VW Atlas Vs Subaru Ascent

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Pashi266

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 30, 2018

kenay said:
The Atlas SEL Premium is a great car

Thanks, but I would like to know more details.
I currently own VW Passat SEL premium only, but would like to hear more from who actually compared the Atlas with it's competitors. Of course, no one owns or drove the Ascent, but at least the findings after their research.

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VNeBLOB42

· #4 · Apr 30, 2018

@Pashi266 I did as much research as I could before going with the Atlas. To be honest, if the Ascent was available to test drive, I think it would be very hard choice. But since we didn't want to wait, we went with the Atlas.

Things to consider,

Atlas 6yr 72,000 bumper to bumper vs. Ascent 3 yr 36,000. (-1 for Ascent)
(See my spread sheet. May not apply to you but its worth taking a look)

Atlas 6 passengers vs. Ascent 7 passengers (both W/ captains) (+1 for Ascent)

Atlas N/A vs Ascent DI Turbo (+- neutral)

Atlas 23 hwy vs. Ascent 27 hwy (+1 for Ascent)

Atlas has a bit more cargo volume vs. the Ascent (-1 for Ascent)

I don't believe the Ascent has the Surround Vision? I know it has the front and rear cameras, not sure about the side cameras. (-1 for Ascent)

Overall very comparable, plus you get the Trusted Subaru quality and resale (+1 for Ascent).

But again, wasn't able to test drive it. I hear the 1st round is already pre-ordered so the next delivery is early Fall. (-1 for Ascent)

Hope this helps.

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Pashi266

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 1, 2018

VNeBLOB42 said:
@Pashi266 I did as much research as I could before going with the Atlas. To be honest, if the Ascent was available to test drive, I think it would be very hard choice. But since we didn't want to wait, we went with the Atlas.

Things to consider,

Atlas 6yr 72,000 bumper to bumper vs. Ascent 3 yr 36,000. (-1 for Ascent)
(See my spread sheet. May not apply to you but its worth taking a look)

Atlas 6 passengers vs. Ascent 7 passengers (both W/ captains) (+1 for Ascent)

Atlas N/A vs Ascent DI Turbo (+- neutral)

Atlas 23 hwy vs. Ascent 27 hwy (+1 for Ascent)

Atlas has a bit more cargo volume vs. the Ascent (-1 for Ascent)

I don't believe the Ascent has the Surround Vision? I know it has the front and rear cameras, not sure about the side cameras. (-1 for Ascent)

Overall very comparable, plus you get the Trusted Subaru quality and resale (+1 for Ascent).

But again, wasn't able to test drive it. I hear the 1st round is already pre-ordered so the next delivery is early Fall. (-1 for Ascent)

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply VNeBLOB42!!

I totally agree on the warranty part, but as you mentioned trusted Subaru quality and resale should be considered.
Yes, Ascent doesn't have the surround vision camera...but that won't be available in SEL either. Need to go for premium for that. Also, you don't get the heated steering wheel on SEL, but with Limited trim Ascent you do.
Also, on your sheet - Ascent has the second row heated seats from Limited and you get 2 years or 4 visits free maintenance (just to clarify)

My Passat buy back is until September, so I should be able to test drive the Ascent and make a decision (I already preordered for the Limited Ascent, it's totally refundable deposit and I can not buy it if I don't like it)

Here are my thoughts on Ascent which Atlas doesn't have (Atlas SEL Vs Ascent Limited with upgraded package)
Standard AWD (no need to pay extra)
Boxer engine (I never owned any subaru before, but it got to be good)
Heated steering wheel
Heated second row
Leather upholstery (I think SEL has leatherette only)
Premium audio (14 speaker Harmon Kardon with upgraded package)
20" premium alloy wheels
Gas mileage (Atlas totally lost here)
Adaptive steering head lights with high beam assist

Also, I got 5k discount on my Ascent pre-order. I think thats a very good deal for a car not even released yet :wink2:

Again, those are my thoughts and I still need to test drive once it released and then I would make a decision.

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VNeBLOB42

· #6 · May 2, 2018

Pashi266 said:
Thanks for the reply VNeBLOB42!!

I totally agree on the warranty part, but as you mentioned trusted Subaru quality and resale should be considered.
Yes, Ascent doesn't have the surround vision camera...but that won't be available in SEL either. Need to go for premium for that. Also, you don't get the heated steering wheel on SEL, but with Limited trim Ascent you do.
Also, on your sheet - Ascent has the second row heated seats from Limited and you get 2 years or 4 visits free maintenance (just to clarify)

My Passat buy back is until September, so I should be able to test drive the Ascent and make a decision (I already preordered for the Limited Ascent, it's totally refundable deposit and I can not buy it if I don't like it)

Here are my thoughts on Ascent which Atlas doesn't have (Atlas SEL Vs Ascent Limited with upgraded package)
Standard AWD (no need to pay extra)
Boxer engine (I never owned any subaru before, but it got to be good)
Heated steering wheel
Heated second row
Leather upholstery (I think SEL has leatherette only)
Premium audio (14 speaker Harmon Kardon with upgraded package)
20" premium alloy wheels
Gas mileage (Atlas totally lost here)
Adaptive steering head lights with high beam assist

Also, I got 5k discount on my Ascent pre-order. I think thats a very good deal for a car not even released yet :wink2:

Again, those are my thoughts and I still need to test drive once it released and then I would make a decision.

interesting, So seeing the Atlas SEL doesn't quite match up to the equal package of the Ascent Limited. Looking like you are getting quite a deal with the pre-order, so it may be down to looks and handling.

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Pashi266

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 3, 2018

VNeBLOB42 said:
interesting, So seeing the Atlas SEL doesn't quite match up to the equal package of the Ascent Limited. Looking like you are getting quite a deal with the pre-order, so it may be down to looks and handling.

Yeah, that's a very good deal and yes VW Atlas looks much better than Ascent. Subaru makes bold vehicles (I would vote Ascent the second best looking Subaru other than WRX), but I'm sure they are very good at handling.
I test drove the Atlas while ago and I didn't complain at that time other than the missing things. But, I realized lately that Atlas steering has very less feedback. I didn't think about it in the beginning, but later thought for a vehicle that size it should feel like a truck. Again, this is just IMO

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jayin0507

· #8 · May 4, 2018

I made myself a comparison chart before I bought my Atlas cause i was deciding on either the Accent or Atlas as well. Hopes this helps.

i don't know how much the optional stuff is for the Accent so it could come to be the same price or not.

To me the Accent looked more like an oversized Outback which swayed me towards the Atlas more.

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jayin0507

· #9 · May 4, 2018

Not sure if my upload loaded trying again.

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Pashi266

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 7, 2018

jayin0507 said:
To me the Accent looked more like an oversized Outback which swayed me towards the Atlas more.

Thanks for the comparison chart and I totally agree with Ascent looks like a over sized outback and Atlas wins on the looks for sure.

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newby001

· #11 · Jun 1, 2018

Check out transmission

Pashi266 said:
I'm currently in shop for 7 seater SUV and it's kinda tied between Atlas and Ascent which is yet to hit the dealers in July.
Would love to hear from the folks here who mostly into VW family.

I understand that the Ascent will have a CVT transmission. After having CVT transmission experience in 2015 QX60, I moved to 2018 V6 Atlas with 4 Motion. I found the CVT transmission to be like in a single gear and could not "feel" acceleration upshifting or braking through downshifting of the transmission. With the Atlas I can trigger upshifts by letting up on the gas when accelerating or during stopping you can slightly feel the transmission downshifting and engine braking. The CVT felt a lot like freewheeling to me when coming to a stop so there was a need to use the brakes more. At 25,000 miles on the QX60, it is due for a brake job now. A QX60 is an Infinity badge on a Nissan Pathfinder.

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https://www.torquenews.com/1084/new-subaru-ascent-recalled-major-structural-defects

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biginfx

· #12 · Aug 13, 2018

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B-5

· #13 · Oct 26, 2018

We looked at the Ascent first and it quickly was removed from the list. Mainly because of the front seats. They put some sort of a stitch or opening which made me feel like I was sitting on a pool noodle. Secondly was the CVT transmission. Coupled with the boxer engine I felt it was a lot louder on the inside. The acceleration was nice but quiet was #2 on our list of requirements. That transmission was also why the Pathfinder was removed as well.

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KarstGeo

· #14 · Nov 10, 2018

CVTs are v. efficient but folks don't like them b/c they don't feel like what they are used to is essentially the issue. CVTs allow the motor to stay in the proper RPM range constantly to achieve the appropriate power. I don't care for them either, but they are a solid engineering solution.

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Atlasuno

· #15 · Mar 25, 2019

Pashi266 said:
Yeah, that's a very good deal and yes VW Atlas looks much better than Ascent. Subaru makes bold vehicles (I would vote Ascent the second best looking Subaru other than WRX), but I'm sure they are very good at handling.
I test drove the Atlas while ago and I didn't complain at that time other than the missing things. But, I realized lately that Atlas steering has very less feedback. I didn't think about it in the beginning, but later thought for a vehicle that size it should feel like a truck. Again, this is just IMO

The steering on the Atlas is light, but by choosing Sport Mode, it will tighten the steering as well as make the shift points higher.

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hfqkhal

· #16 · Mar 25, 2019

Atlasuno said:
The steering on the Atlas is light, but by choosing Sport Mode, it will tighten the steering as well as make the shift points higher.

No one knows what the OP has decided on. It seems that his last post was made prior to the release of the Ascent. Before I bought my Atlas I did a quick test drive and did not like the Ascent much and the CVT for me was a no go due to prior experience with another car maker and such has swayed me away. Well 8 years of driving a CVT is long enough for one to dislike it and even hate it. Once it is proven that the CVT will be more reliable and a bit more performance oriented then may be I would think about it but before that my next car would most likely be an electric one or at least a good dual mode but not with a short drive in electric mode. The current Hybrids in my opinion is more expensive compared to the savings return on their mileage. To me I don't thing 5k to 6K miles annually would ever be worth owning a Hybrid car.

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notabiker

· #17 · Apr 2, 2019

Yea, anything with a cvt is automatically ruled out, such a pain to drive and very boring as well. Sister had an altima that needed a new transmission with 40,000 because it was failing. Most manufacturers have low mile warranty on cvt just for that reason. Plus the atlas has 8 gears so it can always find a good one for any situation.

Okay, the ONLY thing I want with a cvt is a snowmobile.. Fourwheelers can suck it too, I prefer dirtbikes with clutches.

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