2022 Subaru Ascent vs. 2022 Kia Serento
The 2022 Subaru Ascent and the 2022 Kia Serento are two of the most popular vehicles in their respective categories. Both manufacturers have a history of building dependable and capable SUVs, so they’re worth considering if you’re in the market for a new vehicle. But which one is right for you? We’ll explore that question below as we compare these two vehicles on everything from safety features to off-road capability.
Design & Style
- Exterior Design
The 2022 Subaru Ascent is a midsize SUV that offers seating for up to seven passengers, making it a great option for families. The vehicle has a sleek appearance with thin lights on the front grill and sculpted side mirrors that give the car an aerodynamic look.
The 2022 Kia Serento is a midsize crossover vehicle that offers seating for up to five passengers, making it perfect for young families or couples looking to travel in style. The exterior of this car features rounded headlights and foglights while its rear end boasts a spoiler on top of its blacked out bumper.
- Interior Design
The Subaru Ascent is a larger, more expensive model than the Kia Serento. The Ascent’s interior is designed with the comfort of its passengers in mind. The Serento has a more utilitarian design that focuses on functionality over luxury and appointments.
The interior of the Subaru Ascent features many useful storage spaces, including front-door pockets that can hold small items such as sunglasses, smartphones or keys; an armrest pocket between the front seats; cup holders between each pair of rear seats; door bins under their respective doors; and storage bins under both front seats (the left one is smaller so you’ll need to be selective about what goes there). There are also rear cargo cover hooks on each side panel behind either row of seats.
Technology & Safety
The Subaru Ascent’s standard infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two smartphone integration technologies that make it easy for you to use your phone’s apps on your car’s touchscreen display. A higher trim level adds an optional navigation system with voice control and support for Amazon Alexa smart home devices like the Echo Dot or Fire TV Stick (this feature is not available in all regions).
The Kia Serento has a couple of optional features that increase its safety capability, like intelligent cruise control and lane keep assist, but it lacks some important safety features, such as automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control.
Performance
Both models are available with either a 2.4-litre or 3.5-liter engine, capable of producing around 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Sorento’s 2.4L is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Ascent’s 3.5L gets an 8-speed automatic transmission instead (the same type found in Subarus).
The Bottom Line
We’re still unsure what to make of the Ascent, but that doesn’t matter. It’s a good car overall and a great option for those who want something different in their lineup. The Ascent is comfortable, stylish and capable of hauling all your stuff—but without the bulkiness of an SUV or minivan. The Serento is also more than capable on paper: it has more space than most other vehicles in its class, great fuel economy and plenty of tech features to keep passengers entertained (if they can get past the strange design).
But when you look at the whole picture, we think the Subaru has the advantage here. You’ll be able to get more out of your vehicle with fewer compromises by choosing this one over Kia’s offering.
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