Subaru Ascent vs The Competition
Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot
If you're shopping for a three-row SUV that can handle school drop-offs, road trips and Connecticut weather, you may be asking:
- Is the Subaru Ascent better than the Honda Pilot?
- How does the Ascent compare to the Honda Pilot on all-wheel drive and ground clearance?
- Ascent vs. Pilot: which three-row SUV starts at a lower price?
Here's the answer: the Subaru Ascent gives you a lower starting price[1], standard all-wheel drive and more ground clearance[2] than the Honda Pilot, with EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology standard on every trim.
At Subaru Stamford, we've lined up the Ascent against the Honda Pilot so you can see what each three-row SUV offers before you test drive.
Starting MSRP Comparison [1]
Subaru Ascent Premium:
$40,795
Honda Pilot Sport:
$42,395
Standard All-Wheel Drive [2]
Subaru Ascent:
Standard on Every Trim
Honda Pilot Sport & EX-L:
AWD Available
Why it matters: The Ascent starts below the Honda Pilot and includes Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive from the very first trim, so more of what families want is already in the starting price.
Proven Reliability & Long-Term Value
A three-row SUV is a commitment for years of carpools and road trips. Here's where Subaru's track record and recognition stand out.
Still on the Road [4]
Subaru Vehicles:
96% of Those Sold in 10 Years
Consumer Reports Recognition [4]
Subaru Ascent:
Recommended Model
Subaru:
Best Overall Automotive Brand
IIHS Recognition [4]
Subaru Ascent:
Top Safety Pick+
Subaru reports that 96% of its vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today, a long-term record built across the whole lineup.
Capability Advantage: Ready for the Road Ahead
Ground Clearance [2]
Subaru Ascent:
8.7 Inches
Honda Pilot (Most Trims):
Honda Pilot TrailSport:
7.3 Inches
8.3 Inches
Max Towing Capacity [2]
Subaru Ascent (All Trims):
5,000 lbs.
Honda Pilot (AWD):
Honda Pilot (FWD):
5,000 lbs.
3,500 lbs.
Peak Torque [3]
Subaru Ascent:
277 lb-ft
Honda Pilot:
262 lb-ft
Three-Row Seating
Subaru Ascent:
7 or 8 Passengers
Honda Pilot:
7 or 8 Passengers
Why it matters: Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance[2] and X-MODE with Hill Descent Control help the Ascent take on snow, dirt roads and steep driveways, while up to 5,000 pounds of towing[2] covers the trailer or boat.
Room for the Whole Family
Seating for seven or eight, up to 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space[3] plus underfloor storage, and up to 153.2 cubic feet of passenger volume give the Ascent room for family and gear. An 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, 19 cup and bottle holders, heated front seats and a Power Rear Gate come standard on Premium.
Advanced Safety: Confidence Comes Standard
Standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology
Every Ascent trim includes EyeSight with Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Automatic Emergency Steering, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering and Emergency Stop Assist, so the essentials are already included.
All-Around Awareness
Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Reverse Automatic Braking come on every Ascent, helping you stay aware in busy Stamford traffic and crowded parking lots.
Surround View & Driver Monitoring
On Limited and above, the 360-degree Surround View Monitor and DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation add another layer of awareness around a vehicle full of family.
Ascent vs. Honda Pilot: Common Questions
Yes. Every Ascent trim includes standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-MODE and Hill Descent Control. On the Honda Pilot, all-wheel drive is available on the Sport and EX-L trims and standard on the TrailSport, Touring, Elite and Black Edition.[2]
The Ascent Premium starts at $40,795 MSRP, about $1,600 below the $42,395 starting MSRP Honda lists for the Pilot Sport, which has front-wheel drive as standard. Both figures exclude destination and delivery, taxes, title and registration, so ask Subaru Stamford for the full details on any model.[1]
The Ascent is listed with 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Honda lists the Pilot at 7.3 inches on most trims and 8.3 inches on the TrailSport.[2]
The Ascent is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, the most of any Subaru, and every trim has standard all-wheel drive. Honda lists the Pilot at 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive and 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive. Towing requires proper equipment.[2]
The Ascent's turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer engine makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Pilot's 3.5-liter V6 makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft, so the Pilot has the higher peak horsepower and the Ascent has more torque. A test drive is the best way to feel the difference.[3]
Yes. EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard on every Ascent, along with Blind-Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Reverse Automatic Braking. The Honda Pilot includes its own Honda Sensing suite, so compare both in person at Subaru Stamford.
The Ascent seats seven or eight, depending on trim and second-row configuration, and Subaru lists up to 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space plus underfloor storage. Each brand measures cargo differently, so bring your family's gear to a test drive and see how it fits.[3]
I love Subaru of Stamford! Been working with them for years and have tried other locations and have always come back to them. The staff is friendly and super helpful. I know my car is in great hands when I get it serviced.
— Julie T. | Google Review
Test Drive the Subaru Ascent
If you're comparing:
- Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot
- Ascent vs Pilot ground clearance
- 3-row SUV with standard all-wheel drive in Stamford, CT
- Family SUV for Stamford, CT winters and road trips
[1] MSRP does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title, and registration fees. Destination and delivery is $1,495 for the Subaru Ascent and $1,595 for the Honda Pilot per each manufacturer, and Subaru notes it may vary in some states, including Connecticut. Subaru Ascent pricing reflects the published starting MSRP of the Premium trim; Honda Pilot pricing reflects the published starting MSRP of the Sport trim, which has front-wheel drive as standard. Prices, specifications, options, features, and models subject to change without notice. See your retailer for more information.
[2] Honda Pilot drivetrain, ground clearance and towing details are per Honda's published specifications and vary by trim and equipment. Pilot ground clearance is shown unladen: 7.3 inches on most trims and 8.3 inches on the TrailSport. Pilot towing is 5,000 lbs. with all-wheel drive and 3,500 lbs. with front-wheel drive. Ascent towing is up to 5,000 lbs. Towing requires proper equipment.
[3] Engine and cargo figures are manufacturer-published. The Ascent's 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is rated at 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque; the Honda Pilot's 3.5-liter V6 is rated at 285 hp and 262 lb-ft. Cargo volume is measured differently by each brand, so cargo is not compared on this page.
[4] Per Subaru of America's published information, including the claim that 96% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road, and recognition from Consumer Reports and the IIHS. Awards apply to specific model years and test criteria, so check cr.org and iihs.org for current ratings. Individual results may vary.
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Subaru Stamford
198 Baxter Ave
Stamford, CT 06902
- Sales: (203) 252-2222
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