2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a larger Subaru Forester, was designed with practicality and utility in mind. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for a robust appearance. The Ascent came with 20-inch aluminum wheels on most trims, while the base model had 18-inch wheels. The Touring trim, priced at $45,045, included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim. The test vehicle, with additional third-row USB ports, totaled $46,285. The Abyss Blue Pearl paint and Java Brown leather interior added a stylish touch, making the interior feel upscale and worth the investment. CarGurus recommended the Premium trim with additional packages for a similar look and comfort at a lower price.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained the fresh styling and improved interior storage introduced in 2020. It featured "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, and unique LED fog lights and rear bumper. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid had different trim and instrumentation to display battery status and power distribution. The steering wheel paddles managed regenerative braking. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard AWD, the CR-V Hybrid ranged from $30,560 to $36,350. The Touring trim, tested at $37,920, included Platinum White Pearl paint and Ivory leather, though the fake wood trim was a downside. Despite no further upgrades, the CR-V Hybrid's interior offered a rich two-tone contrast and ample comfort.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and AWD. It provided good acceleration but was thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg on the test loop, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not sporty, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled on undulating roads. The CVT's behavior was inconsistent, causing uneven power delivery. The shifter felt cheap, especially when parked on a hill. However, the Ascent excelled on smooth freeways and off-road, thanks to its AWD system, X-Mode, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor, producing 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selected based on the situation, plus three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight improved its center of gravity and weight distribution, retaining 8.2 inches of ground clearance. It was quick off the line, handled predictably, and rode nicely, though it averaged 33.7 mpg on the test route, below the EPA rating of 38 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid's driving dynamics were enjoyable, but its fuel economy fell short compared to competitors like the RAV4 Hybrid.

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 had 10-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Ascent's interior featured a useful dashboard shelf, ambient lighting, and ample storage. Second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, with heated cushions, window shades, and USB ports. The third row was accessible and suitable for short trips. Cargo space was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. The front seats were supportive, with the driver's seat offering 12-way power adjustment and heated cushions. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat provided ample legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports, accommodating three passengers comfortably. Cargo space was 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, reduced from the standard CR-V due to the battery pack, and 68.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite the reduction, the CR-V Hybrid's cargo area was practical and spacious.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured the Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security services. The Touring trim included a high-resolution screen and navigation. The system had stereo knobs and separate climate controls but lacked advanced voice recognition. The navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle's location. The Harman Kardon speakers provided excellent sound, and USB ports were available in all three rows. The Ascent also offered a 180-degree front camera, a 180-degree rear camera, and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a 7-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. The system was slow to start, and voice recognition was limited. It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text messaging, SiriusXM, and Pandora. The Touring trim included wireless smartphone charging, though it occupied significant console space. The nine-speaker premium audio system sounded good, but the HondaLink connected services were minimal.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight, Subaru's ADAS suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected alerts onto the windshield. The Ascent also had a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, with a Security Plus upgrade offering remote engine start and other features.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, it lacked automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and teen driver settings.