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Traded the Outback in on the 30th for a 2023 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition. Has 42k miles on it, more than we really wanted but it had everything else we wanted and was in great condition. Better than the similarly aged and milage Explorer XLT Sports we were also looking at. We don't particularly care for the 20" wheels so they'll probably go when it needs tires in the next year or so.

PXL_20251231_003547434 by christobal65, on Flickr

Had to clean out and rearrange some stuff in the garage since it's 7" longer than the outback was, but got it in the garage yesterday...

PXL_20260101_001623000 by christobal65, on Flickr

PXL_20260101_001612676 by christobal65, on Flickr

That's....chonky.

Yeah they definitely appear thicc, but surprisingly they're among the smallest in their class. They're like 3-4in narrower and 5 in shorter than an explorer of similar year. Which is what we were mainly cross shopping it with

Good engine at least lol

Thinking about ordering these...
https://lpaventure.com/collections/asce ... atte-black

I prefer these but the others are an easier sell to Jen.
https://lpaventure.com/collections/asce ... atte-black

Nothing like a new car. Bet the Mrs. is happy.

Agree the wheels are a little odd.

Yeah I don't understand why Subaru chose to put 20s on a vehicle trim that's basically Wilderness 'light'

Chris GTO TT wrote: ↑Mon Jan 05, 2026 4:36 pm Yeah I don't understand why Subaru chose to put 20s on a vehicle trim that's basically Wilderness 'light'

Because they know the majority of people who buy an Ascent aren't ever going to take it off road.

Same goes for wilderness Subarus

Picked up some wheels and boring tires. It is like 15+lbs per corner lighter. Should pickup some mpgs. It also rides and drives better too. Had then installed today...


PXL_20260601_234535406.MP by christobal65, on Flickr


PXL_20260601_234523105 by christobal65, on Flickr


PXL_20260601_234515265 by christobal65, on Flickr

Looks good. I like it.

Nice visual and weight improvement.

PS. I spy a new Santa Fe next door.

Thanks. I would have preferred a soft-roader tire for looks but for what we do and our weather these Continental tires will be perfect. Function over form especially for our most driven vehicle.

Any update on this? How you liking it?


Coop

Overall we like it. We were used to the Subaru CVT so it's not a big issue for us (I'd still prefer a standard automatic but I don't hate the CVT). Our biggest complaint is the MPG is significantly worse than we we expecting. We were seeing as low as 13 mpg with a lot of in town driving, and on the highway we 'only' saw 23ish mpg. We were expecting 18 and 26-27 based on our experience renting one from Turo a couple years ago. We ended up buying this over an Explorer XLT Sport because its touch points just felt better too us. We also appreciate Subaru's safety records and generally you get more features at a lower cost than similar competitors.

I’m surprised it made that big of difference as well.


Coop

must be enjoying those turbo feels.

Wow, thats a big dig in MPG.

vr4 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:28 pm must be enjoying those turbo feels.

That was my initial thought but even I get those kinds of mpg out of it. The new wheels and tires seem to have helped a decent amount, we're getting an alignment done on Friday, and after that I'll be taking it to Subaru if it's still that terrible.

ChargerX3 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:33 pm Wow, thats a big dig in MPG.

Yeah it's to the point where we've contemplated getting rid of it already. We both feel like if we were willing to accept 13-15mpg there's a whole lot of more capable vehicles we would have looked at more closely.

Yea...a turbocharged, or supercharged car gets that king of MPG. I mean my Hellcat gets 12mpg ripping city streets. lol.

Better off getting the sports car you want for that.