2027 Subaru Ascent

Price Range: $40,795 - $51,995

Average

The 2027 Subaru Ascent has a few things going for it, including a peppy turbocharged engine and a surprisingly high number of cubbies and cupholders. There's also ... actually, that's about the extent of the positives. From uncomfortable seats to a small cargo area, the Ascent has drawbacks that top-tier competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride and Toyota Grand Highlander don't. The Ascent isn't the worst vehicle in the class, but most rivals are better.Read full review

Rank #19

19 Midsize 3-row SUVs

This exceptionally rare deal is $154 below typical

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Subaru Ascent for Sale

2019

Pricing

Select year

Edmunds suggests you pay

$39,569

13 for sale near you

Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in OH thru 10/26/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in USA.

Pros

Generous ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive
Excellent outward visibility
Lots of cubbies and cupholders
Easy to get into and out of

Cons

Uncomfortable second-row seats
Acceleration is clunky at low speeds
Less cargo room than competitors
Oversensitive driving aids

What's new

No major changes for 2027
Part of the first Ascent generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Jared Gall

Updated: 11/8/2026

The 2027 Subaru Ascent is a three-row midsize SUV that competes with the likes of the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride and Toyota Grand Highlander. It combines signature Subaru traits like standard all-wheel drive and strong fuel economy with a comfortable, spacious cabin — spacious, at least, in the first two rows — excellent outward visibility and a 5,000-pound towing capacity.

Subaru also includes a lot of safety technologies as standard equipment on the Ascent. Beyond those systems, though, if you want a modern three-row SUV, the Ascent isn't it. Largely unchanged since its launch in 2019, the Ascent falls short of the class leaders in power, refinement and third-row space.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

Average

5.7

out of 10

We drove the 2027 Subaru Ascent on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

5.6/10

How does it drive? At our test track, our Ascent Limited test vehicle sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. That's slightly quicker than most SUV rivals including the Chevrolet Traverse (8.1 seconds) and Honda Pilot (7.8 seconds). We like the power, but the Ascent's continuously variable automatic transmission is slow to engage at low speeds, so you might notice a delay between pressing the accelerator and actually moving forward.

We didn't find the Ascent much fun to drive either. You don't get any feel of the road through the steering, and the Ascent leans a lot through tight corners. Emergency 60-0 mph braking performance at our test track was also worse than average for a midsize SUV.

On the upside, the Ascent rides smoothly over bumps. We also like the Ascent's thin roof pillars that give you excellent sight lines all around. But you don't get all the latest advanced driving aids in the Ascent, and the ones that are here don't operate as well as those in rival SUVs. For example, the lane departure warning system in our test vehicle got confused by the dark, painted-over lane markers used on roads that are being repaired. The driver attention monitor was also oversensitive.

Comfort

6.6/10

How comfortable is it? The driver is given top billing in the Ascent. The seat is supportive and nicely shaped, and all controls are easily reachable. There's a good amount of headroom and legroom, too, and there's ample seat and steering wheel adjustment for drivers of all sizes. The wide door openings and narrow sills also make it easy to enter the first and second rows. The air-conditioning system in our test Ascent was effective in cooling the cabin on a hot day.

Impressions are lukewarm from there, however. The third row isn't spacious enough for adults if you're looking to take a road trip, and road and engine noise is elevated compared to rivals. Curiously, the A/C system alternated between blowing warm and cool air for the first few minutes in the rear, after which the temperatures were the same as in the front.

The seats are an issue. Up front, the cushioning is quite firm, and you can feel the upholstery seams through your pants. The second-row seats are firmer still, to the point of being uncomfortable. The middle seat is punishing, with an excessive amount of lumbar support. The seats aren't nearly as bad in the third row, but the texture of the second-row seatbacks might feel scratchy on your knees.

In-cabin tech

7.8/10

How’s the tech? We're not particularly fond of Subaru's 11.6-inch touchscreen system — the interface is clumsy and hard to navigate — but the version in the Ascent seems to respond more quickly to user inputs than in other Subarus. So it's not very intuitive, but at least it's not pull-out-your-hair frustrating. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard.

We think the Ascent would benefit from more USB ports inside. Each row has two, but the majority are the older USB-A format, which aren't as powerful as the newer USB-C format. If you want a wireless charging pad, too bad; it doesn't come standard on any trim level, but Subaru does offer one as an available accessory.

Storage & cargo

5.5/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Ascent isn't as roomy for cargo as rival SUVs, especially when you're comparing them with their third-row seats folded down. Maximum cargo capacity is actually less than the Subaru Forester's, which is an entire size class down. We do like the Ascent's flat cargo floor that makes it easy to load and unload gear.

In-cabin storage is excellent. There are useful small trays on the dash and below the touchscreen to store your small items, as well as a big storage bin under the center armrest. The door pockets have small separators that prohibit the storage of large items, but you can fit several smaller items (like water bottles), and they won't rattle around.

The Ascent's 5,000-pound towing limit is average for the class.

Value

5.1/10

Is it a good value? The Ascent offers decent value for the money. We think the entry-level Premium is the highlight of the trim lineup due to its robust set of features and standard all-wheel-drive system at a competitive price. Because there aren't any options packages or many core trim levels, adding more features gets expensive quickly. There's nothing on the Ascent features list that's unique, but an available front-facing camera (for avoiding obstacles on a trail) is neat.

While the cabin materials are of a quality that was acceptable by the standards of 2019 (the year this generation of Ascent was introduced), they're outclassed today. Rivals — especially the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride — feel far more luxurious. The exterior door handles feel inexcusably cheap.

MPG

3/10

How’s the fuel economy? Most versions of the Ascent get an EPA estimate of 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The only exception is the entry-level Ascent Premium that gets an estimated 22 mpg combined. These estimates are roughly in line with those of non-hybrid competitors. During our real-world evaluation process, our Ascent tester returned an average of just 16.7 mpg. This leads us to believe that hitting the EPA figures in real-world driving might be challenging.

X factor

7/10

The Ascent is one of the older vehicles in this class, and Subaru hasn't updated it enough to keep it from feeling stale. But there are still a few reasons to consider the Ascent, even in the face of newer and more advanced rivals. All-wheel drive is standard on every trim level, and there are a bevy of drive modes you can use to optimize traction in different types of terrain or driving conditions. With ground clearance of 8.7 inches, the Ascent also rides higher than almost any other vehicle in this class. That means that rocks that might graze the underside of other midsize crossovers will pass right under the Ascent, making it the ideal partner for light adventuring.

Save as much as $3,500 with Edmunds

2027 Subaru Ascent pricing in Columbus, OH

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Buying Tips for the 2027 Subaru Ascent for November

Big supply and solid discounts make the 2027 Subaru Ascent one of the easier three-row SUVs to shop right now.

Buyers are paying about $2,600 below MSRP on average, and there are no general customer cash rebates to stack on top. That means the Edmunds Suggested Price sits around 5% off sticker. Trim discounts are pretty consistent, though the Touring and Onyx Edition Touring are a touch stronger at roughly 6% off.
Subaru has about 5,500 new Ascents available nationwide, so supply is plentiful. The Premium and Limited trims have the deepest selection, while the Limited Bronze Edition is scarce, so expect less flexibility if that trim is your must-have.
For financing, qualified buyers can get as low as 1.99% for 48 months. That is far below market rates near 8%, so it can save you thousands versus standard financing.
Lease shoppers are looking at roughly $440 a month with about $3,600 due at signing on a 36-month, 12,000-mile plan. Compare that against financing, because a strong APR deal can sometimes beat the lease on total cost.

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2027 Subaru Ascent trim level differences

The 2027 Subaru Ascent is a midsize three-row SUV available in five trim levels: Premium, Limited, Bronze Edition, Touring and Onyx Edition Touring. All Ascents have a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that sends 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive is standard on every trim level. Compare the 2027 Subaru Ascent trim levels in-depth.

Which Ascent trim level does Edmunds recommend?

There are no options or packages available for the Ascent. If you want more than one trim level has to offer, you'll have to make the leap all the way to the next one. Given this reality, the reasonable complement of standard features, including synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats makes a strong case for the entry-level Premium.

Competitors to consider

If you're looking for a commodious family hauler but are constitutionally opposed to a minivan, the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are two of the best choices you could make. Even their third-row seats are adult-friendly, their available hybrid powertrains return upward of 30 mpg, and their interiors boast distinctly upscale design while offering features like heated and ventilated second-row seats and a heated third row. The Toyota Grand Highlander's cabin is more conservatively styled and doesn’t offer a heated wayback seat, but it otherwise shares all the same attributes as the Hyundai/Kia twins.

Subaru Ascent Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

44 reviews

5(70%)

4(16%)

3(4%)

2(4%)

1(6%)

See all 44 reviews of the Subaru Ascent

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2027 Subaru Ascent Features & Specs

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$40,795
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$215/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2027 Subaru Ascent has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2027 Subaru Ascent

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Where the Subaru Ascent ranks:

#19 in Midsize 3-row SUVs

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Safety

Key safety features on the Ascent include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Acceptable
Side Impact Test – Original	Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated	Good
Roof Strength Test	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested

Research other Ascent years

FAQ

Is the Subaru Ascent a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2027 Ascent both on the road and at the track, giving it a 5.7 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2027 Ascent gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 44 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Ascent ranges from 17.6 to 17.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Subaru Ascent. Learn more

What's new in the 2027 Subaru Ascent?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2027 Subaru Ascent:

No major changes for 2027
Part of the first Ascent generation introduced for 2019

Learn more

Is the Subaru Ascent reliable?

To determine whether the Subaru Ascent is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Ascent. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Ascent's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2027 Subaru Ascent a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2027 Subaru Ascent is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2027 Ascent and gave it a 5.7 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2027 Ascent gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 44 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2027 Ascent is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2027 Subaru Ascent?

The least-expensive 2027 Subaru Ascent is the 2027 Subaru Ascent Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $40,795.

Other versions include:

Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $40,795
Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $40,795
Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $47,985
Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $47,985
Limited Bronze Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $49,095
Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $51,165
Onyx Edition Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $51,995

Learn more

What are the different models of Subaru Ascent?

If you're interested in the Subaru Ascent, the next question is, which Ascent model is right for you? Ascent variants include Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT), Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT), Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/8-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT), and Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/7-Passenger (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT). For a full list of Ascent models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$215/mo

$317/mo

Avg. Large SUV

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2027 Subaru Ascent

Pricing

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

Buying Tips for the 2027 Subaru Ascent for November

2027 Subaru Ascent trim level differences

Which Ascent trim level does Edmunds recommend?

Competitors to consider

Subaru Ascent Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2027 Subaru Ascent Features & Specs

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Where the Subaru Ascent ranks:

Check a dealer's price

Safety

Key safety features on the Ascent include:

IIHS Rating

FAQ

Is the Subaru Ascent a good car?

What's new in the 2027 Subaru Ascent?

Is the Subaru Ascent reliable?

Is the 2027 Subaru Ascent a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2027 Subaru Ascent?

What are the different models of Subaru Ascent?

Cost to Drive