2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent embraced the trend of blacking out shiny exterior trim with its new Onyx Edition trim level. Positioned in the middle of the Ascent lineup, this edition featured blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The Onyx Edition's sporty appearance was a departure from the Ascent's previous styling, and it was priced at $44,995, excluding the destination fee. Inside, the Ascent Onyx Edition offered a gray two-tone StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, which was water-repellant but had a tendency to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable option. The interior also featured metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels, creating a modern and sporty atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was described as "modernist" and "reductive," emphasizing clean and simple design. While it offered limited flashy options, such as Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels, the Range Rover Sport exuded understated luxury. Our test vehicle, finished in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, showcased a Deep Garnet over Ebony interior theme with aluminum and shiny black trim. The Range Rover Sport's design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights. Inside, it featured a luxurious and high-tech appearance with Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, creating an opulent and refined cabin environment.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent's fuel consumption was rated at 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and it achieved a towing capacity of up to 2,270 kilograms. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, providing brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 22 centimetres of ground clearance enhanced its off-roading capabilities. While the Ascent demonstrated nimbleness and maneuverability in urban settings, its lane-keeping and lane-centring assistance technologies could create an uncertain driving experience.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. The Range Rover Sport's fuel efficiency averaged 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres, with a suburban highway drive returning 9.4 L/100 km. The SUV's adaptive damping air suspension and Dynamic driving mode contributed to its refined ride and handling. However, the Range Rover Sport's steering lacked involvement, and its Dynamic mode exhibited lash and clunking from the drivetrain. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with its advanced suspension and impressive ground clearance, making it a formidable off-roader.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent accommodated up to eight passengers, with the third row best suited for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured a comfortable driving position, water-resistant seat material, and amenities like triple-zone climate control and heated front seats. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors, and captain's chairs were available on most trims. The Ascent offered ample storage, including a dashboard shelf and deep cupholders. Cargo space measured 458 litres behind the third row, 1,193 litres behind the second row, and 2,061 litres with both rows folded.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, providing a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats offered 20-way power adjustment with heating and ventilation. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, and narrow door openings hindered access. The cargo area provided 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport featured a power liftgate, and controls in the trunk allowed for easy loading and seat adjustment.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Touring trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. While the system was user-friendly, its voice recognition technology needed improvement. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, and the Harman Kardon premium sound system was not available for this trim. Additional technology features included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera on the Premier trim.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Range Rover Sport featured impressive Meridian audio systems, Active Noise Cancellation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Despite its advanced technology, the system's digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding nearby locations.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. It came standard with EyeSight driver-assist technology, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and its adaptive cruise control lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist technology were less responsive and smooth than expected, and the steering assist struggled with poorly marked lanes. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself using a smartphone app.