2023 Subaru Ascent

Is the Subaru Ascent a good-looking car?

In Subaru tradition, the 2023 Ascent wears understated lines. It’s like a tall, fuss-free Outback. That’s neither a compliment nor a put-down. We rate it at an even 5.

Tweaks this year include new headlights and a revised front bumper with a broader chrome mustache than last year’s model, but you’ll have to compare the two side-by-side to spot the differences. Nice details include a chunky roof rack and big door openings. Wheel sizes start at 18 inches and move up to 20s on higher-trim models. A blacked-out exterior package is optional, should it suit your tastes. 

The Ascent is less different inside, though the new 11.3-inch touchscreen that takes up center stage arguably works better here than in the smaller Outback. The two-tier dash prioritizes button convenience and small-item storage space more ahead of design, which suits its mission.  

The 2023 Subaru Ascent is a competent cruiser that’s more maneuverable in town than some competitors. Its turbo engine earns it a 6 out of 10. 

Is the Subaru Ascent 4WD?

Yes, unlike most rivals, the 2023 Ascent comes standard with all-wheel drive. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Ascent offers a trifle more four-wheeling ability than its typical competitors, too. 

How fast is the Subaru Ascent?

The 2.4-liter flat-4 rated at 260 hp provides decent around-town grunt with enough passing-power reserve to make road trips stress-free. The engine can thrum at idle and snarl when underway, though Subaru promises some tweaks for 2023 may make it a little quieter. We’ll update this space if we agree. 

The CVT does a nice job of keeping the turbo in its power band for quick passing without the high-rev surging we’ve come to expect from this type of gearbox. 

Light, quick steering combines with a trim 38-foot turning radius to help make the Ascent an urban ace. Big tires with plenty of sidewall help do a good job swallowing up small road imperfections, too. While not especially athletic, the Ascent shrugs off winding roads better than some of its rivals.

Stretching 196.8 inches between its bumpers, the 2023 Subaru Ascent is on the small side for an otherwise big three-row crossover SUV. That means it’ll fit into many garages, and yet good interior packaging means it’ll also fit many humans—eight of them, to be exact. 

We rate it at 9 out of 10: one point for each of its first two rows of seats, a point for seating up to five passengers in good comfort, and another for a huge cargo area.

All but the base Ascent come with a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The passenger gets power adjustment with either synthetic or real leather upholstery, depending on the trim level. 

Row two serves up 39 inches of leg room with a choice of a three-piece bench or twin captain’s chairs. The full bench can handle three adults, too. The third row is a bit tighter than the Honda Pilot and VW Atlas, but it can handle a pair of adults for short stints. 

A hefty 18 cubic feet awaits cargo behind row three, which grows to 47 cubes behind row two and maxes out at 87 cubic feet. Small-item storage is top-notch, too, with plenty of cup holders and storage bins.

How safe is the Subaru Ascent?

It’s likely to hold up very well in a crash, according to the NHTSA and the IIHS. And with standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control, it should do a good job avoiding a wreck.

A five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS add two points. All that safety gear nets another. And the Ascent offers unusually good outward vision for a big SUV. It’s a 9 on the TCC scale.

Our only kvetch? The EyeSight driver-assistance suite of tech beeps every time it activates or senses something in its periphery, which can be annoying.

Subaru packs a lot into the 2023 Ascent even at its base price of $35,120. That money buys cloth seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a big 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Less impressive is the basic 3-year/36,000-mile warranty that trails some key rivals by a year or two. 

We land at an 8 out of 10 thanks to good standard fare, a fairly wide range of options, and that large touchscreen. 

Which Subaru Ascent should I buy?

Now that the base Ascent has a big screen, it’s arguably the best value here. Still, the $37,720 Ascent Premium’s blind-spot monitors, power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and rear-seat climate controls will probably be worth the extra spend. It’s also the gateway to second-row captain’s chairs, if those are critical. 

How much is a fully loaded Subaru Ascent?

Ascent Touring trims cost at least $49,420, which isn’t bad for a model fitted with cooled front seats, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, and a heated steering wheel. Some competitors are just getting started at that level.

Is the Subaru Ascent good on gas?

It’s not great, especially against some competitors with hybrid powertrains. Some gas-only rivals are worse, though. The Ascent rates 21 mpg city, 27 highway, 23 combined. 

That’s a 2 out of 10 on the TCC scale. 

At least the Ascent only needs regular unleaded fuel.