[Coco212]

Thanks for the reply! So.... I was looking at the Subaru and then a friend said she wasn't happy with hers, and that's what steered me back to Audi. You saying you wouldn't do it again doesn't inspire me either haha! And related to the virus.... I'm considering buying a car sight unseen (a little crazy, I know) to have something bigger and more reliable than the Saab just in case - and I have driven the Audi but not the Subaru. So the price premium to me is do I buy a car I have driven and like or one I haven't, you know? Ah well.....will keep thinking and see if Audi is willing to cut a deal on a car in their inventory....

 

[hokiefyd]

I've driven only one Audi (an older A4), but I suspect your expectations of "driving dynamics" won't be upheld very well by the Ascent. The electric power steering does seem a little over-boosted, and definitely has a lack of feel. The steering of our other two SUVs (a Honda and an Acura) feel race car-precise in comparison, though slower in reaction. The Ascent's throttle is also fairly touchy. Both of these are things you simply get used to. After driving the Ascent for a while, our MDX feels like it weighs twice what it does -- the steering response is slower, the throttle response is slower, etc. I've always enjoyed the ride and handling of our MDX, but the Ascent really does it one better. This Subaru absolutely does NOT feel the 4,600 pounds it actually weighs -- it drives a lot smaller than it really is. I guess the best summary, in a word, is "effortless". It's actually fairly relaxing to have something that is so easy to control (with small/light inputs), and still handles so well doing it.

The main competition we cross-shopped was the Buick Enclave. I suspect the Buick is more like the Audi in terms of its interior quality and refinement, or at least the look of quality and refinement! The Buick also has a more traditional powertrain, a 3.6L V-6 and a 9-speed automatic. We drove the Subaru and Buick back-to-back, and the Subaru's turbo boxer and CVT absolutely sold me. The Buick's automatic, while probably "pretty good" as modern automatics go, was way too "shifty" around town. With the CVT, you completely forget about the transmission even being there -- it just...drives. And the turbo boxer is brilliant. It's definitely not as refined as our Honda V-6 engines, but it's a heckuva lot smoother than any inline-4 I've driven, and there is absolutely no "4 cylinder shake" under any circumstances. The boxer architecture is apparently to thank for that.

We bought the Touring model, which I think looks really rich inside. Not "rich" as in elegant...maybe "warm" is a better descriptor. The Java Brown leather and woodgrain patterned trim look very nice...it's sort of a tri-color arrangement going on (with the black, ivory, and wood pattern pieces). We like the front camera and use it all the time (to park it just so in our garage). We also use the rearview mirror camera most of the time. The power folding mirrors are also nice, though I'd prefer they be linked to the memory settings (they are not). It would also be nice if the right side mirror dipped in reverse (it does not). Minor quibbles aside, we really like the car.

We've owned ours for fewer than 1,000 miles (I think about 700 in fact). We bought it on 6 MAR and it was built in February, so it's a fairly recent production build. We haven't had any issues with it, yet, but are mostly driving it easy around town and across the countryside (we keep the kids entertained with car rides!). Our Hondas have treated us very well, but the Pilot just didn't have the right configuration at the price we wanted, so we're rolling the dice with Subaru. So far, so good. We know a lot of happy Subie owners, and I hope we continue to be happy with ours years from now. It's our first Subaru, first boxer engine, first turbocharged engine, and first CVT. So there's a lot "new" for us, and it's been fun getting to learn something completely different.

 

[Percy Garris]

Thanks for the reply! So.... I was looking at the Subaru and then a friend said she wasn't happy with hers, and that's what steered me back to Audi. You saying you wouldn't do it again doesn't inspire me either haha! And related to the virus.... I'm considering buying a car sight unseen (a little crazy, I know) to have something bigger and more reliable than the Saab just in case - and I have driven the Audi but not the Subaru. So the price premium to me is do I buy a car I have driven and like or one I haven't, you know? Ah well.....will keep thinking and see if Audi is willing to cut a deal on a car in their inventory....

I wasn't trying to scare you away necessarily ( my experiences have been somewhat contrary to a lot of people on this board, but I also have the perspective of having come from a higher-end SUV).
I do think you have to test drive any vehicle that you're going to be owning, and living with for the next several years. You may find the characteristics of the Ascent perfect for your needs.I haven't driven the 2020 Q7 with the new engine & interior update). I would also check the CX-9 out if the space/visibility issue isn't so important, it honestly does a great Audi impression for a lot less money.
Seeing there is a new 'keep your distance' order issued through the end of April, you may find yourself getting a much better deal in 3 or 4 weeks, when the dealers are really starting to feel it, whatever you decide to go with. Good luck to you!

 

[packout]

Spot-on!!!

Many people believe "German engineering" is about the crafted solutions they implemented on the vehicles; yes, sure there's a lot of truths to that, but there's a pronounced psyche that helps underpin that belief. What people don't realized is the social engineering (psychology) is what they're good at to propel their products. It's the exact same tactic, in principle, of the horrors that happened ~70yrs ago. As you suggested the VW diesel, it is the biggest scam in the diesel/emission scams in history, affecting 10mil+ vehicles.

In case someone missed it. VW diesel scandal

 

[Hkrofft]

I just traded in a 2014 Q5 for a 2020 Touring (my other car is an A4). I was seriously considering a used $50k Q7 instead of a new Ascent Touring, but in the end the Q7 just doesnt cut it for what it should do.

1. Only 2 seats in the 3rd row for the short time frame where I could be transporting a carload of kids that could actually fit 3 in the 3rd row.
2. Total cargo space was much less functional on the Q7.
3. The enhanced driving experience of the Audi drivetrain/engine just doesnt make up for the price disparity(or new vs used in my case)
4. Resale value, resale value, resale value!

There is probably a few other small things that pushed me toward the Ascent from the Q7. So far, I am not regretting my choice one bit.

 

[packout]

I just traded in a 2014 Q5 for a 2020 Touring (my other car is an A4). I was seriously considering a used $50k Q7 instead of a new Ascent Touring, but in the end the Q7 just doesnt cut it for what it should do.

1. Only 2 seats in the 3rd row for the short time frame where I could be transporting a carload of kids that could actually fit 3 in the 3rd row.
2. Total cargo space was much less functional on the Q7.
3. The enhanced driving experience of the Audi drivetrain/engine just doesnt make up for the price disparity(or new vs used in my case)
4. Resale value, resale value, resale value!

There is probably a few other small things that pushed me toward the Ascent from the Q7. So far, I am not regretting my choice one bit.

That is what I am hearing. The Ascent hit a sweet spot in terms of value for its reliability and features for the price point. In addition the Ascent does some things very well regardless of price that other vehicles do not.

Enjoy.

 

[Robson13]

Resale value on luxury brand drops very quickly after warranty is over. Service is luxury expensive. I would lease it but never buy it.