Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot All-Terrain Performance
Subaru and Honda are both known for being environmentally conscious, and that shines through in the fuel economy for the Ascent and Pilot. They each get up to an EPA-estimated 27 MPG highway when properly equipped.
When it comes to city driving, however, the 2020 Subaru Ascent has the advantage with up to an EPA-estimated 21 MPG city. The Honda Pilot only gets up to an EPA-estimated 19 MPG city.
When your family adventures take you over hills and through snow or sand, Subaru has you covered with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for the Ascent. All-wheel drive is only available as an upgrade on the Honda Pilot, which otherwise comes standard with two-wheel drive.
The Ascent also comes standard with X-MODE®, a driving system that optimizes engine, transmission, and all-wheel drive performance to provide more traction on slippery surfaces. It also works to improve control on steep hills.
The Honda Pilot offers something similar: Intelligent Traction Management, a system designed to enhance handling on various surfaces. However, like the all-wheel-drive system, this performance feature is only available as an upgrade.
Cargo Capacity and Utility
If you're looking to tow a trailer or a small RV for your next trip, you're in luck! The 2020 Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Plus, both SUVs offer tons of space for all the cargo you need for the road ahead.
The Ascent also comes standard with raised roof rails for all trim levels. Whether you choose the base trim or the one with all the bells and whistles, you can secure your bike, kayak, or rooftop container with all your family's extra cargo to any Ascent with ease. The Honda Pilot only offers roof rails for a few of its trim levels.
If you're looking to take your adventure off road, the Ascent can help with that, too! With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, you'll have more peace of mind in the Subaru as you travel through rocky terrain and bumpy trails.
By comparison, the Pilot only has 7.3 inches of ground clearance, which means it may not be able to get through rocky roads as well as the Ascent.
Comfort & Safety
Both the Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot offer seating for seven or eight passengers, and they each have available second-row captain's chairs for a more comfortable ride. However, the Ascent provides slightly more room for your passengers to spread out with a standard passenger volume of 153.5 cubic feet. The Pilot, on the other hand, offers up to 152.9 cubic feet of standard passenger space.
When it comes to safety, these SUVs definitely have a few things in common. For example, they both received a 5-star Overall Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so they're sure to keep you and your family safe as you drive around the Garden State.
You'll also find a wide array of standard driver-assist technologies, such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Pre-Collision Braking in both the Ascent and the Pilot. However, the Subaru Ascent offers some additional safety features not found in the Pilot, including available LED Steering Responsive Headlights, to help you see around dark turns.
It also comes with an available 180-degree front-view monitor, so you can get a closer look at what's in front of you when you're parking the car.
2020 Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot: Which will you Choose?
In our comparison between the 2020 Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot, we've found that the Ascent offers more for your family's adventures, from safety features to all-weather performance capabilities.
When you're ready to see for yourself how the Subaru Ascent drives through the streets of Bloomfield, Newark, and Clifton, contact Lynnes Subaru to schedule a test drive.