2025 Subaru Ascent Review

Subaru’s Ascent is a compact crossover SUV starting at $38,795. The Ascent tends to get overlooked in favor of other Subaru SUVs like the Outback, Crosstrek, and Forester—so our review will help determine whether drivers should pay more attention to the model when shopping.

MotoPickers Rating: /10

This compact SUV has remained in Subaru’s lineup since 2018. It’s known for its strong resale values, off-road capability, durability, fuel efficiency, and cabin space without the bulkiness traditionally associated with these traits. While Subaru doesn’t sell as many Ascent units as models like the Forester and Outback, the Ascent tends to retain more substantial resale values.

There are no significant changes to the 2025 Subaru Ascent from its 2024 production year, which underwent a full redesign. The 2025 Ascent is part of the nameplate’s third generation, which launched in 2024. Its primary tweak includes dropping the former base model to streamline the lineup, which provides more features.

An initial evaluation of this SUV reveals performance perks like standard all-wheel drive (AWD), solid mileage, and a spacious interior with comfortable front seats. Still, our review will highlight some drawbacks we observed relating to cabin design, base engine performance, and handling.

Despite its strengths, the Ascent faces steep competition from rivals such as:

• Toyota’s Corolla Cross
• Honda’s HR-V
• Mazda’s CX-30
• Ford’s Bronco Sport
• Kia Seltos
• Jeep Compass
• Hyundai Kona

Check out the rest of our review below to see how the 2025 Ascent exceeds or falls short of its competition and whether it’s right for you.

Exterior spotlight

Subaru’s 2025 Ascent features an exterior that resembles Toyota’s Highlander. The front fascia has a balanced appearance thanks to elements like chrome trim and primary black coloring. Narrow contoured hood lines give this Subaru some additional character, and the air curtains are well-placed. The sides utilize a line just below the windows pointing upward towards the back—a popular design choice nowadays.

Side rocker panels blend seamlessly with flared wheel arches that aren’t overly dramatic. Nissan’s 2024 Ariya is an example of an SUV with flared wheel arches that could benefit from a subtler approach. Both the headlights and taillights have unique shapes, distinguishing this model from competitors. Subaru has made the power rear gate feature with an automatic opening function standard for the 2025 Ascent.

Wheel sizes measure from 18” to 20”, with trims like the Ascent Onyx Edition Touring containing 20” black-finish wheels and Crystal Black Silica trim accents, and the Ascent Bronze Edition sporting 20-inch bronze-finish wheels alongside bronze/black exterior accents. A competitive 8.7” ground clearance aids the 2025 Ascent’s off-road capabilities while available LED tech enhances the steering responsive headlights and fog lights.

Outside of the entry-level Premium grade, side mirrors are power-folding, with the Crystal Black Silica-finish side mirrors with integrated turn signals containing the sleekest design. Chrome door handles are standard for the Touring trim, and a power tilt/sliding panoramic glass moonroof is present on all variants except the Premium 7-seater and 8-seater. Raised roof rails increase cargo capacity beyond the standard rear storage area, which we’ll explore during our review’s next section.

Regarding the competition, vehicles like Toyota’s Corolla Cross and Honda’s HR-V have plainer exteriors, despite Subaru’s reputation for leaning toward straightforward ruggedness. Mazda’s CX-30’s rocker panels are more pronounced, but its contoured lines give the Ascent a run for its money.

Interior close-up

The 2025 Ascent contains three rows of seating accommodating seven to eight passengers. Upholstery includes cloth, StarTex water-repellant synthetic leather, leather-trimmed, Nappa leather-trimmed selections, and the total passenger room of up to 153.2 cubic feet (cu. ft.) is more than Mazda’s CX-90 and Toyota’s Highlander. Regarding the third row, these passengers get 31.7” of legroom, beating Kia’s Telluride, Hyundai’s Palisade, and Toyota’s Highlander.

Second-row captain’s chairs are optional, which would reduce the interior’s seating capacity to seven but increase third-row accessibility. Rear cargo space measures 17.8 cu. ft. behind the third row, 43.5 cu. ft. behind the second row, and 75.6 cu. ft. behind the third row. The already-roomy cabin is complemented by the optional 54” panoramic moonroof, which provides an open, airy feel. Front seats are comfortable enough for long-distance drives, and the driver’s seat has an 8-way power-adjustable design.

Power adjustable driver and front passenger seats are available, but heated seats are standard within all trims—which isn’t as common as you’d expect nowadays. You can also equip the front seats with ventilation and the second-row outboard seats with heating. This SUV has more than enough cup holders at 19.

While the above features indicate a well-rounded cabin, they can be overshadowed by options like tan upholstery, which can make the interior seem a bit basic. The cabin also isolates less noise than some competitors at highway speeds.

If you’re prioritizing a three-row SUV for additional passenger capacity, you’ll want to look past:

• Toyota’s Corolla Cross
• Honda’s CR-V
• Mazda’s CX-30
• Ford’s Bronco Sport
• Kia’s Seltos
• Jeep’s Compass
• Hyundai’s Kona

Still, those seeking a consistently quiet cabin at higher driving speeds will find that Hyundai’s Kona and Mazda’s CX-30 outperform the Ascent.

Power and performance

All 2025 Ascent models are powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC turbocharged engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel economy is decent at 19-20 MPG in the city and 25-26 MPG on the highway, which is about equivalent to competitors like Honda’s Pilot and Kia’s Telluride. Preset drive modes include Intelligent for optimizing mileage, Sport for areas like highways, and Sport Sharp for the best handling, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is present in all grades.

This Subaru is more capable off-road than most of its rivals thanks to standard features like Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which transfers power to wheels with the most grip during slippage. There’s also standard X-MODE, which reduces individual wheelspin. For those who live in areas with more challenging terrain, Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring trims have dual-function X-MODE with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes.

Symmetrical AWD balances the 2025 Ascent with its placement along its centerline, creating better weight distribution, and Active Torque Vectoring applies brake power to the inside front wheel to improve performance in areas like cornering. Still, handling feels vague. An exceptional 5,000-lb. towing capacity helps compensate for the light steering, and you won’t have to worry about slow acceleration from the standard powertrain.

Competitors with less standard horsepower include:

• Kia’s Seltos (146 horsepower)
• Hyundai Kona (147 horsepower)
• Honda’s HR-V (158 horsepower)
• Toyota’s Corolla Cross (169 horsepower)
• Ford’s Bronco Sport (181 horsepower)
• Mazda’s CX-30 (191 horsepower)
• Jeep’s Compass (200 horsepower)

Rivals with the best fuel economy are Hyundai’s Kona and Kia’s Seltos, but you’ll have to sacrifice power that you may want for instances like highway overtakes. AWD is standard on the Mazda CX-30, Ford Bronco Sport, and Jeep’s Compass. However, you’ll find that AWD is optional instead of standard with the Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Kona.

Tech overview

The 2025 Ascent contains a standard 11.6” touchscreen with sought-after features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While these features are valuable, the touchscreen’s vertical configuration might present a learning curve compared to the traditional horizontal variety, and the two air vents directly flanking the screen might not be everybody’s cup of tea visually. Like most vehicles in this class, navigation and in-vehicle Wi-Fi are optional.

There’s a standard six-speaker sound system in the Ascent, but you can get higher-quality audio with the optional Harman Kardon QuantumLogic surround sound system, which has 14 speakers, 792 watts of power, and a subwoofer. This Harman Kardon audio system also has Clari-Fi tech optimizing audio fidelity for clearer sound.

Subaru follows the industry standard of including an auto-dimming rearview mirror that automatically adjusts to reduce glare from other vehicle headlights but goes one step further by making the feature standard across the lineup. Separate standard features are steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, tri-zone climate control with vents in all three rows, and second-row climate controls.

A neat available tech feature is Cabin Connect, which projects the front passengers’ voices to the third row via speakers. Memory settings in certain trims cover the driver’s seat and power mirror preferences.

Many drivers prioritize display sizes, underscoring the importance of evaluating competing options. Toyota’s Corolla Cross, Honda’s HR-V, Mazda’s CX-30, Ford’s Bronco Sport, Kia’s Seltos, Jeep’s Compass, and Hyundai’s Kona all contain smaller standard touchscreen than the 2025 Ascent, forcing drivers to opt for higher trims to attain larger displays. The 2025 Ascent also beats these competitors with its optional audio system’s number of speakers.

Toyota’s Corolla Cross is the only Ascent rival with a third-row option, and it falls short of this Subaru with dual-zone climate control instead of tri-zone.

Safety capabilities

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has not yet rated the 2025 Ascent’s passenger crash protection capabilities. However, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), which also evaluates vehicle crash protection, awarded the 2025 Ascent its highest grade of five stars. The IIHS gave the 2024 Ascent its peak rating of Top Safety Pick+, and a rating for the 2025 production year is likely around the corner.

Many of the 2025 Ascent’s most capable standard safety features are grouped under the EyeSight driver-assist tech suite, which has:

• Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering
• Pre-collision Braking
• Lane Departure and Sway Warning
• Lane Keep Assist
• Automatic Emergency Steering

IAdvanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering uses automatic braking and acceleration to keep you at a safe distance from the vehicle you’re following while moving at a preset speed, and the Lane Centering portion does as its name suggests with continuous automatic steering assistance. Lane Departure and Sway Warning provide audible and visual alerts during drifting, while Lane Keep Assist initiates brief automatic emergency steering when crossing a lane’s boundaries instead of continually.

Standard Subaru STARLINK safety features include but aren’t limited to:

• Automatic Collision Notification
• SOS Emergency Assistance
• Enhanced Roadside Assistance
• Maintenance Notifications
• Monthly Vehicle Health Report
• Diagnostic Alerts
• Remote Engine Start with climate control
• Remote Lock/Unlock
• Concierge services

You’ll also receive auto on/off high beams for more seamless nighttime accommodation of other cars, Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking, and a Rear-Vision Camera with a washer. Reverse automatic braking is especially significant as a standard feature, given that many vehicles in this class have rear parking sensors without autonomous braking.

The available Surround View Monitor gives you 360-degree views around your vehicle for a better perspective on your immediate surroundings, while the optional DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System watches for distracted driving patterns like drowsiness before prompting a driver break via the dashboard and audible alert.

Trim guide and owner considerations

Below is a list of the 2025 Ascent’s six trims (eight if you count seating capacity differences as a separate trim), their starting prices, and some distinguishing features for each grade.

Ascent Premium (seven-passenger or eight-passenger) – $38,795

Yes, you read the heading correctly in that the seven or eight passenger Ascent trims are the equivalent price. The base grade gives you a fuel economy of 20/26 city/highway MPG, AWD, and 260 horsepower.

Onyx Edition (seven-passenger) – $42,195

A power-sliding panoramic moonroof, second-row captain’s chairs, and 20” alloy wheels are standard with the Onyx Edition.

Limited (seven-passenger or eight-passenger) – $45,995

The Limited trim gets leather-trimmed upholstery, driver/side mirror memory for settings, and navigation.

Bronze Edition (seven-passenger) – $46,995

Heated second-row outboard seats and a heated steering wheel helps the Bronze Edition establish its value.

Touring (seven-passenger) – $48,995

The Touring grade is equipped with 20” dark gray machine finish aluminum-alloy wheels, chrome door handles, and Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery.

Onyx Edition (seven‑passenger) – $49,995

This peak Ascent trim features Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and the upgraded audio system.

Warranty info

Subaru offers 2025 Ascent buyers a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first, and a five-year or 60,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Final verdict

While Subaru’s 2025 Ascent is equipped with a quality amount of standard safety, tech, and design features, it’s worth noting that these perks come at a higher price than many of its primary competitors. Still, if your budget can accommodate the Ascent’s cost, you’ll also receive a more capable off-road vehicle than many of its rivals. The 2025 Ascent’s primary flaws are its light handling and relatively plain cabin, so weighing these cons with its pros, we’re giving it a 7.2/10 rating.