- Key Specs and Onyx Edition Details
- Exterior: Strong Identity or Design Overload?
- Cabin Comfort and Tech: Unique Choices, Mixed Results
- Driving Experience and Performance
- Safety and Driver Assistance Features
- Competitive Snapshot
- “The Watchful Wolf”
In a wave of three-row SUVs, the Subaru Ascent stands out for its reserved Japanese philosophy, focusing on reliability and usability for families above all else. Despite strong mechanical credentials and smart comfort systems, it has yet to become a sales superstar. Is this the “best at everything” or a solid all-rounder overshadowed by fierce rivals? Here’s a fresh editorial reworking of the Ascent story, highlighting strengths and market realities.
Key Specs and Onyx Edition Details
Model: Onyx Edition 2025—sporty blacked-out trim, bold Onyx badging.
Price: $53,802 (with destination).
Engine: 2.4L turbocharged flat-four—260 hp, 277 lb-ft torque.
Drivetrain: Symmetrical AWD, CVT automatic.
Dimensions: 196.8" length, 76.0" width, 71.6" height, wheelbase 113.8".
Curb Weight: 4,421 lbs; Towing: up to 5,000 lbs.
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 21 mpg combined.
Exterior: Strong Identity or Design Overload?
Assertive front grille, black plastics, modern shapes, and high stance say “rugged family hauler.”
Distinctive Subaru headlight units and a functional turbo intercooler duct in the grille.
Lots of body character lines and cladding—busy for some, but it telegraphs Subaru’s adventurous DNA.
Wheels could be larger; the proportions feel dense compared to slicker rivals.
Cabin Comfort and Tech: Unique Choices, Mixed Results
Front seats: supportive, adjustable, and stitched in Subaru’s resilient fabric, with unexpected thigh support for tall drivers.
Matte-black, physical steering wheel buttons—a tactile and practical upgrade over glossy plastic.
11.6-inch vertically-oriented infotainment is stylish but lags with media controls and station switching.
Large physical HVAC buttons are welcome, but their placement and bulky plastic bezels look retro and cluttered.
Second-row captain’s chairs are almost as cozy as the front; easy third-row access, plus abundant storage and 19 cupholders (possibly overkill for most families).
The third row works for kids or short-term adult use, with rear USBs, speakers, and tie-down points.
Driving Experience and Performance
The 2.4L turbo gives respectable acceleration off the line (0–60 mph under 7 seconds), but the CVT drones noisily under full throttle.
Steering is light in town but sharpens up at speed—helpful in both city parking and highway confidence.
Subaru’s hallmark AWD gives surefooted traction on wet roads, snow, and even light off-roading, while ride comfort is tuned for family comfort over sporty excitement.
Compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-90 or Kia Telluride, the Ascent is composed and capable, but less thrilling or luxurious.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
Subaru EyeSight safety suite: pro-active seatbelt, lane departure, blind-spot, cross-traffic, and collision avoidance with automatic steering input.
Overactive warning chimes can be intrusive but provide peace of mind—ideal for safety-focused families or new drivers.
Surround-view cameras, parking sensors, and auto-park boost all-around security.
Competitive Snapshot
“The Watchful Wolf”
A big family chooses the Ascent for its safety and Japanese reliability. On rainy nights, every chime and warning reassures the kids—so much so, their youngest says, “It’s like we have a wolf watching over us!” The family laughs. Sometimes, active protection is worth more than luxury trimmings and horsepower.
