2023 Subaru Ascent: Seating for Seven (or Eight)
Does the Subaru Ascent compete in an already crowded field of 3-row SUVs? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more.
2023 Subaru Ascent – subaru.com | Shop 2023 Subaru Ascent on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 Subaru Ascent?
The Subaru Ascent gets some exterior styling upgrades for 2023 including a new grille design, reshaped headlights and taillights, and an air duct on the front bumper to improve aerodynamics. The previous infotainment display has been replaced by a vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard. The Ascent also gets some improved safety features and an optional 360-degree camera.
The Breakdown
Standard all-wheel drive
Lots of standard safety features
Comfortable ride
Noisy engine and cabin
Less cargo space than rivals
No V6 option
Lower trims need more convenience and comfort options
2023 Ascent Specs
- 260 horsepower from base engine
- 277 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 17.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 75.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Back-up camera with washer
- Cruise control-steering assist
- 3-year/36,000-mile warranty
2023 Subaru Ascent Powertrain
All 2023 Ascents are powered by a 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This provides more than enough power for getting around town, but for accelerating and maintaining highway speeds it lags behind its competitors with V-6 engines. The Ascent’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) does contribute to a noisier ride at times, but it is otherwise responsive and constant. The Ascent is equipped with Subaru’s trademark all-wheel drive system, making it well suited for driving in all conditions.
Though there is a lot of road and wind noise while driving on the highway, the Ascent provides a comfortable ride and absorbs most bumps and road imperfections. Steering is light and accurate, and the brake gives a firm but gradual response.
Curious how the Ascent stacks up to its V6 competitors? We did a Head-to-Head: Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot comparison that lays it all out for you.
2023 Subaru Ascent Fuel Economy & MPG
The Ascent is expected to get an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the top-tier Limited and Touring models lose 1 mpg in both categories.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
It’s no surprise that the Ascent made our list of Best SUVs for Passengers with its flexible seating configurations. Available with either a 60-40 folding bench or dual captain’s chairs, you have your choice of transporting seven or eight people. We like the captain’s chairs for their multiple adjusting levers to accommodate passengers of all shapes and sizes and for its ability to fold nearly flat.
The Ascent does fall slightly behind its three-row competitors with less leg room and cargo space. Behind the third row you’ll get nearly 18 cubic feet of storage, 43.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 75.6 cubic feet when all seats are folded down.
All trims except the base get a power-adjustable driver seat, but leather and power-adjustable passenger seats are reserved for the top trims.
2023 Subaru Ascent Entertainment & Technology
The 2023 Ascent gets a larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen. Unfortunately, this system is touch-only meaning there are no buttons or knobs making it a distraction for the driver. It does have large icons that are easy to see, and they respond to inputs quickly making this a little less of an issue, but still, we wish it were a little more driver friendly.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standard and a new Cabin Connect intercom feature allows the driver to effortlessly communicate with third-row passengers. This feature is only included on models equipped with the Harman Kardon premium audio system.
Safety Features
The Ascent earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Standard on all models is Subaru’s improved EyeSight safety suite that includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane keeping assist, and adaptive headlights. All trims except the base include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Subaru has improved these features with a wider field of view, an electric brake booster, and has fine-tuned the software making for a smoother operation under a greater range of conditions.
We go more in depth on all these features and more in our New Safety Tech Explained article.
2023 Subaru Ascent Trims & Pricing
Base – $35,120
The base Ascent trim comes with seating for eight, three-zone climate control, an 11.6-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and a six-speaker audio system. Standard driver aids include forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and adaptive headlights.
Premium – $37,720
The Premium trim comes with seating for seven or eight, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and upgraded interior materials. The Premium also adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and evasive steering assist. Standard for the Premium’s seven-passenger configuration and optional on the eight-passenger configuration is a power rear liftgate, proximity keyless entry and push-button start, and rear automatic braking.
Onyx Edition – $41,295
The Onyx Edition trim comes with seating for seven and adds water-repellent upholstery, 20-inch black finish alloy wheels, a black grille and exterior trim, rear automatic emergency braking, a power liftgate, and keyless entry with push-button start. Also included is a panoramic sunroof which made our list of Must Have Car Features.
Limited – $42,820
The Limited trim comes with seating for seven or eight and adds leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, driver’s seat memory settings, a four-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat, heated second-row seating, a heated steering wheel, second-row sunshades, LED fog lights, 20-inch dark gray allow wheels, and folding mirrors with integrated turn signals.
Touring – $49,420
The Touring trim seats seven and adds ventilated front seats, ambient interior lighting, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a Cabin Connect intercom, navigation, a 360-degree camera system, chrome door handles, a high-gloss black grille, woodgrain-pattern trim, and a panoramic sunroof.
Fall is a great time to buy with leasing options, finance offers, and other specials on 2023 and 2022 models. Check out our New Car Incentives article for a comprehensive list of all the available deals.
Warranties
Subaru offers a limited warranty that covers three years or 36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty that covers five years or 60,000 miles. There is no complimentary scheduled maintenance.
What we think
2023 Subaru Ascent – subaru.com | Shop 2023 Subaru Ascent on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Ascent is a small fish in a big pond of third-row SUVs, and we feel like more improvements will have to be made to keep this contender swimming. Going for the Onyx Edition is a must for us to get away from cloth seats and gain some basic conveniences like a power liftgate and push-button start. We’re just not sure its performance matches that price range, so we’d have to seriously consider its competitors that offer more power, space, and conveniences. Sorry, Subaru.
