The 2025 Subaru Ascent in review:
The 2025 Subaru Ascent aims squarely at families who value calm confidence over flash. Built in Lafayette, Indiana, it leans into a conservative look that stands out precisely because it doesn’t try to. The grille is modern without shouting, the body is clean, and the black wheel arch trim keeps it rugged yet tidy. Trims range from Premium and Onyx Edition to Limited, Limited Bronze Touring, and Onyx Touring, with wheel designs and accents shifting by grade. It’s a mid-size three-row SUV that seats seven or eight, plus a dog or two, and that honest usability is the point. The design may be quiet, but the packaging is deliberate: useful sunshade over the rear hatch glass, dual-exhaust style tips (one seems mostly for show), and a rear end that avoids trends that age fast.
Open the door and the theme continues. The dashboard mirrors the exterior’s restraint, but pairs it with a large infotainment screen that’s genuinely easy to use. Menus are clear, responses are quick, and physical interaction feels intuitive rather than gimmicky. Materials feel a notch above the price suggests, with supportive seating tuned for long days on the highway. The third-row headrests retract low to unlock a cleaner rearward view, a thoughtful touch when the cabin is full. With the third row up, cargo space is tight, as expected in this class, but the Ascent prioritizes passenger space first. Ride quality is the quiet hero here: it’s settled, compliant, and tuned for fatigue-free travel with kids, strollers, and the chaotic cargo of real life.
Under the hood, Subaru’s 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four brings 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, routed through a CVT. The boxer layout keeps the mass low, helping handling feel planted without making it sporty for sport’s sake. In daily use, the drivetrain combination works better than skeptics expect. Throttle response is crisp enough for merging, and the CVT stays calm instead of rubber-banding, matching the engine’s torque curve with minimal fuss. Rated at 19 city, 25 highway, and 21 combined, the tester returned 23.1 mpg over 340.7 miles, a solid real-world number for a standard all-wheel-drive three-row. Towing up to 5,000 pounds puts it on the right side of capable for small boats, campers, or a pair of ATVs.
Safety and stability round out the value case. The low center of gravity helps it track securely through sweepers and on-ramp cloverleafs, and it contributes to high safety scores that families care about. Subaru’s tuning targets predictability rather than edgy cornering, which is exactly the point for a people hauler. If there’s a wish list item, it’s space behind the third row; competitors like Traverse or Highlander can feel a touch roomier back there. Still, the Ascent’s comfort, visibility, and tech usability make daily life simpler. The Onyx Touring S brings a darker, more purposeful vibe for buyers who want a bit of attitude without sacrificing refinement.
Pricing spans a wide band, with a base model starting at $39,995 and the reviewed configuration listing at $53,802, against a base trim around $52,050 depending on options. That positions the Ascent alongside key rivals: Toyota Grand Highlander, Chevy Traverse, and VW Atlas. Each competitor has a calling card—space, crisp styling, or powertrains—but the Subaru counters with balanced dynamics, approachable tech, and standard all-wheel drive. For families who plan road trips and winter commutes, the Ascent’s quiet strengths add up. It’s the SUV you pick when you want to arrive calm, not dazzled, and that may be the smartest luxury of all.
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