I’ve always had a fondness for Subaru. Their cars and SUVs, with their unique AWD systems and performance-oriented Boxer engines, have always been thrilling to drive. In an age where the SUV is the most popular vehicle in the industry and comes in a broad range of variations, the models offered by Subaru are among the most impressive.
Today, I’m taking a look at the Ascent and its unique advantages that both drivers will enjoy. The Ascent comes with seating for seven or eight passengers and is loaded with tech-savvy items that provide entertainment and protection. Plus, with its standard all-wheel drive and impressive safety features, the Ascent is built to handle a variety of road conditions with confidence. By the time I’m done, you’ll be on the hunt for a Subaru Ascent for sale.
The Ascents More Than Capable Performance
Despite its size, the 2025 Subaru Ascent thrives on a scaled-down powertrain that takes the form of a turbocharged 2.4L Boxer engine. With this engine, drivers can expect 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Ascent’s engine pairs with a CVT to provide a smooth driving experience as well as dependable fuel economy. The EPA estimates that the Ascent will achieve 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway for a combined total average of 22 MPG. Subaru’s iconic Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is a staple on the 2025 Ascent, providing drivers with the capability and performance they need.
What I found most interesting about the performance aspects of the Ascent was Subaru’s attention to giving drivers the ability to embark on adventures like they were the Swiss Family Robinson. The Ascent comes with X-MODE, which allows for increased traction on multiple surfaces and hill descent control for the modern-day mountaineer. A towing capacity of 5,000 lbs means that the Ascent is great for recreational activities such as camping.
If you ask me, the Subaru Ascent embodies one of the unique characteristics prominent in many off-road-ready SUVs: the ability to be just as capable in the city as it is off the beaten path. Subaru injects the right amount of performance to get to your destination and travel farther in between trips to the pump. No matter where your destination might be, the journey will certainly be just as enjoyable.
Cabin Creature Comforts
With its three rows of seating and available second-row captain’s chairs, the Ascent certainly has varying levels of comfort. The adept performance of Subaru’s SUV aside, there’s a considerable emphasis on refined sophistication to be found in the vehicle’s interior.
Regardless of what seating arrangement you decide on, all trims of the Ascent come standard with heated front seats. The upholstery varies on trim, with base models having stain-resistant cloth. The Onyx and Bronze trims receive StarTex water-repellent material, making both trims ideal for those who spend their time embracing outdoor adventures. If luxury and sophistication are what you want the most, leather-trimmed seating can be found on the Limited trim, and Nappa leather is standard for the Touring and Onyx Touring editions. The Ascent comes with standard tri-zone climate control and is also highly pragmatic in offering drivers the necessary storage room, with 75.6 cu.ft. of available space.
Subaru has always impressed me with its ability to blend multiple variables together. When it comes to the Ascent, there’s a fine balance of sophistication and practicality that provides plenty of comfort while also fulfilling the basic duties of what many use an SUV for. The Subaru Ascent proves that you can have the best of both worlds in one package.
Connectivity Technology
When it comes to choosing an SUV that offers everything you want, storage, seating, and performance are all important factors to consider. In a world where we rely on various apps and technologies every day, having access to them when we’re on the road is crucial. Depending on which trim of the Subaru Ascent you wish to purchase, you’re given access to an intuitive system that provides access to a host of features that are necessary for your travels.
All trims of the Ascent receive an 11.6-inch infotainment screen that comes equipped with STARLINK, Subaru’s advanced software system, and 4G LTE capability. The infotainment system on base trims provides wireless compatibility with Apple and Android products, Sirius XM, HD Radio, and streaming audio via Bluetooth. Upper trims have a setup that includes navigation with real-time updates, which is suitable for drivers to enjoy taking the Ascent on the open road to adventure.
Base trims of the Ascent have a six-speaker stereo system. If you consider yourself a serious audiophile, then you’ll be pleased to know that upper trims come with a high-end system from Harman Kardon. The system, which features 14 speakers and a 792-watt amplifier, is far and away one of the best systems in its class. More trims of the Ascent are equipped with that latter of the stereo systems I mentioned, as it’s only absent on the first three.
Finding an SUV with plenty of items that enhance the overall driving experience isn’t a difficult task. Finding one that makes many features standard across most trims or easily accessible sometimes can be. All trims of the Subaru Ascent have the right amount of features that keep you connected, entertained, and informed.
Driver Assistance Features
Whenever I’ve been tasked with writing about a vehicle, I tend to save the most important items, such as safety and driving assistance features, for last. No matter what type of powertrain or interface you have access to, these pale in comparison to the items that offer you protection and oversight.
As the automotive industry thrives on trends, many of the items that adorn the various makes and models are similar to one another, albeit given different names. Therefore, when examining the features that come with each vehicle, the question becomes one of which items are included across all trims and what’s obscured by price. Luckily, Subaru has had the foresight to know that safety is important, and all trims of the Ascent come with the EyeSight driver assistance suite, whose comprehensive features allow for peace of mind.
EyeSight includes advanced adaptive cruise control, a necessary item for maintaining reaction time during highway travels, as well as automatic emergency steering and lane centering (Subaru’s lane keep assistance system). A pre-collision braking system is also included to help minimize damage in a collision and help avoid it altogether. Besides these items that are included with EyeSight, every Subaru Ascent also comes with reverse automatic braking, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety should never come with a price tag, and Subaru packs the Ascent with a broad range of features that are meant to keep you safe and secure wherever you go.
Final Thoughts on a Sensational Subaru
Shopping for a means of transportation that provides comfort, performance, and safety should never be difficult. The 2025 Subaru Ascent is by far one of the best choices for the current model year. More features standard across all trims and a powertrain that can facilitate travel in the city and off the pavement make it one of the most versatile offerings in its class. There’s no two ways about it: Subaru has ascended into the realm of SUV perfection.
