More than half of the vehicles on the road today are SUVs and there's more than one good reason why. SUVs are larger than your normal sedan, giving you extra passenger space and cargo volume. If you choose a three-row SUV like the new 2024 Subaru Ascent, you not only have room for up to 8 occupants, you also have a wealth of space for luggage, shopping bags, sporting equipment, and so much more. Another benefit to choosing an SUV is better handling; since they're heavier than sedans, you get better stability when driving on out of the way roads. The new 2024 Forester offers the rugged Wilderness model, with higher ground clearance and the capability to go off of the unbeaten path with ease. SUVs also offer better mileage, ground clearance, and towing capacity so you can take that weekend adventure and not worry about anything. At Nate Wade Subaru, we understand that choosing between all of the SUV options out there today can be a daunting task; even if you have it narrowed down to a specific brand, it can still be tough deciding which model is right for your needs. That's why we've put together this helpful comparison page, pitting the new 2024 three-row Ascent against its sibling, the rough and ready 2024 Subaru Forester crossover. Below, you'll take a deep dive into the specs and features of both models to see which one you want to park in your driveway. As always, feel free to contact Nate Wade Subaru with any questions.
The 2024 Ascent and the 2024 Forester both come with a standard 8.7-inch ground clearance, which is more than your average SUV and get you over obstacles that other vehicles couldn't. But if you're looking for the ultimate off-roading adventure, the Forester Wilderness has a standard 9.2-inch ground clearance for tackling the unknown. The Forester offers 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and the option to step up trim levels to 18-inch wheels, which are standard fare on the Ascent. When you climb trim levels on this bigger SUV, you'll net 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels for a sportier look. All season tires are standard fare on both vehicles but the Forester Wilderness comes with standard all-terrain tires to let you drive practically anywhere. LED Steering Responsive headlights are standard on both the Ascent and the Forester, while LED fog lights are available on the higher trim levels of both models. Only the Ascent offers available heated side mirrors and a glass panoramic moonroof. Raised roof rails are standard on the Ascent and available on the Forester, but the Forester Wilderness trim level offers roof rails that can hold a static capacity of up to 800 lbs.
When it comes to head- and legroom, the 2024 Ascent and 2024 Forester are comparable, even though the Ascent has three rows and almost 40% more passenger volume. The Forester offers 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded down while if you drop the back two seats in the Ascent, it gives you 75.6 cubic feet of room. You can seat up to 5 comfortably in the new Forester, while the standard seating configuration is 8 in the Ascent or you can choose the available second-row captain's chairs and change the setting to 7. Both SUVs offer available heated front and rear outboard seats as well as a heated steering wheel but only on the Ascent will you find available ventilated front seats. Higher trim levels of the Ascent and the Forester offer leather-trimmed upholstery and StarTex® water-resistant upholstery. You'll find the standard STARLINK Multimedia Plus system in both SUVs, but while the Forester has a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen display and an available 8-inch screen on higher trim levels, the Ascent starts with an 11.6-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration.
Both the 2024 Ascent and the 2024 Forester have the iconic BOXER® engine under the hood for the utmost in power and performance. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the Ascent makes a mighty 260 horsepower while the 2.3-liter powertrain generates a solid 182 horsepower. The Lineartronic® CVT transmission is standard on both models but only the Forester gives you the available option of a 7- or 8-speed manual mode. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard fare across the board as well as Active Torque Vectoring. X-MODE® is standard fare on the Ascent and available on higher Forester trim levels. While the Ascent offers 26 highway MPG, you'll see up to 33 MPG on the highway behind the wheel of the Forester.
When you choose Subaru, you get peace of mind every time you drive, knowing that your safety is the number one priority. While the IIHS has yet to rate the 2024 models, the 2024 Forester was named a Top Safety Pick while the 2024 Ascent was named a Top Safety Pick+. Both 2024 models were awarded a perfect 5-star overall safety rating by the NHTSA. The EyeSight® suite of driver assist technology is standard fare on both the Ascent and the Forester, offering features such as Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering, Sway Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. You'll find Pre-collision Braking and Lane Keep Assist only on the Ascent while Pre-collision Throttle Management is exclusive to the Forester.
The 2024 Subaru Ascent has a starting MSRP of only $34,195 and offers comfortable three-row seating for up to 8, a powerful BOXER® engine, and top-notch safety features. It's the ideal vehicle if you have a large family or a wealth of cargo to transport. If you're looking for something a bit smaller and more rugged, the 2024 Subaru Forester starts at an MSRP of just $27,095, offering you peak safety features, convenient connectivity, and the Wilderness trim level for those who take their driving to the next level. To see just how these SUVs handle, we encourage you to contact Nate Wade Subaru by phone or online and set up a test drive or two. We're looking forward to the opportunity to serve you.
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2024 Subaru Ascent | 2024 Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP* | $34,195 | $27,095 |
| Standard Horsepower | 260 | 182 |
| Standard Torque (lb-ft) | 277 | 176 |
| Max Tow Capacity | 5,000 lbs | 3,000 lbs |
| Standard Fuel Economy | 26 Highway / 20 City | 33 Highway / 26 City |
| Passenger Volume (Cubic Feet) | 153.2 | 111.6 |
| Max Cargo Volume (Cubic Feet) | 75.6 | 74.2 |
| LED Steering Responsive Headlights | Standard | Standard |
| Standard Wheels | 18-inch Aluminum-Alloy | 17-inch Aluminum-Alloy |
| Raised Roof Rails | Standard | Available |
*MSRP does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title, and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features, and models subject to change without notice. Select colors may be subject to an additional charge. See your retailer for more information.
