Don’t Buy The 2025 Subaru Ascent, You’ll Wish You Waited

Should you buy the 2025 Subaru Ascent? The 3-Row family hauler gets new trim levels, but here's why it's better to wait another year or two. 

Wait to buy the Subaru Ascent.

Subaru of America announced the 2025 Subaru Ascent pricing and upgrades, and you may want to hold off a year unless you need to buy a new family vehicle now. The 2025 Ascent arrives with two new trim levels this fall (read my report here), but Subaru still needs to give the 3-Row SUV a remodel. 

The Ascent remodel may or may not come next year.

Subaru is delaying all its next-generation SUV remodels. The Japanese automaker held off an extra year for the next-gen Forester (2025) and Outback (2026), and now the Ascent is delayed too.

Subaru's decision to potentially delay the Ascent's remodel until 2027 is likely a strategic move to avoid overshadowing the next-generation Outback's release. 

Subaru will likely ride the Outback's wave for a year before bringing out its remodeled Ascent. It makes sense from a marketing standpoint. But there's more to the Ascent story.

There's something else to consider if you want a Subaru 3-Row all-wheel-drive vehicle.

I reported in an earlier story that Subaru is now considering two scenarios for the Ascent 3-Row SUV, each potentially shaping the 3-Row SUV's future. 

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 2025. With its eco-friendly design, this new model is set to redefine Subaru's 3-Row SUV segment. 

Automotive News (AN) 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."

It's being built in collaboration with Toyota and will be manufactured in Kentucky. Get more details in my report here.  

The report from Automotive News (by subscription) says that if Subaru decides to drop the gas-powered Ascent altogether, the new 3-Row EV being developed by Toyota may assume the Ascent name. (depending on election results). AN says the all-new Subaru 3-Row EV will be built on the e-Subaru Global Platform and use batteries supplied from Toyota's plant, which is under construction in Liberty, North Carolina. 

The new EV is expected to offer impressive performance, a spacious interior, and a significant reduction in carbon emissions, making it a compelling option for environmentally conscious SUV shoppers.

Whatever happens to the Ascent, significant changes are coming for the 3-Row SUV.

Subaru will either drop the Ascent 2.4-liter turbocharged gas Boxer engine and become an all-new electric vehicle or if it redesigns the current model, it will get a new fuel-efficient hybrid trim level.  

Another possibility is a new Ascent Hybrid, following in the footsteps of the Forester and Outback hybrids. This new powertrain is expected to be more fuel-efficient, significantly reducing the Ascent's carbon footprint. It's a promising step towards a more sustainable future for Subaru's lineup. 

When will the new Ascent launch in the U.S.?

So, while Subaru may bid farewell to the current Ascent family hauler, the future holds promise. Whether it's the all-new Ascent EV or the more fuel-efficient Ascent Hybrid, Subaru is paving the way for a more exciting and sustainable 3-Row SUV lineup. The question is not if but when these new models will launch.

If you buy a 2025 Ascent when it arrives this fall, it's a good vehicle. Here's what you'll get—two new trim levels.

Subaru changed the Ascent lineup for 2025 by dropping the Ascent Base trim level. The Ascent Premium is now the entry trim level with new features. It's a good move by Subaru. The Base only had a few features most customers wanted.

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."

Subaru added two new Ascent trim levels for 2025: Bronze Edition and Onyx Edition Touring.

The new Ascent Bronze Edition 

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.  

The new Ascent Onyx Edition Touring

The Onyx Edition Touring adds unique exterior and interior elements and 20-inch alloy wheels from the standard Onyx Edition.  Exclusive to the Onyx Edition Touring are 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. 

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).

If it were me, I'd wait to see what Subaru will do with the Ascent family hauler. Significant changes are on the horizon that will affect your buying decision. Now you know. Stay tuned, and I will bring you the latest Ascent updates. There's a lot more to come.

Considering the potential improvements in the Ascent remodel, it might be worth waiting another year.

Are you looking to buy a Subaru 3-Row SUV? Would you wait for the Ascent EV or an Ascent Hybrid? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am 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: Subaru