The 2020 Subaru Ascent, a popular family SUV, has undergone rigorous testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to evaluate its safety performance. As a content creator for cardiagnosticnearme.com and an automotive repair expert, we delve into the detailed safety ratings of the 2020 Subaru Ascent, providing a comprehensive overview for car buyers and enthusiasts alike. This analysis is based on the official IIHS reports, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a fixed object like a tree or utility pole. In this demanding test, the 2020 Subaru Ascent demonstrated exceptional structural integrity and occupant protection.
Driver-Side Performance
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2020 Subaru Ascent earned a “Good” rating, the highest possible, in the driver-side small overlap front test. The structure and safety cage of the Ascent held up exceptionally well during the impact, maintaining the driver’s survival space.
Action shot of the 2020 Subaru Ascent during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, showcasing its robust safety structure.
Sensors on the crash test dummy indicated a low risk of injury to the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot. The restraint system, including airbags and seatbelts, effectively controlled the dummy’s movement, further minimizing potential injuries.
Post-crash dummy position in the 2020 Subaru Ascent driver-side small overlap test, demonstrating the maintained driver survival space within the vehicle.
The frontal and side curtain airbags deployed correctly and worked in coordination to protect the driver’s head from contacting hard structures or external objects.
Effective airbag deployment in the 2020 Subaru Ascent during the driver-side small overlap test, highlighting the comprehensive head protection system.
Technical measurements from the test further support the “Good” rating, showing minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment and low injury measures.
Assessment of leg and foot injury risk for the driver in the 2020 Subaru Ascent driver-side small overlap crash test, confirming a low probability of such injuries.
Technical Measurements: Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1808 |
| Lower occupant compartment intrusion | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 2 |
| Footrest (cm) | 4 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 2 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 2 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 0 |
| Upper occupant compartment intrusion | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 2 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 3 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 2 |
Driver Injury Measures: Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1808 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 71 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 11 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.18 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 27 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.8 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 2 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.51 |
| Right | 0.39 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.8 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 62 |
| Right | 24 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap front test mirrors the driver-side test but evaluates the safety performance for the front passenger. The 2020 Subaru Ascent also excelled in this assessment.
Passenger-Side Performance
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2020 Subaru Ascent achieved another “Good” overall rating for passenger-side protection. This rating is based on tests conducted by Subaru and evaluated by the IIHS, ensuring consistent safety standards across both front seating positions.
Technical Measurements: Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1823 |
| Lower occupant compartment intrusion | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 3 |
| Footrest (cm) | 5 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 3 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 1 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 0 |
| Upper occupant compartment intrusion | |
| Center dash (cm) | 2 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 3 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 3 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 3 |
Passenger Injury Measures: Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1823 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 84 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 26 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.15 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 20 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.1 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.45 |
| Right | 0.75 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.8 |
| Right | 1.8 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 39 |
| Right | 39 |
Driver Injury Measures: Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTP1823 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 40 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 30 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 32 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.4 |
| Right | 0.3 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.40 |
| Right | 0.52 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.9 |
| Right | 0.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 37 |
| Right | 48 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Evaluation
In the moderate overlap front test, a significant portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a deformable barrier. This test is crucial for assessing protection in a common type of frontal collision.
Performance in Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, left | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, right | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The 2020 Subaru Ascent once again secured a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test. The structural design effectively managed crash forces, minimizing intrusion into the driver’s space.
Dynamic capture of the 2020 Subaru Ascent undergoing the moderate overlap frontal crash test, illustrating the impact scenario.
The dummy’s position post-test indicated that the driver’s survival space was well maintained, and the risk of injuries was low across all measured body regions.
Analysis of the driver dummy’s position after the 2020 Subaru Ascent moderate overlap crash test, confirming the integrity of the occupant survival space.
Grease paint on the dummy’s head confirmed contact with the side curtain airbag, demonstrating its role in head protection during forward movement and rebound.
Grease paint visualization of head contact with the side curtain airbag in the 2020 Subaru Ascent moderate overlap test, demonstrating effective head protection.
Minimal intrusion into the driver’s footwell and low injury measures for legs and feet further validate the “Good” rating.
Assessment of leg and foot injury risks for the driver in the 2020 Subaru Ascent moderate overlap crash test, confirming minimal injury potential in these areas.
Technical Measurements: Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF1802 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 4 |
| Left (cm) | 5 |
| Center (cm) | 7 |
| Right (cm) | 3 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 1 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | -5 |
| Rearward (cm) | -5 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures: Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF1802 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 156 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.22 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 35 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 0.6 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 0.5 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 2 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.20 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.36 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 1.4 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 1.5 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 47 |
| Right | 57 |
Side Impact Crash Test: Original and Updated Evaluations
Side impact crashes are another significant concern, and the IIHS conducts both original and updated side impact tests. The 2020 Subaru Ascent has been evaluated under both protocols.
Original Side Impact Test Performance
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
In the original side impact test, the 2020 Subaru Ascent achieved a “Good” overall rating, indicating strong protection for both driver and rear passengers.
Visual of the 2020 Subaru Ascent and the deformable barrier at the moment of impact in the original side crash test.
The structure and safety cage effectively resisted intrusion, and side airbags provided excellent head protection, as indicated by grease paint marks on the dummies.
View of the 2020 Subaru Ascent after the side crash test, with doors removed to showcase side airbag deployment and damage to the occupant compartment.
Grease paint marking on the driver dummy’s head in the 2020 Subaru Ascent side crash test, showing effective protection by the side curtain airbag.
Grease paint marking on the rear passenger dummy’s head in the 2020 Subaru Ascent side crash test, confirming head protection by the side airbag.
Technical Measurements: Original Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES1807 |
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -18.5 |
Driver Injury Measures: Original Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES1807 |
| Head HIC-15 | 48 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 21 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 24 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 20 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.29 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.36 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.8 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 81 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -14 |
Passenger Injury Measures: Original Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES1807 |
| Head HIC-15 | 85 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 18 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 16 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 10 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.62 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.07 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Combined force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.7 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 137 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | -33 |
Updated Side Impact Test Performance
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
In the more stringent updated side impact test, the 2020 Subaru Ascent continued to perform well, earning a “Good” overall rating. While the structure and safety cage received an “Acceptable” rating, injury measures for both driver and rear passenger remained largely “Good”.
Post-impact view of the 2020 Subaru Ascent after the updated side crash test, showing the area of structural impact.
Internal view of the 2020 Subaru Ascent after the updated side crash test, revealing the deployment of side airbags and the extent of occupant compartment damage.
Grease paint marking on the driver dummy’s head in the updated side crash test of the 2020 Subaru Ascent, indicating head protection from side airbags.
Grease paint marking on the rear passenger dummy’s head in the updated side crash test of the 2020 Subaru Ascent, confirming head protection by side airbags.
Technical Measurements: Updated Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2212 |
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -14.5 |
Driver Injury Measures: Updated Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2212 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 82 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.4 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 21 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 25 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 23 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.66 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.27 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 4.1 |
Passenger Injury Measures: Updated Side Impact Test
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2212 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 211 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.6 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 30 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 27 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.06 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.57 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 0.9 |
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test evaluates how well a vehicle’s roof can withstand forces in a rollover crash.
Roof Strength Performance
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,436 lbs |
| Peak force | 21,302 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.80 |
The 2020 Subaru Ascent achieved a “Good” rating in roof strength, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4.80, significantly exceeding the minimum requirement.
Head Restraints & Seats Evaluation
Head restraints and seats play a crucial role in preventing neck injuries in rear-end collisions.
Head Restraints & Seats Performance
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
The 2020 Subaru Ascent’s head restraints and seats earned a “Good” rating in dynamic testing and geometry, indicating effective protection against whiplash in rear impacts.
Technical Measurements: Head Restraints & Seats
| Seat type | Power cloth seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 36 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | -6 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 9.5 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 66 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 345 |
Headlight System Ratings
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The IIHS rates headlights as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. The 2020 Subaru Ascent has two different headlight options.
LED Projector Headlights (Limited and Touring Trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | Yes |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | Good (G) |
The LED projector headlights available on the Limited and Touring trims of the 2020 Subaru Ascent received a “Good” overall rating, offering excellent visibility with minimal glare.
Halogen Projector Headlights (Base and Premium Trims)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
| Overall rating | Poor (P) |
The Halogen projector headlights on the Base and Premium trims received a “Poor” rating due to inadequate visibility and excessive glare, indicating a significant difference in headlight performance across trims.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
The 2020 Subaru Ascent comes standard with the EyeSight Driver-Assist System, which includes front crash prevention features.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|
The 2020 Subaru Ascent’s vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system earned a “Superior” rating. It successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, and meets forward collision warning requirements.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Daytime)
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
|---|
The pedestrian front crash prevention system also received a “Superior” rating. It performed effectively in various pedestrian scenarios, including crossing child and adult, and parallel adult scenarios, demonstrating robust pedestrian detection and avoidance capabilities.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease the installation of child restraints and enhance child passenger safety.
LATCH System Evaluation
| Overall evaluation | Good + extra LATCH positions |
|---|---|
| Vehicle trim | Premium |
| Seat type | cloth |
The 2020 Subaru Ascent has a LATCH system rated “Good +” for ease of use and extra LATCH positions, providing flexibility and convenience for families installing multiple child seats.
LATCH Details by Seating Position
| Position | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1 | Good |
| 2 | Good |
| 3 | Good |
| 4 | Tether anchor only |
| 5 | Tether anchor only |
| 6 | Good |
Conclusion: 2020 Subaru Ascent – A Top Safety Pick
The 2020 Subaru Ascent demonstrates exceptional safety performance across a range of IIHS crash tests and safety evaluations. Earning “Good” ratings in all crashworthiness tests, a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention, and a “Good +” rating for child seat anchors, the 2020 Subaru Ascent is a top safety pick for families. However, potential buyers should note the “Poor” headlight rating for Base and Premium trims and consider the Limited or Touring trims for significantly better headlight performance. Overall, the 2020 Subaru Ascent stands out as a safe and reliable choice in the SUV segment.
