AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING7.0/10
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Safety9.0/10
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PRACTICALITY8.0/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8.0/10
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FEATURES8.0/10
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POWER8.0/10
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COMFORT9.0/10
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DRIVING FEEL8.0/10
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FUEL ECONOMY7.0/10
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VALUE8.0/10
With the three-row crossover currently being the go-to vehicle for family hauling, the 2025 Subaru Ascent sees itself facing some tough competition.
That’s especially the case when considering the Ascent is heading into its eighth year of production, with only one minor update along the way. Nonetheless, with (tight) space for seven or eight occupants, there’s a lot to like about the Ascent considering its value, comfortable ride, and generous list of standard safety features.
Styling: 7/10
The Ascent is pleasantly inoffensive to look at, with simple lines and no garish accoutrements. The Sport trim tested here ditches the usual exterior chrome in favour of a black grille, dark bronze 20-inch alloy wheels, and a few other accents to match. Although with this tester painted black and having dark tinted windows, the bronze accents are all but indistinguishable.
The Ascent Sport gets only a black interior, and like the outside, all traces of shiny metallic trim are gone, replaced with a gloss-black finish — the only respite being a bronze steering wheel accent. The seats are trimmed in faux leather and get brown stitching. Overall, it’s a pleasing design, dominated by a 11.9-inch portrait-oriented central touchscreen, and build quality is good.
Power: 8/10
The Ascent uses a turbocharged 2.4L turbocharged flat four-cylinder that kicks out 260 hp and a robust 277 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm. It’s hooked to an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that makes a noble attempt at impersonating a conventionally geared eight-speed unit. For those looking for more control, the transmission is quick to respond to paddle inputs. The 2.4L is a strong engine but throttle response can be uneven; there’s an abrupt tip-in from start, and when on the move it can take a couple of beats when calling for acceleration for the engine and transmission to come to an agreement and deliver the goods, sometimes in an unexpected surge.
Fuel Economy: 7/10
The Subaru Ascent is one of the more fuel-efficient vehicles in this segment, with official ratings of 12.3 L/100 km in the city, 9.4 on the highway, and 11.0 combined. This wintry week of testing saw it turn in an average of 12.9 L/100 km. It runs on regular-grade gas.
Driving Feel: 8/10
The Ascent feels light on its feet for what it is, offering up an easy, friendly driving experience that takes the stress out of the day-to-day grind. As is the case with all Subaru crossovers, its natural steering feel, strong and linear brakes, and competent handling meld into a holistic, confident driving experience. This is helped in no small part by the standard full-time all-wheel drive.
Comfort: 9/10
Subaru seems to be one of the few manufacturers that knows how to engineer a comfortable ride — or at least chooses compliance over stiffer, sportier underpinnings. And it’s not like the Ascent is a sloppy handler. Even on the Sport’s 20-inch wheels (up from the standard 18-inch alloys), the Ascent commendably shields its occupants from road imperfections. On the highway it settles into a comfy, relaxed cruise, although there is some noticeable road noise. The front seats — 12-way adjustability for the driver, four-way for the passenger — are soft on the derriere yet provide long distance comfort. Similarly, the heated second row captain’s chairs and third row are nicely padded. With three-zone climate control, second-row passengers get their own control panel. (Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard across the lineup.)
Practicality: 8/10
The Ascent doesn’t have quite as much third-row space as some of its newer rivals (the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Toyota Grand Highlander among them), so those back seats are best suited to children. The second-row captain’s chairs in this Sport trim slide forward in an easy motion, allowing reasonable access to the third row. Cargo space behind the third row is a modest 458 L, but flipping the 60/40 split rear bench has it opening up to a 1,193 L with a flat floor. The captain’s chairs will also fold flat, giving a max cargo capacity of 2,061 L. There’s also a handy underfloor compartment that holds the retractable cargo cover. Properly equipped, the Ascent will tow 2,270 kg (5000 lb).
User-Friendliness: 8/10
The portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen does a fine job of laying out all vehicular functions — infotainment and HVAC — in an array of large, easy-to-read tablets and touch points. The graphics aren’t particularly chic, nor are they super sharp, but it’s a user-friendly system overall. And kudos to Subaru for fitting knobs for volume and audio turning. The large and legible speedometer and tachometer in the instrument cluster are nice analog holdovers, as is the mechanical gear selector. The steering wheel controls are also of the physical variety.
Features: 8/10
The Ascent Sport gets the aforementioned 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display that includes navigation and even an auxiliary audio input — the latter a rarity these days. Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections are both wireless, and there’s a well-tuned 14-speaker that’s clear, natural, and punchy. Also included is wireless phone charging. Buyers get a three-year subscription to Subaru’s connected services suite that brings a slew of remote functions, plus safety and security concierge functions.
Safety: 9/10
Subaru has earned a solid reputation for safety, and every Ascent gets the marque’s impressive EyeSight system with its wide-angle mono camera that incorporates front collision/cyclist/pedestrian warning and collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, reverse automatic braking, lane-keep assist, drive attention alert, and automatic emergency steering. Automatic high-beam headlights are also standard, and the Sport trim adds surround-view cameras.
Value: 8/10
Value might be one of the key reasons for selecting the Subaru Ascent as, feature for feature, it slides in a few thousand dollars less than most of its fresher competitors. Additionally, every Ascent comes with the full complement of Subaru’s impressive safety tech along with standard all-wheel drive. It starts at $48,290 before tax but including a non-negotiable freight charge, while the Touring trim is $2,000 more. The Onyx trim rings in at $51,790, while the Limited is $55,290. The Sport trim tested here is $1,000 more, while the range-topping Premier is $58,290.
The Verdict
Looking at the three-row family hauler sales charts, the aging Ascent is hardly on fire, but that certainly shouldn’t dissuade anyone from putting this Subaru on their shopping list. For those who like the way Subarus drive, the Ascent follows the script with its appealing blend of comfort, user-friendliness, and a baked-in sense of safety and security. It’s a low-effort family vehicle that, while perhaps not offering the flash or space of its newer rivals, counters with an easy-driving nature, known reliability, and a footprint that makes in town manoeuvring and parking low-stress affairs.
| Engine Displacement | 2.4L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo H4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 260 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 277 lb-ft @ 2,000-4,800 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 12.3 / 9.4 / 11.0 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 458 / 1,193 / 2,061 L behind 3rd/2nd/1st |
| Model Tested | 2025 Subaru Ascent Sport |
| Base Price | $59,995 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,295 |
| Price as Tested | $56,390 |
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Optional Equipment
None
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