Jay Hodge Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram
In today’s market, it seems like there’s a midsize SUV for nearly any driver’s needs. Some, like the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, offer true off-road capabilities, while others, like the 2023 Subaru Ascent, offer up to seven seats. Now on the latest WL generation, which debuted for the 2022 model year, the 2023 Grand Cherokee is as fresh as they come. The 2023 Subaru Ascent is a bit older, as the generation debuted in 2019 but has received yearly updates. So, which one is ahead in the midsize SUV race? Let's find out by comparing the 2023 Grand Cherokee vs. Ascent in terms of interior, performance, and safety attributes.
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a five-seat midsize SUV with a spacious 145-cubic-foot cabin for a truly roomy experience. You also have 38 cubic feet of cargo space, which is enough for a cross-country trip with the family and their gear. You can increase that by folding the rear seats when necessary. While the 2023 Subaru Ascent may appear to offer ample cabin space, it’s split across three rows, making for a tighter experience.
The 2023 Grand Cherokee’s advantage carries over into the quality and feel of the interior as well. Jeep has taken the Grand Cherokee upmarket, and you’ll find open-pore wood and quilted leather on higher trims. You won’t find these on the 2023 Ascent, which has a darker and more plasticky cabin.
The 2023 Grand Cherokee range starts with a 290-horsepower 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 that offers peppy performance. Next, there's a 5.7-liter V8 with 360 horsepower and cylinder deactivation on part throttle driving to help save fuel. Finally, there's a 4xe hybrid powertrain that pairs a 2.0-liter turbo four with an electric motor for a total output of 375 horsepower. The 2023 Grand Cherokee can tow up to 6,000 pounds when properly specified and equipped. You’ll also appreciate the impressive ride qualities and hushed nature of the cabin.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Ascent comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower. Drive goes to all four wheels via a CVT gearbox and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. The 2023 Ascent can pull up to 5,000 pounds, which is notably less than the 2023 Grand Cherokee. It’s also noticeably less refined, with more engine and road noise permeating the cabin. Furthermore, don’t expect the 2023 Ascent to approach what the 2023 Grand Cherokee can do off-road, as Jeep offers far more impressive trail-tackling gear.
The 2023 Grand Cherokee and the 2023 Ascent are nearly neck-and-neck with active and passive safety features. They have adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, airbags, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, stability control, and child safety locks. It’s great to know that your family will be superbly safe in either vehicle.
It looks like the 2023 Grand Cherokee triumphs convincingly over the 2023 Ascent. It's our pick in this Jeep vs. Subaru matchup, as it has a roomier cabin, more tech, heartier engines, and proper off-road capabilities. If you'd like to see what the 2023 Grand Cherokee can do, swing by Jay Hodge Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM in Hugo, OK, and take a Jeep for a test drive.
