2020 Subaru Ascent vs. 2020 Chevrolet Trax

Spacious and impressively well equipped, the 2020 Subaru Ascent is the largest three-row crossover in the latest Subaru’s Lineup. Incredibly safe with a likable powertrain, it’s unquestionable that the Ascent is an all-rounded vehicle for families big or small. It brings forth a muscular image, designed with a tall hood and huge wheel flares that fits in closely with Subaru’s family design cues.

The 2020 Chevrolet Trax is a small-sized SUV and is one of the least compelling in the subcompact class of SUV. It is comfortable, subtly spacious but not as large compared to the Ascent. It comes with a healthy load of interior features but has a weaker engine that delivers slow acceleration and chintzy cabin materials that are suited for non-fussy drivers.

Design & Style

A first look on the interior of the 2020 Subaru Ascent and you will find a lovely cabin fitted with a three-row seating position. Faux wood interior trims and metal accents, with leather upholstery throughout the cabin gives it a premium feel. Solid and well built, the Ascent has so much space that it provides ample leg rooms and its high roof benefits large families with extreme comfortability. A pleasant driving experience is what you will get when commuting on a road trip.

Get behind the wheel of the Trax’s cabin and you will find an expansive headroom with a high seating position that gives it an airy and spacious feel. However, it has lesser rear-seat room and a smaller cargo space as compared to the Ascent. Fitted with cheap control buttons and low-grade plastics materials, the Trax isn’t top of the line. If you require a larger cargo space to fit bulky items, the rear seats aren’t as easy to fold like they are in other SUVs and crossovers.

Technology & Safety

Fitted with top of the line Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, the Ascent has an 8-inch touchscreen that is equipped with clean functions and modern graphics. Compatible with smartphones, the Ascent has built-in Siri Function, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It is also installed with multiple USB charging ports in every row of seats. Safety is one of the top priorities in Subaru’s automaker’s core values. The Subaru Ascent is engineered for exceptional protection to prevent collisions. A comprehensive array of safety features such as a forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control are all fitted within the Ascent.

The Trax is installed with a well-integrated touchscreen that is mounted on top of the dashboard. The 7.0-inch touchscreen which is smaller than the Ascent has all the basic functions and smartphone integration capabilities. Standard applications such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions can all be found in the infotainment system. The Chevrolet Trax lags in safety features as well. The available basic features on it are the forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

Performance

The 2020 Subaru Ascent is a 2.4-liter all-wheel drive vehicle that unloads a great amount of power which is genuinely excellent. The box engine of the Subaru Ascent feels punchier when it unleashes that 256 horsepower on the highway. It’s quick to accelerate off the line and provides a smooth ride over potholes and rough bumps. Lugging a speedboat or a mini trailer would do just fine as the Ascent can tow about 5,000 pounds.

With only one engine that Chevrolet has to offer on a Trax, it is not a great one though. A turbocharged 1.4 liter that produces only 138 horsepower is relatively slow. When you push the acceleration on the highway, you will find more noise and vibration when the engine runs out of steam. Its sluggish shifts on the automatic six-speed gearbox make it sometimes reluctant to downshift while you are coming to a traffic stop. Due to its tall stature, the handling on the Trax isn’t as precise and responsive.

The Bottom Line

The 2020 Subaru Ascent is the chief among the all-wheel-drive vehicles. Nicely weighted, precision handling, great cabin, fuel-efficient and amazing suspension over bumps, the Ascent is more enjoyable to drive during a road trip. This latest incarnation of a family-size crossover is unquestionably far more appealing and value for money than most of its rivals. Do not be surprised when you start seeing more and more Ascent on the roads and highways this year.

The 2020 Chevrolet Trax provides a combination of fuel-efficient, cabin space, and power that is worse than the 2020 Subaru Ascent. Underperforming in highway, rough handling and bumpy rides are not exactly what you want when you are planning for road trips. The Chevrolet Trax provides only the necessities of a small-sized SUV.

Ready to Schedule Your 2020 Subaru Ascent Test Drive Today?

Do you want to learn more about the wide range of Subaru cars that we offer? Just visit us at Competition Subaru to learn more! Our dedicated team of sales professionals is waiting to serve your automotive needs. Call us right away and book your 2020 Subaru Ascent test drive or walk-in at our dealership today!