2022 Subaru Ascent Review: Stepping Out in Formal Wear

Auto123 reviews the 2022 Subaru Ascent Onyx.

As we've seen over the past few seasons, the automotive industry is dedicated to finding relatively inexpensive ways to attract more customers. One of those ways is to sell adventure to customers via rugged appearance packages on otherwise urban SUVs. But don’t forget what I’ll call the Classy Formalwear look, those special editions that turn many of a model’s visual elements black for a look sometimes more menacing, sometimes more sporty.

Subaru has applied the Wilderness treatment to the Forester and Outback models, but it’s not likely to do the same for the larger Ascent. Instead, for 2022 we get a new Ascent Onyx edition, which fits into the range between the Touring and Limited levels, but also has the distinction of dropping chrome on the exterior. Thus, the rocker panels, fender surrounds, grille, window surrounds and even the 20-inch diameter wheels are all darkened. While it's clear that Subaru’s Canadian division wanted to maximize the tuxedo look, you can actually drive away in one of these with a colour other than the "Crystal Black Silica" of my tester.

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More discreet, but more menacing
Yes, it's true that the dark theme has been used by various automakers in recent history and Subaru isn’t exactly pioneering the genre, but we have to admit that this version is a nice addition for a model whose lukewarm design hasn't really won over all that many big-SUV buyers. As it is wont to do, Subaru’s designers department preferred to take a conservative styling approach with the Ascent, rather than going with something more off the beaten path.

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