Subaru Ascent vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2024 Subaru Ascent had a design that was both functional and practical, though it lacked a sophisticated or modern appearance. Subaru's designers had previously created appealing vehicles, but the Ascent's latest iteration featured some controversial styling choices, such as visually offensive tusks and a bold spear running across the grille into the headlights. Despite these design quirks, the Ascent's interior in the Premier trim was well-appointed with premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a surround-view camera. The panoramic sunroof, available from the Touring trim, added a touch of luxury, while the 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and navigation system enhanced the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt maintained a familiar look with slight styling changes, resembling a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The Bolt's design straddled the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV, with a tall and narrow stance that prioritized utility and interior space. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, but the Bolt offered ample storage options and a practical layout for everyday use.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. Its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) powered all four wheels through a standard all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring. The Ascent could tow up to 2,270 kilograms, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions. It excelled in urban environments, rural roads, and off-road trails, offering a rally car-like experience on winding gravel roads. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.4 on the highway, and it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension tuning.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. Its motor, borrowed from the Chevy Equinox EV, produced 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque, propelling the Bolt from 0 to 100 km/h in the low seven-second range. While not the fastest EV, the Bolt offered quick acceleration compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. One-pedal driving was available, and the Bolt's firm ride provided agility on curvy roads. With an estimated range of 422 kilometres on a full charge, the Bolt improved over previous models. Its charging speed increased to 150 kW, allowing for a quick recharge from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, offering practical features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Premier trim featured comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy loading of children and cargo. The Ascent's cargo space was generous, with up to 458 litres behind the third-row seat and a maximum of 2,140 litres with the second-row seats folded. The panoramic sunroof slightly reduced these measurements, but the Ascent remained a practical choice for families.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt provided an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and thigh support, and the flat floor reduced discomfort for centre-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 459 litres behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, enhancing versatility. While there was no frunk, the Bolt offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent came equipped with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included a navigation system and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. While the system worked well, the display washed out in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition system was subpar. Physical buttons and knobs controlled essential functions, and the Premier trim offered a surround-view camera and a digital rearview camera for added convenience.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and sharp graphics. The Bolt's navigation system helped locate charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging was also available, allowing the Bolt to serve as a backup power source.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was synonymous with safety, featuring a high-strength steel platform and the standard EyeSight collection of safety features. It received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all assessments except rollover resistance, where it earned four stars. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The EyeSight package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. However, the lane-centring assist technology was less impressive, occasionally causing steering issues. Blind-spot monitoring and other advanced features were available on higher trims.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not available at the time of writing, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, rain-sensing wipers, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs with such advanced technology.