Subaru Ascent

Stop-sale recall

In August 2018, Subaru recalled (at least) 293 vehicles that were thought to have faulty spot welds. Due to the complexity of fixing such a problem, the company said it would instead provide owners with new vehicles. Most were still in dealer inventory; only nine had been sold.[19] However, after physical inspection all 293 vehicles were correctly welded and cleared for service.[20]

Base model

The Ascent was the original base trim level. Standard features included all-wheel drive, driver assistance technologies, eight-passenger seating, raised roof rails, cloth seats, and a three-zone climate control system. The Base trim level was dropped for the 2025 model year.

Ascent Premium

The Ascent Premium was the mid-level trim of the Ascent until the 2025 model year, when it became the base trim. It adds a choice of either seven or eight-passenger seating by deleting the second-row bench seat in favor of individual captain's chairs,[11] a 5000 lb maximum towing capacity, blind spot detection (BLIS) with rear cross-path detection, and the All-Weather Package with heated front seats.

Convenience Package

The Convenience Package includes a power rear lift gate, keyless access with push button start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, as well as reverse emergency braking.

Ascent Limited

The Ascent Limited is the "luxury" trim level of the Ascent. It adds leather-trimmed upholstery, 20 in aluminum-alloy wheels, keyless access with push-button start, adaptive front headlamps, reverse automatic braking, and a power rear tailgate.[21] Optional on the Ascent Limited is a “Technology Package” which adds a Harman Kardon premium audio system, panoramic moon roof, navigation, and a cargo area cover. Second row captain's chairs are optional.

Ascent Touring

The Ascent Touring is the top-of-the-line Ascent trim level. It adds Java Brown leather-trimmed seating surfaces, second-row captain's chairs with seven-passenger seating, heated and ventilated front seats, rear sunshades, a panoramic power moon roof, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 14 speakers and 792 watts of total power. Inside, the Touring has wood door trim and interior ambient lighting.

For the 2022 model year, the Ascent received a new "Onyx Edition" trim level with unique black wheels, badging, and exterior trim. The Onyx edition also received water-repellent seat material. The Onyx Edition slots between the Premium and Limited trim levels and receives more standard features over the Premium, such as reverse automatic braking, a power rear tailgate, a heated steering wheel, and push button start. A single option package is available for the Onyx edition, which includes a panoramic moon roof, navigation, and a cargo cover.[22]

Model year changes (United States)

• 2020: A new rear seat reminder is made standard across the Ascent lineup, the Premium trim and above gets a one-touch lighting system to turn all the interior lights on or off, the optional rear power lift gate gets a "vehicle lo button", and new power folding exterior side mirrors are made standard on the top Touring trim.[23] The Warm Ivory interior color is no longer available with the Crimson Red Pearl exterior, while the Abyss Blue Pearl exterior gains an optional Slate Black interior color.
• 2021: Steering-responsive LED headlights with automatic high beams are made standard on all trim levels. They were previously only standard on the Limited and Touring and were not offered on the lower trim levels. In exterior colors, Tungsten Metallic is replaced by Brilliant Bronze Metallic, the Touring model is now available the Ice Silver Metallic exterior. The adaptive cruise control system was also updated, with lane centering assist instead of the previous lane keep assist. Touring models also received an optional Slate Black interior color, which gave a second interior color choice on the Touring trim, which was previously only offered in Java Brown. New self-registering TPMS sensors were made standard as well as the second and third row seats receiving seat-belt reminders.[24]
• 2022: Introduction of a new Onyx Edition trim level. The Autumn Green Metallic exterior color is introduced, while the Cinnamon Brown Pearl exterior is discontinued. The base "Ascent" trim level receives slightly updated wheels.[25]
• 2023: The Ascent received a facelift with a new front fascia, new LED headlights with high-beam assist, new C-shaped taillights, the 6.5-inch and optional 8.0-inch infotainment displays both have been replaced by a vertical 11.6-inch touchscreen display, improvements to standard features across the range, and the inclusion of new features such as Cabin Connect interior microphone feature.[26]
• 2024: Updated Eyesight Technology as well as new mirror design for all trims. Each trim gets integrated turn signals standard.
• 2025: The introduction of the Bronze Edition and Onyx Edition Touring trim levels, the Base trim was discontinued, and improved standard equipment across the range.[27]
• 2026: The Onyx Edition trim level is discontinued. A new exterior color, Sapphire Blue Pearl, replaces Cosmic Blue Pearl.[28]2023 Subaru Ascent, front NYIAS 2023.jpg

Engine and powertrain

The Ascent features a newly developed FA24 engine.[29] The turbocharged direct injection flat-four engine has a 94 × bore × stroke for a total displacement of 2387 cc with a 10.6:1 compression ratio. The cylinder block and heads are made of aluminum alloy, and the heads each have twin overhead camshafts driven by a timing chain. Peak power is 260 hp at 5,600 rpm, and peak torque of 277 lbft is achieved between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm.[30] Regular unleaded (87 octane) gasoline is recommended.[31]

Power is sent from the engine to a CVT with eight simulated gears. Then engine torque is sent directly to front wheels and variably to the rear wheels by a center multi-plate transfer clutch. The clutch is usually operated with minimal slip so that a torque distribution of 60% on the front axle and 40% on the rear axle is available. The transfer clutch control module can vary the power distribution based on driving conditions, up to a maximum rearward distribution of 50/50 front-to-rear.

Features

The Ascent introduced new technologies that were not currently available in other Subaru models, such as optional mobile Wi-Fi capabilities, and standard EyeSight driver assistance technologies (the system is currently available as an option on other Subaru models).[3]

A suite of new Starlink infotainment systems, first introduced on the 2017 Subaru Impreza, is available on the Ascent. The base system features a seven-inch color touch screen display, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Available features include integrated GPS navigation provided by TomTom, and an eight-inch color touch screen display.[3]