2026 Subaru Ascent

Subaru packs its all-wheel drive all-the time motto into a three-row vehicle accommodating growing families targeting American audiences.

Welcome to Ascent, proudly wearing Subaru's six-star oval logo under the guise of a three-row family-friendly crossover, the company's largest vehicle to date.

This is not Subaru's first attempt at a three-row crossover. Tribeca cruised dealerships from 2006 to 2014 with somewhat underwhelming results. Ascent designs upon Subaru's newer Global Platform showcasing bulkier dimensions than Tribeca. 

The mid-size Ascent arrived for business in the 2019 model year with a mid-cycle refresh onboard since 2023. Expect a much-anticipated second-generation debut during the next couple of years for Subaru's tallest-standing crossover.

For decades, Subaru's easy-to-recall "all-wheel drive all the time in all vehicles" differentiated itself from other automakers. Its advanced, proactive, symmetrical all-wheel drive system arrives with varying technology tweaks depending upon trim levels and transmissions. However, in 2013 Subaru debuted the low-volume, two-door, rear-drive, lightweight BRZ adding an unusual twist to its four-door lineup. It's the lone wolf within a pack of all-wheel drive siblings and a near twin of Toyota's GR86. 

Expect minimal updates from 2025 other than the introduction of a new exterior paint color (sapphire blue pearl) replacing cosmic blue pearl and the retirement of the Onyx trim entry. The entry Premium edition now sports water-resistant, easy clean Star Tex interior upholstery while the Touring trim (our tester) includes matte-finish woodgrain interior accents.

The sole engine returning for duty; a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering a competent 260 horsepower and 277 lbs.-ft. of torque. This 'Boxer' design, (also referred to as a 'flat 4'), employs a horizontally opposed, longitudinal-mounted engine with pistons lying flat at 180 degrees positioned low in the underbelly providing superior weight balance and low center of gravity. The straight line, or symmetrical format continues rearward towards the back differential which sits behind the axle. Several Subaru models offer this engine optional including Outback and Legacy. 

Think of Ascent's symmetrical all-wheel drive as a 'proactive' or permanent design, meaning it's engaged all the time (which Subaru markets as Active Torque Split). Many other rival designs choose a 'reactive' or part-time set up, where the vehicle travels primarily in front-wheel drive until detecting slippage, then shifts into an all-wheel drive format. During normal driving conditions, Ascent's 60/40 front/rear torque split promotes enhanced performance until wheel slippage detects through steering angle and yaw rate sensors. 

Gas mileage checks at 19 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway, average at best considering it's a four cylinder. Regular 87-octane fuel fills the generous 19.3-gallon tank.

Trim levels start with Premium and its $40,795 price tag. Running up the 2026 ladder, we encounter addition standard equipment in each ensuing trim: Limited, Limited Bronze Edition, Touring and top-shelf black-accented Onyx Edition Touring. Few stand-alone options offer up helping speed up the purchasing process. 

Our well-equipped Touring tester with dark Mahogony pearl exterior checked in at $51,165. With no extra add-ons, the bottom line reached $52,615 with a $1,450 destination charge. 

The upscale Touring includes such amenities as chrome-style side window framing along with chrome grab-style exterior door handles and a stately chrome bar traversing the length of the liftgate. In front, yet additional chrome strip travels east to west through the six-star Subaru logo. The elaborate power moonroof includes dual glass pane with a power sunshade covering the first two rows and an opening slide serving row one. Both monitor from buttons near the ceiling-mounted rear-view mirror, an area including a drop-down horizontal beveled mirror to keep an eye upon back row activity. The manual retracting beveled mirror drops down further to store sunglasses or other assorted eye ware.

Wheel wells include a large circular arch. Black composite framing surrounds these wells and lower door frames (sporting yet more chrome) and front/rear regions. The hood includes a pair of vertical lines/creasing extend forward until framing the oval grille logo. Curved creases start at the base of the A pillar and extend out towards the hood's front. Up top, raised, ladder-type roof rails hold up to 700 pounds of stuff. 

The sizeable grille bisected via the horizontal chrome stripe includes three rows of narrow side-by-side elongated ovals above the chrome and three rows below. A long, narrow air dam resides below with LED-style fog lamps (standard in all trims) gracing each end. All trims boast LED headlights swiveling in time with steering wheel movement resulting in a larger illumination swath around corners. Dual exhaust pipes extend near the far edges out back. 

All trims offer a convenient 8.7-inches of ground clearance, enough if gently off-roading while offering up a convenient height when exiting and entering. Some competitors choose ground clearance topping nine inches; good for off-roading but could inconvenience some everyday passengers. My mobility challenged in-laws found ingress and egress easy and convenient. All trim levels include a power liftgate standard with a wiper arm swiping up from the bottom and a topside spoiler. The power button operating the liftgate locates on the far side of the dash left of the steering column. 

Touring includes the choice of Java Brown Nappa Leather upholstery with silver stitching or Stately Black Nappa Leather with black stitching. Front buckets build in extra neck support in the form of whiplash reducing headrest. 

Ascent handles up to eight riders with its three-person third row, although those three travelers best fall into the pre-teen category as third row headroom remains tight for those six-foot one-inch and taller, but seatbacks include multiple reclining positions. Row two includes a three-seat bench with fold-down seatbacks; however, Subaru also offers (for no extra cash outlay) two premium comfort captain's chairs in row two (standard within Touring). If family dynamics allow, opt for the pair of free-standing captain's chairs. The third row includes a 70/30 manual backrest split that pull back into place from the liftgate area via a pair of functional old-school black pull straps. 

These second-row chairs include backrests tilting forward via well marked outboard seat levers or a slide release atop the seatback side (accessible from row three) upon which the entire seat easily slides forward with a gentle manual push. Seat backs may also independently fold semi flat onto cushions if requiring extra cargo space. Both second and third rows include ceiling reading lights in outboard positions. Our Touring trim included brown hued Nappa leather style trimmed upholstery contrasting nicely with the black dashboard and silver stitching throughout. 

Behind row three awaits 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space and a narrow storage area under the floorboard housing a retracting cargo cover when unused. The long sliding cargo cover snaps out of its storage cocoon and into molded wall inserts behind second-row seating when called upon. The temporary spare tire situates under the vehicle, rotating down if needed via an onboard tool kit. 

Subaru smartly builds molded single cup holders directly into rear side doors assessable from the Captain's Chairs with inboard-type narrow arm rests. Row three includes dual cupholders built into each outboard side frame. Ceiling handles mount above all four side doors.

The largely analog instrument panel features two circular outboard orbs with white backlighting and straight needles. The right-side speedometer includes a small fuel insert. In between, a portrait style, digital, multi-panel information center controlled via a push button built into the 9 o'clock steering wheel wing. Kudos for the simple, digital, N, S, E, W green lettering within the rear-view mirror signaling the vehicle's forward direction. 

Ascent offers two versions of X-mode, delivering maximum traction on slippery surfaces for added peace of mind. The base Premium trim comes with standard X-mode while all other models opt for dual-function X-mode for even greater stability (with additional snow/dirt and deep snow sections) summoned via the center touch screen. 

All trims include a multitude of safety features including side curtain air bags and driver's side knee air bags. Also standard, electronic stability control which Subaru markets as Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), monitoring steering angle and lateral acceleration, braking and engine torque minimizing spin outs. A sometimes-annoying DriverFocus distraction mitigation system reminds drivers through an instrument panel message to keeps eyes looking forward graces all trims sans Premium.

Subaru's tall standing Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) shifter and leather-wrapped handle between the front buckets manually slides forward and aft into each designated gear setting (P,R,N,D). From a layman's perspective, a CVT operates without a foot clutch similar to a conventional automatic transmission. Mechanically and unlike a traditional automatic with seven or eight set, planetary forward gears, a CVT utilizes an infinite ratio of spectrum points. 

Generally, a CVT delivers a smoother experience and less gear hunting/hesitation, with average-at-best performance results compared with a conventional automatic. If punching the accelerator from a standing start, one may encounter hesitation. Built into the Lineartronic CVT, eight pre-programed set points built into the extensive ratio selectable via steering wheel paddle shifters, mimicking a gear-like eight-speed automatic transmission. 

When cornering with purpose, one may encounter body lean, but forward on-road travel reflects a smooth experience with a suspension sopping up minor road imperfections. 

Centering the dash; an 11.6-inch multi-function, high-resolution touch-sensitive screen powered by Starlink, Subaru's in-house multimedia system including in-system navigation. Black vertical framing on each side includes quick-select buttons and twist dials. A volume/on off twist dial, driver's side up/down red/blue temperature push buttons, red hazard button and front defroster adorn the left black column frame and station pre-set, front passenger up/down red/blue temperature-adjusting push buttons and rear defroster call the right side home. Long, narrow manually adjusting air vents flank the screen all within a brushed-aluminum-type frame.

The bright screen includes swipe right/left capabilities but takes a few seconds longer to snap to attention when starting up the vehicle than other recently tested screens. The home screen employs fewer icons with less clutter than many rivals. Both USB Type A and Type C ports await Smartphone plug-in. Many rivals have retired from the Type A connection. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay arrive standard along with a four-month satellite radio subscription. 

Since its premier in the 2019 model year, Ascent's been assembled about two hours southeast of Chicago in Lafayette, Indiana at Subaru of Indiana's huge facility adjacent to Interstate 65; it's the company's sole production facility outside of Asia, operational since 1989. The Crosstrek and Forester compact crossovers also call Lafayette their production home. 

At a Glance: 2026 Subaru Ascent Touring
Price as Tested: $54,615
Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder
Horsepower: 260
Wheelbase: 113.8 inches
Overall Length: 196.8 inches
Overall Height: 71.6 inches 
Overall Width: 76.0 inches
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg city; 25 mpg highway
Curb Weight: 4,596 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Assembly: Layfette, Indiana