“Subaru is a great car company and the Ascent is a perfect car for grandparents who want to take their extended family on great adventures.”
2022 Subaru Ascent: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The main change for the 2022 Subaru Ascent is the new seven-passenger Onyx Edition. Otherwise, this is a quiet carryover year with the same turbocharged engine, standard AWD, and core safety suite as 2021.
About the 2022 Subaru Ascent
1st-generation Ascent (2019-present), pre-refresh final year before the 2023 mid-cycle update.
Subaru positions the Ascent as a family-first three-row SUV that still delivers the brand’s usual all-weather confidence. The core pitch is simple: roomy seating and cargo flexibility, standard AWD, strong safety tech, and real road-trip capability. It stands out from many rivals by making AWD and EyeSight standard, while also offering useful towing, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and a cabin designed around family travel rather than just commuter duty.
The 2022 Ascent remains a three-row family SUV, with trims ranging from the straightforward eight-seat base model to the leather-lined Limited and fully equipped Touring. The new Onyx Edition brings a darker look and easy-clean upholstery, while Touring adds upscale touches such as a panoramic moonroof, navigation, ventilated front seats, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
What changed, by category
Styling
The new Onyx Edition adds a blacked-out grille and exterior trim, gloss-black 20-inch wheels, and StarTex water-repellent upholstery.
Safety
The new Onyx Edition includes Reverse Automatic Braking, which can apply the brakes when it detects an obstacle while backing up.
Tech
The new Onyx Edition adds keyless access with push-button start, a power rear gate, and a heated steering wheel.
2022 Subaru Ascent specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.4 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic, High Torque & 8-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic, High Torque & 8-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic, High Torque & 8-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic, High Torque & 8-Spd Manual Mode | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic, High Torque & 8-Spd Manual Mode |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 27 mpg | 26 mpg | 27 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Horsepower | 260 hp | 260 hp | 260 hp | 260 hp | 260 hp |
| Torque | 277 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 86.5 cu-ft | 86.5 cu-ft | 86.5 cu-ft | 86 cu-ft | 86.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in |
| Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Privacy Glass | |||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||
| Third Row Seat | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2022 Subaru Ascent?
The biggest change is the addition of the seven-passenger Onyx Edition. It sits between Premium and Limited and combines black exterior details with StarTex water-repellent upholstery and added convenience equipment.
Was the 2022 Subaru Ascent redesigned?
No, the 2022 Subaru Ascent was not redesigned. It is the final pre-refresh model year, with the Onyx Edition as its main update and few other changes from 2021.
What does the 2022 Ascent Onyx Edition add?
The 2022 Ascent Onyx Edition adds black exterior trim, gloss-black 20-inch wheels, StarTex water-repellent upholstery, a heated steering wheel, keyless access, a power rear gate, LED fog lights, and Reverse Automatic Braking.
Did the 2022 Subaru Ascent get a new engine or AWD system?
No, the 2022 Ascent keeps the prior year's turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and standard AWD. The new Onyx Edition uses the same basic powertrain as the rest of the lineup.
Is the 2022 Subaru Ascent meaningfully different from the 2021 model?
Not unless the Onyx Edition is the version you want. The rest of the 2022 lineup changes very little from 2021, so the darker styling and easy-clean upholstery of the new trim are the main reasons to favor this model year.
2022 Subaru Ascent Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2022 Subaru Ascent.
4.4
2022 Subaru Ascent
(239 reviews)
“The Subaru Ascent is configured conformably for our needs, with space for grandchildren, our 85# dog, some gear, and a canoe on the roof. It is not too big to drive around town, yet big enough to feel safe & comfortable at highway speeds, unlike our Honda (doesn't) Fit.”
“If using this vehicle more for carrying equipment vs. carrying passengers, opt for the 60/40 middle seat instead of the captain chairs.”