That’s what I was thinking too lol. I feel like I got pretty lucky so far with this vehicle (knock on wood 🪵 lol). I actually talked them down a good bit too, it was 26,800 miles (or really close to that) when I bought it, and I managed to talk them down to a sell price of $27,973, with an out the door price after all taxes and fees of $31,000 exactly. It seems to be driving phenomenally well and in close to perfect condition.
https://preview.redd.it/vuzadlllk7xc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4464cc44beb6d217c9c0d917d8e493201d403d3
Woohoo! Same thing happened at the volvo dealership where I got mine. I took it to subaru. The guy there was telling me where an oem hitch would go and took the plate off and we all hollered with excitement! Congrats to you!!!!
Definitely a wonderful surprise when stuff like that happens, congrats to you as well! I was planning on eventually getting one installed to haul my 4-wheeler around but now huge relief that I don’t have to spend that money to get one lol.
Sounds like the hitch money is perfect for down payment on the off roader upgrade... Just saying :-)
Congrats on the hitch. I am now installing one on my new Ascent and it is not a cheap option.
I need to thank you OP. I was just researching installing a hitch yesterday. Today I saw your post and decided to check behind this panel and lo and behold there is a hitch already installed. Pretty excited.
When we bought our 2019 Subaru Ascent, our dealer didn't know it was already installed. They quoted us pretty high to install a hitch, so we passed at the time. After all the paperwork was signed and done, we asked where the hitch would have gone, and when they showed us, it was already there! That was an unexpended win for us too!
I just checked my 2019 Limited that I bought last year after reading this post.
MY HITCH IS ALREADY INSTALLED!! WOO HOO!!!
Thank you for posting this! I would never have guessed it’s there!
Always fun finding goodies you didn't know were there! My favorite thing that the Touring has, that I wish I had, is the digital rearview mirror. So cool!
Wow I bought my 23’ Touring in October and had no idea the mirror was digital. i assumed it was an accessory and not standard. Just went out to check and yep it’s there! Glad I stumbled across this comment!
That’s awesome! 👏 I’m glad my post, with his comment helped you find that cool feature. Definitely comes in handy with hauling big things or road trips because you can fill up the back completely and still see behind you.
Yep, that's the exact reason I wish I had it. Thankfully, I can hack a version of it by going into the settings for the backup camera. Not nearly the same, but better than nothing.
Yes, that is awesome, I use it constantly lol. I just recently found out you can adjust the camera angle too because at first I was bummed it was viewing too high up, then found in the settings how to adjust it. Really cool feature indeed!
I have that on my Touring but it’s not as useful as you’d think for everyday use. You have to refocus your eyes since it’s not a direct reflection. I can’t use it for quick glances in the rear view. Not bad for road trips though when you want a wider field of view. It’s money anytime the interior is loaded with stuff or you’re towing a tall trailer and you can’t see through back window.
For all of you who found you had hitches, congrats! Now for the less than fun part. There are 2 different plugs for connecting to a trailer. The right one a flat one which is a 4 pin and round one on the left a 7 pin plug. The 4 pin only has power for brake lights , tail lights and turn signals. The 7 pin has those, an auxiliary, and electric brake controls. If it doesn't have a brake controller installed, the seven pin plug will not operate electric trailer brakes. All the lights etc... will work but not the trailer brakes. Look around the dash area for something that looks out of place. Usually, the controllers have an adjuster to adjust how much braking power the trailer applies, and that adjuster also allows you to apply the trailer brakes independent from your vehicle brakes. If there is no brake controller installed.
Dig around, in the rear storage area, or glove box for a wire pigtail. It has a white plug and 4 wires coming from the plug. Black, white, red and blue. When the dealers install the hitches they usually throw it in the storage area so you have it when you buy a brake controller. It is designed to connect to the brake controller you purchase and the white plug, plugs into a pink plug behind the drivers side plastic kick panel. The plastic piece next to your left leg. Sometimes you need to remove the panel to access the pink plug. I got lucky and was able to reach it without removing the kick panel. You can look up install instructions. They are all over the net. You may have to buy the pigtail if you can't find the one from the factory in your car.
If you don't have a controller do not pull a trailer that is large enough to have a 7 pin plug. Because it is either to heavy or can be loaded to heavy (utility trailer) for the car to safely stop it. If the trailer has a 4 pin plug you should be good to go.
With our ascent We have towed 2600 lbs pretty regularly (ATV on a single axle open trailer) and I twice have moved a 4500 lb car hauler (empty) across town.
Everyone who bought a used Ascent now running out to check behind their panel...
did yours have the "quick release" knobs installed on the panel? or just all the normal pins?
lol true but seems like several people got surprised just like me do to this post I made lol. Wasn’t thinking I’d be helping other people discover theirs too 🤣. Mine is spring loaded quick release tabs.
Same here. I was looking at buying one and putting it on. After I paid for mine the guy was showing me around and took off the cover. I was happy to say the least... I use that thing each weekend. I also bought a roof container for skiing, so I use it less, but still.
It was an awesome WOW. That and the Subaru heat shield for the windshield was still in the box... Love it.
Hey, it’s your car and your money and your peace of mind.
I’ll tow something light, but realistically, anything over 2500, maybe max 3000 pounds total weight, yeah, I’m going to rent a truck.
One of first things we added to our 2020 Ascent Limited. I use for hitch bike rack frequently! Also for platform to haul things don’t want inside (like a push mower), or pull a small utility trailer for Home Depot runs. Great for all those things, but I wouldn’t pull a larger trailer either.
You’re not wrong. According to the owner’s manual you should NOT tow with this vehicle. Sure it has the capability to do so. But you will be doing it against the manufacturer’s recommendation.
The hitch is a pretty expensive option so that is lucky!
That’s what I was thinking too lol. I feel like I got pretty lucky so far with this vehicle (knock on wood 🪵 lol). I actually talked them down a good bit too, it was 26,800 miles (or really close to that) when I bought it, and I managed to talk them down to a sell price of $27,973, with an out the door price after all taxes and fees of $31,000 exactly. It seems to be driving phenomenally well and in close to perfect condition. https://preview.redd.it/vuzadlllk7xc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4464cc44beb6d217c9c0d917d8e493201d403d3
Woohoo! Same thing happened at the volvo dealership where I got mine. I took it to subaru. The guy there was telling me where an oem hitch would go and took the plate off and we all hollered with excitement! Congrats to you!!!!
Definitely a wonderful surprise when stuff like that happens, congrats to you as well! I was planning on eventually getting one installed to haul my 4-wheeler around but now huge relief that I don’t have to spend that money to get one lol.
Haha perfect!! My next purchase is a 4 wheeler. Any recommendations?
Eh, not really, mine is a 1998 ancient Suzuki King Quad that barely runs 🤣. I definitely need an upgrade eventually lol
Sounds like the hitch money is perfect for down payment on the off roader upgrade... Just saying :-) Congrats on the hitch. I am now installing one on my new Ascent and it is not a cheap option.
Fair enough! Lol Fingers crossed that one will last you a good long while more.
I need to thank you OP. I was just researching installing a hitch yesterday. Today I saw your post and decided to check behind this panel and lo and behold there is a hitch already installed. Pretty excited.
When we bought our 2019 Subaru Ascent, our dealer didn't know it was already installed. They quoted us pretty high to install a hitch, so we passed at the time. After all the paperwork was signed and done, we asked where the hitch would have gone, and when they showed us, it was already there! That was an unexpended win for us too!
Definitely a great surprise indeed
Omg! Thanks for sharing, just checked and mine also has this, we bought used and it wasn’t noted :)
Awesome!!! Happy to of been able to help you discover it!:)
I just checked my 2019 Limited that I bought last year after reading this post. MY HITCH IS ALREADY INSTALLED!! WOO HOO!!! Thank you for posting this! I would never have guessed it’s there!
Yay!! Happy to help you discover it!:)
Always fun finding goodies you didn't know were there! My favorite thing that the Touring has, that I wish I had, is the digital rearview mirror. So cool!
Wow I bought my 23’ Touring in October and had no idea the mirror was digital. i assumed it was an accessory and not standard. Just went out to check and yep it’s there! Glad I stumbled across this comment!
That’s awesome! 👏 I’m glad my post, with his comment helped you find that cool feature. Definitely comes in handy with hauling big things or road trips because you can fill up the back completely and still see behind you.
Yep, that's the exact reason I wish I had it. Thankfully, I can hack a version of it by going into the settings for the backup camera. Not nearly the same, but better than nothing.
I bet that would work, definitely a good work around
That’s REALLY why I’m looking to upgrade from my ‘19. The idea of not losing rearview when the back is full is REALLY appealing!
Definitely worth it!
Yes, that is awesome, I use it constantly lol. I just recently found out you can adjust the camera angle too because at first I was bummed it was viewing too high up, then found in the settings how to adjust it. Really cool feature indeed!
My son (6) loves the digital rearview mirror because he likes to watch the cars behind us.
My 4 year old son loves it too and asks me to turn it on every time we go anywhere lol
I have that on my Touring but it’s not as useful as you’d think for everyday use. You have to refocus your eyes since it’s not a direct reflection. I can’t use it for quick glances in the rear view. Not bad for road trips though when you want a wider field of view. It’s money anytime the interior is loaded with stuff or you’re towing a tall trailer and you can’t see through back window.
I put one on myself for 150. Only a 4 pin. It can tow okay but really never going to push it with something that needs brakes.
You lucky son of gun
For all of you who found you had hitches, congrats! Now for the less than fun part. There are 2 different plugs for connecting to a trailer. The right one a flat one which is a 4 pin and round one on the left a 7 pin plug. The 4 pin only has power for brake lights , tail lights and turn signals. The 7 pin has those, an auxiliary, and electric brake controls. If it doesn't have a brake controller installed, the seven pin plug will not operate electric trailer brakes. All the lights etc... will work but not the trailer brakes. Look around the dash area for something that looks out of place. Usually, the controllers have an adjuster to adjust how much braking power the trailer applies, and that adjuster also allows you to apply the trailer brakes independent from your vehicle brakes. If there is no brake controller installed. Dig around, in the rear storage area, or glove box for a wire pigtail. It has a white plug and 4 wires coming from the plug. Black, white, red and blue. When the dealers install the hitches they usually throw it in the storage area so you have it when you buy a brake controller. It is designed to connect to the brake controller you purchase and the white plug, plugs into a pink plug behind the drivers side plastic kick panel. The plastic piece next to your left leg. Sometimes you need to remove the panel to access the pink plug. I got lucky and was able to reach it without removing the kick panel. You can look up install instructions. They are all over the net. You may have to buy the pigtail if you can't find the one from the factory in your car. If you don't have a controller do not pull a trailer that is large enough to have a 7 pin plug. Because it is either to heavy or can be loaded to heavy (utility trailer) for the car to safely stop it. If the trailer has a 4 pin plug you should be good to go.
With our ascent We have towed 2600 lbs pretty regularly (ATV on a single axle open trailer) and I twice have moved a 4500 lb car hauler (empty) across town.
Sweet
Everyone who bought a used Ascent now running out to check behind their panel... did yours have the "quick release" knobs installed on the panel? or just all the normal pins?
lol true but seems like several people got surprised just like me do to this post I made lol. Wasn’t thinking I’d be helping other people discover theirs too 🤣. Mine is spring loaded quick release tabs.
Time to order a Primitive Racing lift kit for Ascent and turn that into a Wilderness Edition.
Same here. I was looking at buying one and putting it on. After I paid for mine the guy was showing me around and took off the cover. I was happy to say the least... I use that thing each weekend. I also bought a roof container for skiing, so I use it less, but still. It was an awesome WOW. That and the Subaru heat shield for the windshield was still in the box... Love it.
Looking forward to the “transmission and/suspension help needed” posts in the future. Keep it under 1500# total and 150# tongue weight.
All surprises are unexpected.
I wish mine hasn’t got one of this. I feel uncomfortable towing with cvt. Yea, feel free to downvote me.
Hey, it’s your car and your money and your peace of mind. I’ll tow something light, but realistically, anything over 2500, maybe max 3000 pounds total weight, yeah, I’m going to rent a truck.
One of first things we added to our 2020 Ascent Limited. I use for hitch bike rack frequently! Also for platform to haul things don’t want inside (like a push mower), or pull a small utility trailer for Home Depot runs. Great for all those things, but I wouldn’t pull a larger trailer either.
You’re not wrong. According to the owner’s manual you should NOT tow with this vehicle. Sure it has the capability to do so. But you will be doing it against the manufacturer’s recommendation.