The 2025 Subaru Ascent has arrived with two new trim levels. Here's what customers will find at Subaru retailers this fall. Should you buy now or wait another year?
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Are you looking for a 3-Row SUV that will handle extreme weather?
Subaru of America announced it will offer two new Ascent trim levels for the updated 2025 model year. They have arrived. Here are the latest details. Also, check out the new Ascent configurator tool here to build your model before you visit the dealer.
Watch our new video from Torque News' Youtube Channel about Subaru's three options.
First, Subaru drops the Ascent Base trim level.
Subaru says, "With the elimination of the Base Trim Level and the addition of standard features to Premium Trim, the year-over-year price increase for comparable content is just $340."
The Ascent Premium trim has new features and is now the entry trim level.
For 2025, the Ascent Premium now has a standard "Convenience Package," which has been repositioned in the lineup. Here's what the Premium trim comes with now.
- 5,000 pounds towing capacity
- Subaru Starlink Safety and Security
- All-Weather Package
- Power Rear Gate
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Second-row bench seat
Subaru has introduced two exclusive new trim levels for customers—the new Ascent Bronze Edition 7-Passenger 3-Row SUV and the new Onyx Edition Touring 7-Passenger 3-Row SUV.
Bronze Edition details.
Priced at $48,415 (including destination and delivery), the new Bronze Edition builds on the 7-passenger Limited trim and adds an exclusive bronze finish to the side cladding, front intake cover, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
On the inside, the seats are wrapped in black StarTex water-repellant material and contrasting bronze color stitching throughout the cabin. The heated leather-wrapped steering wheel has bronze stitching and a center-spoke insert in bronze finish.
Ascent Onyx Edition Touring details
Priced at $51,415 (including destination and delivery), the Onyx Edition Touring includes all the features from the Touring and adds the unique exterior and interior elements and 20-inch alloy wheels from the standard Onyx Edition.
Exclusive to the Onyx Edition Touring is the Nappa leather-appointed power, ventilated front seats in black with silver stitching, and the high-grade leather-wrapped heated steering wheel in black with green stitching.
The 2025 Ascent will also be available in Onyx Edition and Limited trims levels. Here is the new 2025 Subaru Ascent pricing.
The Ascent Premium starts at $40,215, Onyx Edition ($43,615), Limited ($47,415), Bronze Edition ($48,415), Touring ($50,415), and Onyx Edition Touring ($51,415). Pricing includes destination and delivery ($1,420).
All bets are off. You may want to wait another year.
With the presidential election, overall, bets are off with what Subaru of America will do now. Subaru is now at a crossroads with the Ascent 3-Row family hauler. If you are a regular reader of my reports, you know that significant and exciting changes are on the horizon.
Subaru of America has yet to announce the 2026 Ascent changes, but three things could happen.
There could be an all-new Ascent EV.
Subaru may bid farewell to the current Ascent family hauler, but the future holds promise. A new electric 3-Row SUV is on the horizon for North American customers, expected to debut in late 2026. With its eco-friendly design, this new model is set to redefine Subaru's 3-Row SUV segment.
Automotive News (by subscription) says, "Subaru's 3-Row SUV would have been due for a redesign in the second half of 2024, but work on the makeover has been delayed to determine what emissions standards in the U.S. will be over the next four years. The gasoline-powered three-row may be replaced in the lineup by the three-row EV built in Kentucky by Toyota, or it may follow the Forester and Outback and remain for another generation, with an optional hybrid powertrain."
Subaru's other options.
Subaru of America could drop the Ascent with the 2.4-liter turbocharged gas-powered Boxer engine, and its nameplate will become an all-new electric vehicle. If the current model is redesigned, it will get a new fuel-efficient hybrid trim level, following in the footsteps of the all-new Forester, Crosstrek, and Outback hybrids. You'll find my report here.
This new hybrid powertrain is expected to be more fuel-efficient, significantly reducing Ascent's carbon footprint. It's a promising step towards a more sustainable future for the Ascent 3-Row SUV.
The 2025 Ascent is now arriving in Subaru showrooms.
What will you do if you are considering a 3-Row SUV?
Will you buy the 2025 Ascent 3-Row SUV with a gas engine or wait for a new Hybrid model? Would you consider an all-new electric Ascent? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
I am Denis Flierl, Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. Before test-driving new vehicles in 2001 as a freelance journalist, I invested 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am also an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Competition Subaru
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Why Subaru has to stick all…
Why Subaru has to stick all its model to an ugly exterior design?
They should hire an European car designer that can come with a fresh layout.
Pretty much this is what Kia and Hyundai did and the changed from being grocery haulers to stylish cars.
I would be interested in a…
I would be interested in a hybrid Ascent but not EV unless it could go 325 miles on a single charge
Just brought a top end 2024…
Just brought a top end 2024 Ascent. I am neither interested in hybrid or electric, so no need to wait for a 2026. T
I would think they would do…
I would think they would do a hybrid version like Toyota is doing. I love my Outback but would buy a hybrid with 5k tow capacity.
We just bought a 24 Ascent…
We just bought a 24 Ascent Onyx Limited. We read of the trim level changes and wanted a higher trim level without leather. I don't care for leather for various reasons and love the Startec synthetic material. This is my second Subaru. Glad we didn't wait for the 25, super happy with the Ascent!
Until our country’s…
Until our country’s infrastructure supports an EV the way it currently does the gas powered engine, I’ll stick to hybrid.
We are currently leasing a…
We are currently leasing a 2023 Ascent. This is our 10th Subaru. Would LOVE to see a hybrid version to improve mileage, but would NEVER purchase a plug-in EV. I just don't think the infrastructure is yet in place for long distance driving ( Like cross country).
I own a 2022 Ascent Premium…
I own a 2022 Ascent Premium. On a cost basis I’m very pleased with cars safety features and gas mileage of aprox. 24.5 miles per gallon giving my acceleration patterns. Not excited at all about an EV model. Hi-bred maybe, but would miss the current engine.
Waiting to see if it gets a…
Waiting to see if it gets a Wilderness. If not, it's back to the Forester.
We just purchased a 2024…
We just purchased a 2024 Ascent Limited and love the vehicle.
We would have preferred a hybrid if it had been available but will never consider an EV.
Hope the 2025 is built…
Hope the 2025 is built better than the 2024. The 2024 is worse than rat crap inside a dumpster under the trash. The 2024 Ascent is tied for the worst vehicle I have ever owned. It’s cheap quality and horrendous design are right there with the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero and 2002 Pontiac Grand Am; both that were purchased back under the Lemon Law.
In the first 3,000 miles I had to change the A/C Blower Motor. A mouse had gotten in the vehicle through the wheel well and behind the dash where the blower motor is located (horrendous design). Since 1996 in 3 states, one other country, and a total of 10 vehicles owned over the years this had never happened until I bought the Ascent. By mile 5,000 I had to replace the first windshield. Windshield cracked while driving. Yes, I said while driving. No other vehicles around and nothing hitting it, it just cracked. That is cheap quality because I have never had a windshield just crack on its own. I’ve had things hit other windshields that caused cracks but not while just driving.
By mile 9,000, I had a 2nd crack in the windshield and I now have an annoying rattle coming from the rear hatch.
By mile 11,000 the plastic around the windows are starting to separate from the foam. Of the 3 other SUVs I’ve owned, this has never happened.
For a 2024, this is a horrendously cheap made Limited model.
Stay away from the 2024 Ascent and I would caution anyone looking at an Ascent to stay clear of it entirely. It is not worth the $46,000 purchase.
I am planning on buying a 25…
I am planning on buying a 25 Ascent, but have had a terrible time with the star-tek fake leather on my current 2016 Outback... so I have to buy the higher trim in order to get the Nappa REAL leather interior. Gone are the good all days when you could order a car custom built with which options you like. IF car companiese went back to that, they would certainly learn that people would be happier with selections made by the individual... more happy customers, more sales. HATE the star tek fake leather.