2025 Subaru Ascent

The 2025 Subaru Ascent, now available at Beyer Subaru of Alexandria, delivers impressive family-friendly features with three rows of flexible seating for up to eight passengers, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 260 horsepower, and 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, all protected by EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.

The 2025 Subaru Ascent stands tall as the largest SUV in Subaru's lineup, offering exceptional versatility for families and adventure enthusiasts alike. With impressive 5,000-pound towing capacity and flexible seating for up to 8 passengers, this three-row SUV delivers on both capability and comfort. Its robust turbocharged BOXER® engine produces 260 horsepower while providing competitive fuel economy up to 26 MPG and over 500 miles of highway driving range.What truly sets the Ascent apart is its outstanding combination of family-friendly features and all-terrain capability. With standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and up to 153.2 cubic feet of passenger space (more than Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-90), the Ascent is built for both daily commutes and weekend adventures. The Ascent's reputation for reliability is equally impressive - 96% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years remain on the road today, outperforming both Toyota and Honda. This exceptional longevity, combined with Consumer Reports recognition as a Recommended Vehicle, makes the 2025 Ascent a compelling choice for families seeking a versatile, dependable SUV.

The 2025 Ascent Limited Bronze Edition 7-Passenger

Includes these key features:

• StarTex^® water-repellent upholstery with bronze contrast stitching 
• 20-inch bronze-finish alloy wheels
• SUBARU STARLINK^® Multimedia Navigation
• Bronze-finish exterior accent trim
• Panoramic power moonroof
• Power Rear Gate

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is available in six distinct trim levels, each offering unique features and styling. The Premium trim ($38,795) serves as the entry point, available in both 7-passenger (captain's chairs) and 8-passenger (bench seat) configurations with standard features including an 11.6-inch touchscreen, 5,000-pound towing capacity, and comprehensive safety technology. Moving up, the Onyx Edition adds distinctive black exterior styling elements, 20-inch black-finish alloy wheels, water-repellent StarTex upholstery, panoramic moonroof, and push-button start.

The Limited trim enhances luxury with leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, heated front and second-row seats, driver distraction mitigation, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. New for 2025 are the Bronze Edition (featuring bronze-finished 20-inch wheels and unique accents) and the Onyx Edition Touring, which combines the Touring's premium features with blacked-out styling elements. The flagship Touring trim tops the lineup with ventilated front seats, upgraded leather upholstery, ambient lighting, 180-degree forward camera, and auto-dimming mirrors for the ultimate in Ascent luxury.

The 2025 Subaru Ascent comes standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, an advanced safety suite that acts as a second pair of eyes on the road. This comprehensive system includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, which automatically maintains safe following distances while helping keep you centered in your lane. Other standard features include Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management that can automatically apply brakes in emergency situations and reduce engine power when potential frontal impacts are detected. Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning work together to monitor lane markings and alert you if you begin to drift, even providing gentle steering corrections when necessary.

- Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, now standard on the 2025 model, warns you when vehicles are in your blind spots
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert helps detect vehicles approaching from the side when backing up
- Available 360-Degree Surround View Camera System provides a bird's-eye view for easier maneuvering in tight spaces
- High Beam Assist automatically switches between high and low beams based on oncoming traffic
- DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System can alert you if it senses you're distracted or drowsy
- Reverse Automatic Braking can detect obstacles behind the vehicle and automatically apply brakes to help avoid collisions

When comparing the 2025 Subaru Ascent to the 2025 Honda Pilot, several key differences emerge. The Ascent offers standard all-wheel drive across all trims, while it's an optional upgrade on the Pilot, giving Subaru a significant value advantage for buyers seeking all-weather capability. Price-wise, the Ascent starts at a more accessible $31,115 compared to the Pilot's $35,700 entry point. In terms of dimensions, the Ascent provides more front space with 1.2 inches more front legroom and 0.7 inches more front headroom than the Pilot, though the Honda offers better second-row legroom (40.8 inches vs. Ascent's 38.6 inches).

- The Pilot edges out the Ascent in performance with a quicker 0-60 mph time (7.9 seconds vs. 8.3 seconds) thanks to its more powerful hybrid engine producing 204 hp compared to the Ascent's 180 hp flat-four.
- Safety features differ significantly, with the Ascent featuring standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats while the Pilot offers driver and front passenger side knee airbags.
- The Ascent's higher ground clearance (8.7 inches vs. Pilot's 7.3 inches) makes it better suited for off-road adventures, as noted by reviewers who praise its ability to handle like a much smaller vehicle despite its higher stance.
- Both SUVs offer comparable cargo space, with the Ascent providing 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row and the Pilot offering 18.6 cubic feet.

Maintenance and Reliability Insights

The 2025 Subaru Ascent follows a straightforward maintenance schedule with service intervals typically occurring every 6,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Owners can expect regular maintenance to include oil changes, tire rotations, and multi-point inspections, with more comprehensive services at 30,000, 60,000, and 120,000-mile intervals that include brake system flushes and spark plug replacements. The total maintenance cost over the first 10 years averages about $8,803, which is slightly higher than the industry average for popular SUVs, though costs during the first five years are actually lower than average at $2,816.

- New Ascent owners benefit from Subaru's factory warranty, which includes a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
- Subaru's Complimentary Maintenance program covers the first 2 years or 24,000 miles, including oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections
- For maximum protection, many owners opt for the Subaru Added Care Gold Extended Service Contract, which can be purchased from any Subaru dealer (allowing price comparison)
- Experts recommend following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule and using dealer service during the warranty period to maintain the vehicle's value and reliability

Reviews and Owner Insights 

The 2025 Subaru Ascent has garnered mixed reviews from automotive experts and consumers alike. Car and Driver notes the Ascent's strengths in being "nicely equipped across the lineup" with "all-wheel drive standard" and a "generous safety suite," while pointing out drawbacks including "sluggish acceleration, noisy engine," and less spacious accommodations than some rivals. Performance testing revealed a 6.8-second 0-60 mph time for the Onyx Edition Limited, slightly slower than competitors like the Mazda CX-90 and Hyundai Palisade. On the safety front, the Ascent earned the maximum five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Owners frequently praise the Ascent's all-weather capability, interior quality, and safety features. One long-term owner highlighted the "excellent visibility, very sure-footed, responsive, relatively quiet, and smooth" driving experience. However, numerous owners report disappointing real-world fuel economy, with one noting they're "averaging 16 MPG combined (mostly city driving)" despite EPA estimates of 20 city/26 highway. Other common complaints include a touchy accelerator pedal, invasive engine noise, and some design oversights like the window lock disabling all controls including the driver's. Reliability has improved in recent models, with Consumer Reports adding the Ascent back to its recommended list, likely boosting future reliability scores.

The 2025 Subaru Ascent stands out in the competitive midsize SUV market with its exceptional combination of capability, safety, and family-friendly features. With standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive across all trim levels, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and a 5,000-pound towing capacity, the Ascent delivers impressive versatility for families who need a vehicle that performs in all conditions. The turbocharged BOXER engine provides 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, striking a balance between power for daily driving and efficiency with up to 26 MPG highway.

- EyeSight Driver Assist Technology comes standard on all models, offering comprehensive protection with features like adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane-keeping assistance
- Flexible seating for up to eight passengers with available captain's chairs makes the Ascent ideal for growing families and those who regularly transport multiple passengers
- X-MODE enhances traction on slippery surfaces, making this SUV particularly well-suited for outdoor enthusiasts and families living in areas with challenging weather conditions
- Available advanced features like 360-degree cameras and the comprehensive safety suite make the Ascent a top choice for safety-conscious buyers seeking modern technology in a practical package