Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot
Family haulers with three rows and all-wheel drive as standard, the 2022 Subaru Ascent and 2022 Honda Pilot are natural rivals for buyers needing seating for seven or eight without stepping into a minivan or full-size SUV. Both offer strong safety ratings and comfortable cabins, but their ownership profiles diverge meaningfully over five years in ways the sticker price alone won't reveal. Understanding depreciation curves, real-world fuel costs, and reliability records can easily swing the true cost decision by several thousand dollars.
The 2022 Subaru Ascent carries a roughly $3,000 lower entry price on the used market and posts competitive depreciation thanks to Subaru's strong residual values, resulting in a lower five-year total cost of ownership despite slightly higher maintenance costs than the Pilot.
2022 Subaru Ascent
Winner- Standard AWD with no premium trim required
- Strong resale value helps offset depreciation curve
- Lower starting used-market price reduces overall financing burden
- 2.4L turbo-4 returns only ~21 MPG combined, among the thirstier engines in class
- Timing chain and CVT service intervals add maintenance complexity vs V6
- Higher comprehensive insurance premiums in some regions due to repair part costs
2022 Honda Pilot
- 3.5L i-VTEC V6 delivers better real-world fuel economy ~26 MPG combined
- Honda's legendary reliability record keeps unplanned repair bills low
- Slightly lower insurance premiums on average due to favorable actuarial history
- Higher used-market purchase price increases depreciation dollar exposure
- 9-speed ZF automatic has known hesitation issues requiring dealer software updates
- Slightly larger depreciation hit in first two years on used purchase vs Ascent
Category by category
The verdict
Over five years the 2022 Subaru Ascent edges out the Pilot by roughly $2,600 in total ownership cost, driven primarily by its lower purchase price partially offsetting its fuel and maintenance disadvantages. However, the Honda Pilot is the stronger mechanical proposition for buyers planning to keep the vehicle beyond five years, where its V6 reliability advantage becomes more financially meaningful. Choose the Ascent to save money now; choose the Pilot if you value worry-free long-term ownership above all else.
Subaru Ascent: The 2022 Subaru Ascent is best for budget-conscious buyers who want standard AWD and a lower entry price and can tolerate slightly higher fuel and maintenance costs over time.
Honda Pilot: The 2022 Honda Pilot suits buyers who prioritize long-term mechanical reliability, slightly better fuel economy, and lower day-to-day running costs even if the upfront purchase price is higher.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the 2022 Subaru Ascent or 2022 Honda Pilot?
The 2022 Honda Pilot edges ahead on predicted reliability with a J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability score advantage and fewer reported powertrain issues, while the Ascent has some early oil consumption concerns with its FA24 turbo engine.
Does the 2022 Subaru Ascent have better AWD than the Honda Pilot?
The Ascent uses Subaru's standard Symmetrical AWD on every trim, while the Pilot's standard AWD (i-VTM4 on higher trims, basic AWD on lower) is competitive but the Ascent's system has a slight real-world traction edge in deep snow.
What is the fuel economy difference between the 2022 Ascent and 2022 Pilot?
The Pilot averages about 23 MPG combined versus the Ascent's 21 MPG combined, saving approximately $150-$200 per year at average US gas prices for a 12,000-mile driver.
Which holds its value better, the 2022 Subaru Ascent or Honda Pilot?
Both vehicles retain value at comparable rates of roughly 52-55% after five years, so resale value should not be a deciding factor between these two specific models.
Is the 2022 Subaru Ascent or Honda Pilot cheaper to insure?
The Honda Pilot is typically $100-$150 per year cheaper to insure nationally, though individual rates vary significantly by state, driver history, and coverage level.