DecodedCars2025 Subaru Ascent
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- Convenience 4dr SUV, Limited / Premier 4dr SUV, Touring 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 260 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 7–8
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 20 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 196.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,420–4,570 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 Subaru Ascent is a standard SUV offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,420 lb (Convenience 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 26 highway), 11% better than the 2025 standard SUV average of 19.8 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility.
What changed for 2025
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2024 Ascent — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Ascent →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Lafayette, Indiana
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Ascent configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convenience 4dr SUV | 196.9 in | 71.7 in | 76 in | 113.8 in | 64.6 / 64.2 in | 4,420 lb | 54/46 |
| Limited / Premier 4dr SUV | 196.9 in | 71.7 in | 76 in | 113.8 in | 64.6 / 64.2 in | 4,570 lb | 54/46 |
| Touring 4dr SUV | 196.9 in | 71.7 in | 76 in | 113.8 in | 64.6 / 64.2 in | 4,522 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +11% | $3,050 | 398 |
| Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +6% | $3,200 | 419 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Subaru Ascent SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17% |
Similar 2025 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Subaru Ascent (this car) | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 22 |
| 2025 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2025 Kia Telluride | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (1)
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jul 7, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
- Risk
- An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
Not every 2025 Subaru Ascent is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Subaru Ascent buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior — 2 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Visibility/Wiper — 2 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Structure › Body — 2 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 22,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Subaru Ascent. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Ascent years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Ascent | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Ascent | 22 | 196.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 Ascent | 22 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 51 |
| 2023 Ascent | 22 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 45 |
| 2022 Ascent | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 56 |
| 2021 Ascent | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 104 |
| 2020 Ascent | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 324 |
| 2019 Ascent | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 443 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →