IIHS Ranking: Ascent vs the Competition

Hey all, most of you already know that the top two trim levels of the Ascent scored top marks in all categories in all tests.

I went overboard and looked up the ratings (where available - some vehicles had no ratings at all for years (cough, Land Rover)) of as many 7/8 seat SUVs and mini vans as I could, including Luxury models priced $10,000-$40,000 more than the Ascent. I compared the top trim to top trim (which is the IIHS default view).

The list is below, for those of you who want to compare top trims to top trims, of 29 different 7/8 seater vehicle models (the Ascent being one of the 29). I even included some of the most popular mini-vans because some of you are considering moving from them (such as the Honda Odyssey).

Scroll down on each IIHS Ratings Page for all the technical data from the tests, as well as to see how different trim levels performed for each vehicle model.

In case any of you are not sure what the results are and don't have the time to check this rather long list, here's the Cliff Notes version:
Though some small number of them are rated really close, yes, the Ascent beats them all. ALL of them. Every one of them, no matter the price.


I'm not surprised. As I kept saying before the Ascent was even released, it would be a very very safe beast.

WINNER: SUBARU ASCENT:
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/subaru/ascent-4-door-suv?print-view


NON-LUXURY 7/8 SEAT SUVs AND MINI-VANS:
(alphabetical order)

Chevy Tahoe
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/chevrolet/tahoe-4-door-suv?print-view

Chevy Traverse
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/chevrolet/traverse-4-door-suv?print-view

Chrysler Pacifica
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/chrysler/pacifica-minivan?print-view

Ford Expedition
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/ford/expedition-4-door-suv?print-view


Ford Explorer
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/ford/explorer-4-door-suv?print-view

Ford Flex
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/ford/flex-4-door-suv?print-view


Honda Odyssey
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/honda/odyssey-minivan?print-view

Honda Pilot
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/honda/pilot-4-door-suv?print-view

Hyundai Santa Fe
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/hyundai/santa-fe-4-door-suv?print-view


Hyundai Tuscon
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/hyundai/tucson-4-door-suv?print-view

Jeep Grand Cherokee
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/jeep/grand-cherokee-4-door-suv?print-view

Kia Sorento
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/kia/sorento-4-door-suv?print-view


Mazda CX-9
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/mazda/cx-9-4-door-suv?print-view

Mitsubishi Outlander
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/mitsubishi/outlander-4-door-suv?print-view

Nissan Murano
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/nissan/murano-4-door-suv

Nissan Pathfinder
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/nissan/pathfinder-4-door-suv

Toyota Highlander
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/toyota/highlander-4-door-suv?print-view

Toyota Sienna
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/toyota/sienna-minivan?print-view

VW Atlas
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/volkswagen/atlas-4-door-suv?print-view




LUXURY 7/8 SEAT SUVs AND MINI-VANS:
(alphabetical order)
Acura MDX
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/acura/mdx-4-door-suv?print-view

Audi Q7
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/audi/q7-4-door-suv?print-view

Buick Enclave
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/buick/enclave-4-door-suv?print-view

Cadillac Escalade
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/cadillac/escalade-4-door-suv?print-view

Lexus RX
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/lexus/rx-4-door-suv?print-view

Lincoln MKX
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/lincoln/mkx-4-door-suv?print-view

Lincoln Navigator
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/lincoln/navigator-4-door-suv?print-view

Mercedes Benz GLS
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/mercedes-benz/gl-gls-class-4-door-suv?print-view

Volvo XC90
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/volvo/xc90-4-door-suv?print-view


Note: A bunch of you have already seen this buried on page 8 of another thread, but, I decided to make a new post and sticky it for those people looking for the ratings and the comparisons, so they don't have to search through different threads, and then page after page to find it all.

I will continue to add other vehicles to the list as people offer other suggestions.