For families, adventure seekers, and anyone who simply needs more room without sacrificing safety or efficiency, the 2025 Subaru Ascent is designed to deliver. With seating for seven or eight passengers, standard all-wheel drive, and a long list of advanced safety and infotainment features, the Ascent continues to be a standout in the three-row SUV category. It’s a vehicle that feels equally at home on city streets, winding highways, or snow-covered back roads—and it’s built to handle just about anything you throw its way.

Every 2025 Ascent comes standard with Subaru’s renowned Symmetrical Full-Time All-Wheel Drive and the turbocharged 2.4-litre direct-injection SUBARU BOXER engine. This powerplant delivers 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, giving the Ascent confident acceleration and strong highway passing ability. It’s mated to a high-torque Lineartronic CVT with an 8-speed manual mode and paddle shifters, ensuring smooth power delivery and responsiveness. Despite its size, the Ascent returns strong fuel economy, with NRCan estimates of 12.3 L/100 km in the city, 9.4 on the highway, and 11.0 combined.

Towing capacity is another key strength. With a maximum towing rating of 2,270 kg (5,000 lbs) on properly equipped trims, the Ascent is ready for small trailers, boats, or weekend toys. All models also come with Trailer Stability Assist, which helps maintain control in challenging towing conditions. Hill Descent Control and X-Mode are standard as well, giving drivers more traction and confidence on slippery or steep surfaces.

The trim lineup offers something for everyone. Starting with the base Convenience trim, you get LED steering-responsive headlights, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is also standard across all trims, and it includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure Warning, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

Stepping up to the Touring trim adds a panoramic power sunroof, power liftgate, proximity key with push-button start, and Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. This trim also includes rear climate controls and USB ports for all three rows—small touches that make a big difference on longer family trips.

The Onyx Edition adds bold black exterior accents, water-repellent StarTex upholstery, and unique badging, giving the Ascent a more athletic look. You’ll also get Dual-Function X-Mode for enhanced capability in mud, deep snow, or uneven terrain, ideal for those planning to go beyond the pavement.

For those looking for added luxury, the Limited trim features leather seating, a 12-way power driver’s seat with memory function, heated second-row seats, and an upgraded Harman Kardon 14-speaker sound system. The exterior benefits from chrome accents and 20-inch alloy wheels, enhancing the vehicle’s upscale presence.

The top-of-the-line Premier trim builds on that with ventilated front seats, a 180-degree front-view camera, and second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating to seven but significantly enhancing passenger comfort and accessibility. A digital rearview mirror and satin chrome folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals round out the list of premium features.

Inside, the Ascent makes excellent use of space. Even with all seats in place, you get 458 litres of cargo volume behind the third row. Folding the third row opens it up to 1,231 litres, and when both second and third rows are folded, maximum cargo space increases to 2,144 litres. That’s enough for road trips, hockey bags, camping gear, or home improvement hauls. Wide rear door openings and a low cargo floor further boost usability.

Safety remains one of the Ascent’s strongest selling points. Subaru’s EyeSight system now includes Emergency Automatic Steering on certain trims, and available Reverse Automatic Braking helps avoid obstacles when backing up. Rear Seat Reminder is also standard, alerting the driver to check the rear seats before exiting—an important family-friendly feature.

With standard roof rails across all trims, up to 19 cupholders, and thoughtful touches like multiple 12V outlets and USB-A and USB-C ports, the 2025 Ascent is built to accommodate the real-world needs of families and active lifestyles. It offers the all-weather confidence of Subaru engineering, the flexibility of a true three-row interior, and the peace of mind of top-tier safety tech—all in one refined, capable package.

Click the button below to explore the 2025 Subaru Ascent lineup, compare trims, and schedule your test drive today.

Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications at any time without notice.