DecodedCars2026 Subaru Ascent
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 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 · 19 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 196.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,420–4,570 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
- 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 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 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 (19 city / 26 highway), 10% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 20 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Ascent — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Ascent →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Lafayette, Indiana
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2026 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 | 19 / 26 / 22 | +10% | $3,050 | 405 |
| Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +5% | $3,200 | 421 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Subaru Ascent.
Similar 2026 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Ascent (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 36 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
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 2026 Subaru Ascent is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Ascent years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Ascent | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 Ascent | 22 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 15 |
| 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 →