyundai Palisade XRT -Lincoln Navigator

The 4 cyl engine is a show stopper for me. About the same power as the Telluride's 3.5 L V6, but the gas mileage is the same. I have a 2023 Telluride EX and I've been getting about 21.8 mpg in all around driving. I've got 26 mpg highway. More convenience features on my Telluride for less cost. I guess it would depend on how much the dealer adds to the price. My Kia dealer really wanted to add a lot of extra costs to my purchase.

The Subaru lobster claw tail lights on the Subaru Ascent and the Subaru Forester it also has the lobster claw tail lights. And also it be better if Subaru’s back up camera screen so that it would take up the whole screen instead of taking half of the screen.

I always liked Subaru's body design. They're visually appealing. All wheel drive is great. But I can't stand the fact that most of their vehicles have a CVT transmission. Could've been a 2.5 liter engine rather than a 2.4. At least the interior looks good. Subaru knows how to make a nice interior. Very safe vehicles too.

I would buy it Built in Lafayette, Indiana Give it a Huge Advantage over both Kia and Hyundai looks Very Aggressive too 😎

CVT maybe good for outback and forester.but it’s definitely not for a large SUV like ascent.

can we get a round up of cars/suv/trucks under 25k for the new year

We'd like to see it compared to the new 23 Honda Pilot. Please! is that comparison or the full review and test drive of the new Pilot coming? thanks..

In 2022 Telluride sold 100,000 and asent 64,000. In both design and performance, the Telluride is the winner. Wouldn't Kia guarantee 10 years because they are confident in quality? Things change!

I don't like the edges on the hood, they should turn down rather than end with the thin edge. Wheels are great. I like the chrome rather than aluminum all around the car. Overall I like the Ascent. Turbo is nice. I drove a Porsche for a while.

This will be my first SUV! Brilliant job Joe.

We are picking up our 2023 Ascent in the same exact spec in few weeks! 7 passenger, Limited with Tech in white. :) Hands down best bang for the buck when it comes to family vehicles! Great review as always! 🍺

No one does it better than you, Joe. Always a pleasure to watch your videos.

You wearing pants? Must be cold lol

Waiting on my 2023 Ascent Onyx limited

I like Subaru 👍 brand. This is my next vehicle. You are very detailed 👌 But can you talk about the steel frame and the steel bars in the door panels..I think that selling point can boost up the reliability of the safety if you were ever T Boned in this car. This car has saved many lives. That is why I am going to buy this vehicle 😍❤💯Good job Subaru 👏

I will consider this one if it had traditional automatic not a cvt. Pass !!! Great review

Like the engine, but not the CVT, nor the overall vehicle. If they made a Crosstrek STI with this engine, would be interested.

Love your comments but let's be real. What third row seat, in any suv, was meant to accommodate an adult?

CVT Transmissions are really, really great! For bicycles.

Still love my 2022 Ascent more. Snagged it for the physical buttons and knobs. Swapped out my 2020 Outback mainly for that big stupid screen and jumped on the Acent before it inherited that. It’s nice but not as good as the 8 inch. 8inches is def better than 11.7 😉

I agree with you about the CVT. Subaru is getting close to the Highlander with the Ascent, but still…

I own a 19 crosstrek, don’t pay much attention to the Acsent. First impressions kinda remind me of a bigger Forester.

Great review as always ! Subaru's reliability and quality are more important than Kia's additional features. On the plus side I like the look and functionality of the seats, integrated info system (with the exception of the silver framing ) and the fact this is no electromobile (thankfully). To live with a vehicle long term, styling is important to me. Most styling departments found a new fetish in the front corners. These here are somewhat reminiscent of a mutilated hammerhead shark (cancer maybe ?). 😃 The last few years front end could be called dead end (styling). I wish designers went back to evolution like Porsche does instead of trying to outdo each other.

Is it still louder than the Outback? Outback is quieter year after year it's one of the 10 quietest cars by US News now.

I think it looks more angeryer then it gets to it I think it was perfect I should live for people and I love your videos and I love the style

There's so much potential for the Ascent and other Subaru's if they'd move away from the CVT. I drive a 2021 Forester Sport, and as much as I love most things about it, the CVT drives me nuts. But, I'm digging the updated front facia on the '23 models

Subbie. Topgun #1. 😎

I expected a bit more of a comparison as you talk to One feature on the Subaru versus to Telluride. At the end you didn't give us your opinion on which one is the better car.