The Ascent fights against cutthroat three-row competitors.
The Traverse and Explorer are among the biggest in its class, although the Ford is available with a high-po or high-efficiency powertrain that the Subaru skips.
The Honda Pilot has family bona fides, but it’s relatively old.
The Kia Telluride is exceptional—it should be on every family’s shortlist to drive—but it’s hard to find.
The new Highlander is svelte, stylish, and efficient (in hybrid form) but lacks pizzazz.
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 2021 Subaru Ascent#7 in Large SUVs Get Your Price |  2021 Chevrolet Traverse#14 in Large SUVs Get Your Price |  2021 Honda Pilot#9 in Large SUVs Get Your Price |  2021 Kia Telluride#1 in Large SUVs Get Your Price |  2021 Toyota Highlander#3 in Large SUVs Get Your Price |  2020 Ford Explorer |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2021 Subaru Ascent scales the mountain of family needs for a three-row crossover. |
The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is a big family mover with an update on the way next year. |
The 2021 Honda Pilot does a solid impression of a minivan, minus the cultural baggage. |
The 2021 Kia Telluride earns our Best Car To Buy nod with its excellent features, warranty, space, and style. |
The 2021 Toyota Highlander learned new tricks to keep us entertained on the road, when we’re not asleep in the back anyway. |
The 2020 Ford Explorer rediscovers its capable, outdoorsy side without becoming trucklike in any other respect. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $32,295 | $29,800 | $32,550 | $32,190 | $35,085 | $32,765 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 20 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded H-4 | Gas V6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Standard SUV 4WD | Sport Utility Vehicles | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Standard SUV 2WD |
| Style Name | |||||
| 8-Passenger | FWD 4-Door L | LX 2WD | LX FWD | L FWD (GS) | Base RWD |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
| Transmission | |||||
| CVT w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2021 Subaru Ascent vs. 2021 Chevrolet Traverse | 2021 Subaru Ascent vs. 2021 Honda Pilot | 2021 Subaru Ascent vs. 2021 Kia Telluride | 2021 Subaru Ascent vs. 2021 Toyota Highlander | 2021 Subaru Ascent vs. 2020 Ford Explorer | |
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