Three-row SUVs are all the rage these days. In fact, they’ve become so popular that some brands will try to shoehorn a third row into vehicles that were never designed for them in the first place. The Subaru Ascent isn’t like that, though. The Japanese automaker brought this car to the market specifically to cater to those who want a serious people hauler. Review: Toyota’s 2026 RAV4 GR Sport Doesn’t Play By Hybrid RulesThe resulting product is one that embodies Subaru DNA throughout every aspect of its design. Despite that, and the popularity of this segment, the Ascent has never been a stellar sales success for the brand. In 2019, Subaru delivered over 81,000 examples, but since then, it’s never cracked 70,000 sales. 2024 was the model’s worst full year since its introduction, and things don’t appear to be getting any better. At the end of the third quarter, Ascent sales were down more than 25 percent compared to last year. To figure out how this reasonably attractive vehicle in a wildly popular segment is falling behind, we just tested one out for a full week. We drove it to and from sporting events, shuttled plenty of passengers, did some shopping, and even took it onto some gravel roads. This SUV has plenty to like about it – and that’s especially true if you’re a hardcore Subaru fan. Nevertheless, we think we have figured out the issue that really hampers the Ascent. StylingThe way the Ascent looks certainly isn’t its problem. It’s angular, rugged-looking, and our test car, an Onyx Edition, featured blacked-out badging everywhere. That includes wheels, a black roof rack, and some black plastic cladding. It’s similar enough to most crossovers that it’s likely inoffensive. It has some trademark Subaru cues as well in the light housing designs. It’s a small thing, but I really like the functional air ducting that cools the turbocharged engine. It’s hidden at the top of the grille and directs air straight onto the intercooler. Read: Subaru Gave The New Forester Samurai-Inspired Armor In JapanOverall, though, it probably feels a bit busy. The design brief appears to include notes like “isn’t there anything else we can put on,” and “let’s add a compound curve on top of this hard-edged belt line.” The wheels could probably be a bit bigger to fill out the wells, too. That said, it’s not as if most crossover shoppers rest their entire buying decision on outward appearances. Oftentimes, it’s what’s on the inside that really counts. Interior Experience Subaru really does approach design in its own unique way, and the Ascent’s cabin is a great example of that. The front seats aren’t the plushest thing we’ve ever seen, but they stand out in a crowd. They’re well-bolstered, supportive, and feature more adjustability than I expected. The driver’s seat even has a manual thigh adjustment for taller drivers like me. The center console has an asymmetrical armrest to accommodate both occupants in a way that is thoughtful for each. The upholstery and stitching throughout the car feel and look excellent. The steering wheel buttons are pleasing to use and eschew piano black plastic in favor of simple matte black. That’s a step in the right direction. The center control stack and dash also have their own unique design. That part is fine, but sadly, the controls themselves leave a lot to be desired. The 11.6-inch infotainment system looks good, and its portrait orientation is familiar; what’s frustrating is that it lags at times, especially when using the media controls. Switching radio stations quickly can send it into fits. Thankfully, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay both seem to smooth things out a bit. That said, the bezel around the infotainment system takes a step back into the 2010s with a ton of piano black plastic and big, somewhat unseemly physical buttons. Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy that they are physical climate controls – the digital ones near them are far worse to use. I’m just bummed that they look and feel the way they do. There’s a ton of unused space floating around them. That could’ve been where Subaru put the digital controls that they baked into the infotainment for some reason. Take, for example, the compact, clear, and simple way that the second-row climate controls look and work. Sure, the piano black plastic is back again, and there’s a huge pointless bezel, but everything passengers need is right there in just a few simple physical buttons. Beneath them are cupholders, power outlets, including a household-style plug, and a storage cubby. Speaking of cupholders, there are 19 of them in here, which just feels like complete overkill, but I don’t have kids, so maybe I’m just missing the math on that one. The second row captain’s chairs are every bit as comfortable as the front ones. They are easy to move out of the way for third-row entry and exit as well. They don’t fold down totally flat, though, no matter how hard you try. The third row isn’t really meant for adults, but they could hang out back there for a couple of hours if needed. Review: Is Cadillac’s New Vistiq The Baby Escalade You’ve Been Waiting For?They don’t have much in the way of adjustments, but there are plenty of cupholders, power ports, and storage spaces back there. Third-row occupants also get their own speakers in the doors, and owners will appreciate the tie-down points back there, too. Drive Impressions Under the hood of the Ascent is Subaru’s most powerful engine, the FA24, a turbocharged flat-four that displaces 2.4 liters and makes 260 horsepower (193 kW) and 277 lb-ft (375 Nm) of torque. Technically, it makes a bit more power in the WRX sedan than it does in this three-row SUV. That wouldn’t be worth mentioning if this thing didn’t weigh over 4,421 lbs (2,006 kg), while the WRX tips the scales at just 3,329 lbs (1,511 kg). Transferring the available power and twist to all four wheels happens through a continuously variable transmission. These factors combine to elicit some interesting things. First, the Ascent is quicker off the line than one might expect. It’ll easily do 0-60 mph in under seven seconds, though it’ll drone heavily and loudly the entire time thanks to the CVT. On the flip side, when already moving, it feels like it takes an extra second to respond to sharp throttle inputs. Even at full throttle on the highway, this SUV won’t ever feel spritely or brisk. It’s just another crossover with three rows, and I suppose that’s fine. On the plus side, steering feel is surprisingly good. It’s accurate, communicative, and doesn’t have much numbness on center. We also really like the adaptive headlights that make every night drive safer and more enjoyable. Speaking of turning, the Ascent feels solid from a handling perspective. Don’t get us wrong, pretty much any Mazda will beat it in a canyon carving competition, but if driving were the only thing that mattered, I’d rather be in this than something like the Hyundai Santa Fe. On top of that, having symmetrical all-wheel drive is a genuine benefit for owners who live in places with routine snow, sleet, ice, or even heavy rains. There’s a reason Subaru does so well in places like Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. For those who live in the big city or in the south, there’s still stuff to like about how the Ascent drives. Beyond its good handling, it soaks up bumps and broken bits of road with ease.Review: Why Kia’s EV5 Makes More Sense Than A Tesla Model YIt’s quiet, comfortable, and composed on all but the harshest of surfaces. On top of all that, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which puts it near the top of the leaderboard in the segment. The Nanny In The Front Seat The driving experience in the Ascent is one constantly monitored by Subaru’s safety warnings that, unfortunately, can become a bit too annoying. Don’t buckle your seatbelt within a few seconds of moving? It’ll ding loudly until you do. Oh, and that rule applies to rear seat passengers as well. Come anywhere near a lane line without a turn signal on? It’ll buzz and make audible warnings there too until you correct it, go a touch further than it would like and it’ll repeat the process to keep you off the other lane line. The warnings don’t stop there. This thing comes standard with evasive steering assist, so it can literally pull you away from lane lines if it thinks a crash is coming. It’ll ding if someone drives near you in a parking lot, and it also has blind-spot warnings. These are all very good technologies, and they can enhance safety, but the way that Subaru has set them up can seem a bit overbearing. At the same time, this SUV, like all others with this tech, could be perfect for your family member that really struggles to be safe behind the wheel. Even when you’re not in the car, there will always be a nanny in the front seat trying to get them to be safe and alert of their surroundings. CompetitionUltimately, this is the biggest issue for the Ascent: competition. There are lots of three-row SUVs on the market today, and so many of them have fully engaged in the arms race to the top. Subaru isn’t a brand that really does that. As a result, it’s fallen behind others in terms of luxury, power, performance, off-road capability, and more. Sure, it’s got a great four-wheel drive system, but it’s hampered by a listless CVT and an engine that could use another 100 horsepower or so. Read: Toyota Highlander Pricing Soars, Now Costs More Than The Grand HighlanderRivals like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Honda Pilot sort of seem similar on paper. In reality, though, they’re more luxurious, more spacious, and offer better technology. Many offer better warranty coverage or offer free maintenance. We haven’t even talked about cars like the Mazda CX-90, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, either. Each of those has a focused character that the Ascent doesn’t even try to emulate. The Mazda and Dodge are fun to drive. The Jeep is genuinely good off-road. Sometimes, it’s fine to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. In this case, it seems that the Subaru just doesn’t do enough things well to be at the forefront of buyers’ minds. Final Thoughts In the end, the Subaru Ascent isn’t a bad SUV. In fact, it’s perfectly fine. It’s great for drivers who sometimes need reminders on safety and it’s not wildly expensive, either. It’s just in a segment where the competition is fierce and unforgiving. Subaru has always tried to stay in its lane. It doesn’t push boundaries unless it’s making the Forester or Outback physically bigger than ever before. That attitude has seen it evolve from a little-known econobox builder to a well-respected mainstream automaker with its own unique fan base. For the folks in the fold, this is a solid choice. To everyone else, though, shopping around before pulling the trigger on a vehicle in this segment will prove well worth it.
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