Meet The 2023 Subaru Ascent With Significant New Upgrades And Features

Subaru announced the newly-refreshed 2023 Subaru Ascent. Here are the changes, upgrades, and new features for U.S. customers.

What's new for 2023? The 2023 Ascent 3-Row family hauler, in the fifth year of its life cycle, receives a refresh with new features and upgrades for U.S. customers. Starting with the outside, the 2023 Ascent gets a new look with redesigned front and rear elements.

Ascent gets a new front fascia with a more prominent grille, new LED headlights, and a redesigned front bumper cover. Subaru of America says the new front bumper cover features new lower-edge air ducts to improve aerodynamic flow under the vehicle. At the back, Ascent gets updated Konoji (C-shaped) taillights.

New safety technology

Ascent gets the latest version of EyeSight driver assist technology with a Wide-Angle Mono Camera. The new wide-angle Mono Camera works together with the dual-camera EyeSight system. Subaru says, "The additional camera further expands the field of view to recognize pedestrians and bicycles sooner when the vehicle enters an intersection at low speed. EyeSight alerts the driver and, when necessary, applies brakes to avoid collisions with crossing bicycles and pedestrians."

Ascent now features a new Surround View Camera featuring a 360-degree overhead view.

Technology upgrades inside

The 2023 Ascent features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, now standard on the 3-Row SUV. The standard Starlink 11.6-inch multimedia plus system, and new Cabin Connect enhance communication capability to the third-row occupants.

2023 Ascent gets improved all-weather and trail capability

A significant upgrade for the 2023 Ascent is the Ascent Onyx Edition, Limited and Touring gain standard dual-function X-Mode with Hill Descent Control. X-Mode functions include Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings to optimize all-wheel-drive performance for enhanced all-weather and trail capability.

Onyx Edition upgrades

Onyx Edition adds a new comprehensive options package that includes the Starlink 11.6-inch multimedia navigation system with Harman Kardon QuantumLogic surround sound speaker system featuring the new Cabin Connect.

Additional features added to the package are a 12-way power driver's seat with 4-way power lumbar and two-position memory, adjustable driver's seat cushion extension, a four-way power front passenger seat, and second-row sunshades and outboard heated seat positions. Subaru added driver-assist technologies in the option package, including a new Surround View Monitor and DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System.

The Onyx Edition also gains a standard panoramic power moonroof, which features a tilt/slide glass panel over the front seats, a fixed glass panel over the middle row, and a power sunshade.

All 2023 Ascent trim levels come with Symmetrical all-wheel-drive, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and a 260 horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged engine mated to a Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission, X-Mode, and 5,000-lb.towing capacity with standard trailer stability assist.

The 2023 Ascent comes in five trim levels, Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring. The newly-refreshed 2023 Subaru Ascent arrives in Subaru showrooms this Fall. Pricing will be announced closer to the retail launch.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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Photo credit: Subaru USA