Compare the2023 Subaru AscentVS 2022 BMW X7

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Ascent have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X7 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Ascent are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Ascent are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X7 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The X7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Ascent (except Base) offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The X7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Ascent and the X7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ascent its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X7 has not been tested, yet.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Ascent 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 80 percent more Subaru dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ascent’s warranty.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The X7 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the X7:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Ascent uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X7 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X7 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Ascent stops much shorter than the X7:

The Ascent Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the X7 xDrive40i pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ascent Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the X7 xDrive40i (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is 4.8 feet tighter than the X7’s (38 feet vs. 42.8 feet).

The Subaru Ascent may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 to 1250 pounds less than the BMW X7.

The Ascent is 6.5 inches shorter than the X7, making the Ascent easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Ascent has standard seating for 8 passengers; the X7 can only carry 7.

The Ascent has 2.4 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom, 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room and 9.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the X7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ascent’s middle and third row seats recline. The X7’s third row seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Ascent is 2.3 inches lower than the X7 (17.7” vs. 20”). The Ascent’s rear step up height is 2.4 inches lower than the X7’s (18.1” vs. 20.5”).

The Ascent’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

The Ascent’s cargo area is larger than the X7’s in every dimension:

The Ascent’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X7’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Ascent uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X7 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Ascent Base). The X7 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its BMW Assist can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Ascent has a standard rear speed-sensitive intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Ascent offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The X7 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Ascent Touring has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the dashboard, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $6995 to $12335 less than the X7 over a five-year period.

The Ascent will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Ascent will retain 52.78% to 54.99% of its original price after five years, while the X7 only retains 46.76% to 47.92%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Ascent will be $44346 to $88687 less than for the BMW X7.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Ascent and the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the BMW X7 by over two to one during 2022.