Which One: 2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Chevy Traverse on Everyman Driver

[@MrMoose-mf1oy]

I’d take the Subaru any day and not even think twice about it

[@davidjym]

Subaru for life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@jayczyzyk9707]

especially when build quality is very poor

[@matthewlocke9225]

I’m the opposite, Traverse all the way

[@johnscarpelli8382]

Going to test drive the Ascent this week.

[@auditts7818]

And....? Share your interests

[@benniewalker312]

I compared all the three row vehicles on sale in late 2018. I bought the Ascent. If I would have waited another 6 months I would have definitely have looked at the Kia Telluride/Hyundai Palisade. Love my Subie. In the 14 months I’ve owned it I’ve spent a grand total of $62.00 in maintenance costs. Couple niggles with the Harmon Karden Starlink early on. Did the CVT recall (reprogramming), never had an issue with the CVT but since the reprogramming it does seem to pull a lot firmer now. With any new vehicle, only time will tell how long they will lasts even with proper maintenance.

[@joeykush2345]

Worst decision I sell subies and the 2018s have nothing but problems in our shop

[@Lendingyourlight]

Both have had transmission issues so I would go for the Chevy because I love Country 😍😍😍

[@JuniorFan08]

My son and daughter-in-law have a 2019 Ascent. It is a very impressive vehicle. I have ridden in it a few times and am very impressed with the ride, room, turbo engine and CVT. I don't understand why people dislike the CVT so much, it is so smooth. I think it is because we have been conditioned to feel that a transmission must shift in a conventional manner and of course, the CVT doesn't.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you!

[@kellyaustin7487]

Its because the cvt has a horrible track record so lots of people are now very skeptical.

[@matthewlocke9225]

Yeah, my aunt has a Traverse and it’s sooo freaking nice! Drives like a dream

[@terrysinger7828]

Right now I am trying to decide between both cars. Tough choice!

[@jennskraftroom4809]

My 2018 Traverse has given me so many issues from not shifting to park to electronic issues to having breaks changed twice already ... looking into Subaru due to this ... thank god it’s only a lease! Concern is space difference between the both

[@davewilson7602]

I had an old traverse and now have an ascent, the space difference should be negligible unless you wanna put 4x8 sheets of plywood in either because they won’t fit in the ascent

[@anncroan8240]

Thanks! These are the two vehicles I’m trying to decide between! Great video!

[@patrickjohnson7801]

We to are looking at both of them but I think the Chevy traverse is the one for us .

[@themarineman]

Why did you chose traverse over the ascent? What were the decisive factors?

[@sowelltrain7342]

Subaru is still having problems with their CVT transmissions they put in larger vehicles. Look for yourself on the Ascent forums before you buy one. We owned an Outback and the $9200.00 out of warranty CVT time bomb went off on us. Lease or sell before 80k.

[@SuperZeeL1]

No car industry other than Subaru takes care of their customers better. Yes go into their forums by all means and see that only 1% had issues with the cvt and by that number, 80k vehicles produced. Not only that but Subaru recalled those vehicles with the trouble, repaired and/or replaced those vehicles. To add to that gesture, they not only took care of the problem but narrowed the findings down to only a small percentage batch of VINS with the issue...WAIT there's more!!! They also gave those like my own Ascent another extra 100k miles of drive train warranty!!! How do you like THEM apples now? ;-)

[@CHATO629]

I'll take the Traverse any day over the Subaru. You can't Replace the Room Space and Comfort on the Traverse with the Smaller Subaru.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@bikebudha01]

Yeah, but you'll have to 'replace' the chevy much sooner than the subaru...

[@michaelhand9769]

CLEARLY you never tried the ascent

[@CHATO629]

Have you seen the reports of all the Subaru's being recalled? Subaru is not a very reliable brand.

[@SuperZeeL1]

No car industry other than Subaru takes care of their customers better. Yes go into their forums by all means and see that only 1% had issues with the cvt and by that number, 80k vehicles produced. Not only that but Subaru recalled those vehicles with the trouble, repaired and/or replaced those vehicles. To add to that gesture, they not only took care of the problem but narrowed the findings down to only a small percentage batch of VINS with the issue...WAIT there's more!!! They also gave those like my own Ascent another extra 100k miles of drive train warranty!!! How do you like THEM apples now? ;-)

[@kellyaustin7487]

They both seem nice enough however I would rather own the traverse.

[@matthewlocke9225]

Kelly Austin same

[@jaemez3247]

Chevy over Subaru is a mistake. Subaru is by far a better vehicle underneath it all

[@mcwendel8066]

@@jaemez3247 definitely holds value over the chevy

[@Siwashable]

@@mcwendel8066 not around here... I have been looking at both used and the Traverse is pricey

[@raydavies3278]

So in your opinion which is the better ??? thats what we need to know.

[@itr0863]

i love captains chairs. i'm in the market for a used SUV with captains chairs. i'm leading towards a highlander.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@matthewlocke9225]

Hope you haven’t made your purchase yet! The Highlander is not as good as the Traverse, my aunt had a Highlander and now has a Traverse and she said it the Traverse is soooo much better

[@gregkiren178]

The traverse is by far the best vehicle for having three kid in car seats. With the second row bench you can fit three car seats across. I wouldn’t buy a Subaru due to the cvt transmission and turbocharged engine.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@apaulmuller503]

You reviews need to start including MPG and whether premium (high octane) fuel is recommended or required.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@mannyi]

7 trim level on Chevy?!?!

[@andrewhayden6448]

Can you actually tell us what you think, which is better and why? I can review the stats online. I want your opinion, recommendations. What’s the reliability like, servicing cost, customer support etc. In 10 years which will still be on the road....

[@azlife4me]

Good info. Thanks.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@Chernabog123]

Both seem nice. I do think Subaru has the best in class awd system. I am not sold on Chevy quality. I tend to drive my cars for as long as I can. Right now I have 2005 Pilot with 245,000 miles on it still going strong, with just wear and tear repairs. Not sure I get the same out of the Traverse. As for the Subaru, i'd have concerns about the longevity of the CVT transmission and the longevity of the Turbo. Both would be extremely high ticket items. I think I'd stick with Pilot or Highlander. Great review though.

[@bigpoppa1992]

I'll take the new Ford explorer but if i had to pick between these 2 I'd take the traverse. I don't trust a 4 cylinder with a cvt in a big suv especially when towing.

[@kastriotaliu4281]

Subaru's only problem is the CVT transmission,I wonder how they still put it on their new cars! other than that,the Subaru is very great bargain(if you get the manual btw)

[@kartboarder22g17]

The Ascent has a CVT for a large possibly towing vehicle, I wouldn't do it especially if planning on towing a FG boat etc.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@kartboarder22g17]

@@everymandriver By the way I do own a CVT Forester, I think it is fine for my daily commuting that is majority highway and great to have a great AWD system to get out of the mess I get myself stuck in when winter driving or if I get myself in a stuck position elswhere. When the Ascent came out I considered it when I need to make the next move to a larger vehicle due to family growing and need for a boat or other towing as hobbies and hopefully income increase. Yet now that I own a CVT and taking it on a road trip probably overloaded out to Washington State, no it isn't the right transmission for that situation. I understand Subaru has 2 CVTs, the first generation heavy duty CVT and the second generation more refined efficent CVT and both are used. When a turbo or 6 cylinder engine are used the gen 1 CVT are used(not including 2010-2014 Outbacks as that was the only CVT available for those). So I question why this same CVT is used in the Ascent and not a whole new version that is beefed up majorly. I think Subaru should add a single standard 1st clear that is clutched in on the end of both input and output pulley and that would give them the start moving reliability they need for towing a boat and off roading which many people are upset about due to the CVT now being used. Toyota is doing this and my understanding is they are owned heavily by Toyota so the should be able to work out any patent issues. Anyhow we'll see how these CVTs hold up in the next few years soon.

[@DJ-zl4fy]

I just bought the Ascent and starting having issue with CVT Transmission with 6k miles and left me hanging in the middle of the highway. Very disappointing, Subaru. Once my lease expired, this might be one of my list. Stay away with big body vehicle with 4 cylinder with turbo. I suggest 6 cylinders for this type body and without CVT Transmission.

[@gdsforever6202]

What trim level is that traverse?

[@MrHhmking]

The one in the video is a LS... basically the base model. I just bought a 2019 LT cloth...much bigger display, bigger tires, blind spot monitoring, foglamps, etc...

[@westcoast708]

Resale people counts also suburu can't be beat there .

[@7239Matteo]

Are the Ascents still having issue with the CVT?

[@stevedott715]

7239Matteo no.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@brianforman1516]

Not since they did a software update for the CVT, I never had an issuer but after the update it made it feel much better-more responsive.

[@terence4427]

@@everymandriver . You do realize 7239Matteo posed a question and not feedback - are you paying attention?

[@blackwhirlwind1245]

Ascent is my number 1pick among all the 3-row SUV, (Highlander, Pilot, Pathfinder, Ascent, CX9, Telluride, Palisade, Atlas, Traverse, Durango, Explorer, MDX, XC90)

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@apaulmuller503]

I wonder how efficiently and quickly the Ascent with 5 adults, and three kids would do passing another car going up hill on the interstate with its 4 cylinder engine.

[@Lendingyourlight]

I’ve owned Palisade and Pilot but I’m buying Chevy High Country

[@slandshark]

@@apaulmuller503 The Ascent has access to 100% of it's torque at 2k rpms. I bet it wouldn't even notice the added passenger weight. It's also one of the fastest 0 to 60 SUV's at 7 seconds. The Chevy Traverse is tiny bit slower at 7.1 seconds. The main difference is the Ascent is going to be using much lower RPM to achieve the same performance, which should put way less stress on the engine overall.

[@darcyhuber5986]

I have a 2019 Ascent w/ over 63k miles already. I want to get rid of it, in the shop all the time w/this and that. Alternator has been replaced and "goodwilled" by Subaru, and several months ago they paid for my amp to be replaced. It's fast and safe, but I want more room and better reliability so I'm considering '21 Traverse. The interior feels tight compared to my Highlander and It's not near as dependable as a Toyota, sorry Subaru, super disappointed.

[@Arnold_X3]

Ask Scotty about the Chevy's lol

[@AkioWasRight]

He hates the Subaru as well.

[@Hugo-py2ce]

Scotty is an idiot, just my opinion.

[@giovanni4436]

Scotty hates anything that isn't a Toyota.

[@checkers7166]

Scotty also hates the Subaru. He probably thinks the head gasket is bound to blow and the CVTs belt will fail and slip off and strangle him to death. Crazy old man.

[@everymandriver]

Who cares what Scotty says!?

[@rachelrasmussen1101]

Definitely the Subaru

[@anorveaa]

I test drove aaaaaall these cars several weeks ago. The Subaru ascent is the nicest vehicle, hands down. Three main reasons why I didn't buy the Ascent. 1) The car is VERY expensive, not including maintenance and repairs. 2) It has a CVT transmission. No thanks. 3) It has another four cylinder engine. Why can't Subaru use a normal automatic transmission and a six cylinder engine? I buy cars to own them for a long time so I need a reliable vehicle that will last me many years to come without issues. I have a 2007 Toyota Sienna with 170,000 and this beast is still rock solid. After learning about what a CVT transmission is and their life span I was really glad I didn't get the Ascent. The Traverse rides very nicely, I liked it too, but the visibility is REALLY POOR. Man you can't even see the front of the car. It is very badly designed and you can't see anything on the sides and behind. I felt really insecure driving this vehicle with all my family in it. I ended up buying the Kia Sedona which by the way Everyman Driver did an excellent youtube review on it. My 2020 Kia Sedona EX destroys the two cars above in almost every single aspect. Best vehicle I have ever purchased. Is not a "cool" looking SUV but I got a LOT for my money. The Kia Sedona has everything, elegance, performance, six cylinders, eight speed transmission which is fantastic, a massive amount of room and great comfort. I'm pretty sure Everyman Driver will agree with me :-)

[@tomanderson9789]

I drive a 2006 Lexus 400h with 270,000 miles on the original CVT transmission. Maybe you should give them a chance.

[@SuperZeeL1]

If you chose a Kia, very very soon the shop will see ya! ;-)

[@tigerfan8244]

Subaru hands down. I’ve driven the Traverse and it feels cheaper then the Ascent. Not particularly a CVT fan, but GM’s transmission suck. I prefer the interior and exterior styling of the Ascent as well. The Subaru will hold it’s value much better as well.

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@yogeshk8791]

Subaru ascent the best of the best .....

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@Frosty_coyote]

First

[@everymandriver]

Thank you for the feedback!