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Without any changes made to the hardware for the new model year, all 2022 Ascent models ride the same as their 2021 counterparts, which isn’t a bad thing at all. That means that the plush ride comfort we’ve come to know and love has been retained. It’s particularly pliant over rougher surfaces, and while many rivals in this segment have become pavement crawlers that seldom see even a patch of dirt, the standard all-wheel-drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance mean the Ascent can regularly traverse gravel without fuss. It’s remarkably comfortable while doing so, too, filtering out imperfections at all speeds, even on 20-inch alloy wheels. But while the suspension isolates you from the outside world, the lack of sound deadening doesn’t. Road and wind noise permeate the cabin, and the CVT results in an annoying drone that can’t be escaped when the engine is placed under load.
Overall, the Ascent is composed on all surfaces, body roll is kept to a minimum, and the light-but-accurate steering is responsive to inputs but not overly sensitive. The brakes are also keen to respond and are well-measured. It lacks the playfulness of some rivals, however, and the Mazda CX-9 will always leave drivers feeling more in-tune with their SUV than the Ascent will.
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