“Great comfortable ride with many safety features. Power and acceleration is wonderful.”
2025 Subaru Ascent: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2025 Subaru Ascent is a more upscale trim lineup, with the Base model dropped and new Onyx Edition Premium and Onyx Edition Touring trims added. It is not a redesign, and the turbo engine and standard AWD carry over.
About the 2025 Subaru Ascent
1st generation Ascent (2019-2026), third model year after the 2023 refresh.
Subaru positions the Ascent as its biggest family SUV: a three-row vehicle for daily family duty, road trips, towing, and bad-weather driving. What sets it apart is that every Ascent has AWD, generous ground clearance, and a strong safety story, so it leans more adventure-ready than many family SUVs. Subaru also emphasizes flexible seven- or eight-passenger seating, useful cargo space, and long-trip comfort, making the Ascent the brand’s practical choice for families who want space without giving up all-weather confidence.
The Premium is the new entry trim and the only version set up for either seven or eight people; it has heated front seats, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a power rear gate. The Bronze Edition emphasizes distinctive styling and easy-clean water-repellent upholstery, while the Touring and Onyx Edition Touring add luxury touches such as Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, navigation, and a smart rearview mirror.
What changed, by category
Styling
Subaru reorganizes the lineup around more style-focused trims. The Base and Onyx Edition Limited are dropped, the prior Onyx Edition continues under the Bronze Edition name with bronze-themed details, and Onyx Edition Premium and Onyx Edition Touring join the range with blacked-out styling.
Safety
Blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, automatic emergency steering, and emergency stop assistance become standard on every trim.
Tech
A power rear gate becomes standard across the lineup. The Limited gains a standard panoramic moonroof and navigation, while the Premium gains standard keyless entry and push-button start.
2025 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 | 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 | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic, High Torque & 8-Spd Manual Mode |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 19 mpg | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 25 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Horsepower | 260 hp | 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 | 277 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 72.8 cu-ft | 75.6 cu-ft | 72.8 cu-ft | 72.8 cu-ft | 72.8 cu-ft | 72.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in | 31.7 in |
| Seats | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 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 | ||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Third Row Seat | ||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2025 Subaru Ascent?
The biggest change is the reorganized, more upscale trim lineup. The Base and Onyx Edition Limited are gone, Onyx Edition Premium and Onyx Edition Touring are added, and Premium becomes the entry trim.
Did the 2025 Subaru Ascent get a new engine or AWD system?
No. Every 2025 Ascent keeps the 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, continuously variable automatic transmission, and standard AWD used previously.
What safety equipment became standard on every 2025 Ascent?
Every 2025 Ascent has blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, automatic emergency steering, and emergency stop assistance as standard equipment.
Is the 2025 Ascent Bronze Edition a completely new trim?
No. The Bronze Edition is the renamed successor to the prior Onyx Edition. It uses bronze-finish wheels and exterior accents, plus water-repellent upholstery with bronze stitching.
Is the 2025 Subaru Ascent substantially different from the 2024 model?
No. The 2025 Ascent has a revised trim lineup and broader standard safety and convenience equipment, but it is not redesigned and its powertrain carries over. The newer model year matters most to shoppers who value the added standard features or one of the new Onyx variants.
2025 Subaru Ascent Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2025 Subaru Ascent.
4.2
2025 Subaru Ascent
(9 reviews)
“This is a vehicle we built the way we wanted it and Subaru done a great job. It's well worth the money to get the best of the best if you're looking for a new vehicle.”