Power Liftgate

This available power liftgate makes packing for a serious adventure quicker and easier than ever—just hit the quick-release button on the key fob and you’re good to go. The liftgate itself features a lock switch, auto-closure and an auto-reverse function that’s triggered the moment contact is made with anyone or anything. You can also set the opening height of the liftgate through the stop-position memory function.

Substantial Ground Clearance

With a lofty 220 mm of ground clearance, the Ascent possesses authentic go-anywhere capability. Despite the ability to clear obstacles both large and small, this SUV also features excellent ride quality and comfort with the help of the long-travel suspension system. These characteristics combine to create a dual nature that’s perfectly suited to all types of road surfaces.

11.6-inch Infotainment System with Navigation

This premium AM/FM/MP3/WMA infotainment system features an 11.6-inch, high-resolution multi-gesture capacitive tablet-style touchscreen display with “what3words” GPS navigation. The system incorporates Bluetooth® mobile phone connectivity and streaming audio, a USB-A and USB-C control port, auxiliary audio input and steering wheel integrated controls. Also included is a free three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM^® Satellite Radio^† with SiriusXM^® Traffic^† and Travel Link^®†. The system also has wireless Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™ functionality. The Cabin Connect system allows clear communication from the first row to third row through the speaker system. The Limited and Premier trim models are exclusively equipped with 14 Harman Kardon^® speakers, subwoofer and amplifier. The SUBARU STARLINK^® Connected Services^† offering is included with this system on a free three-year subscription.

^† Subscription required

Three-Zone Climate Control

This intuitive three-zone climate control system incorporates separate controls for front-seat occupants, and for passengers in the second and third rows, ensuring everyone’s at the perfect temperature. Standard on all trim levels are the floor ducts and ceiling vents for both the second and third rows. Touring trim models and higher also feature rear HVAC controls for even greater comfort and convenience.

Heated Seats and Other Comforts

The Subaru Ascent brings the heat in more ways than one. All trim levels come standard with three-stage heated front seats. On Limited and Premier trim models, the second row gets two-stage heated captain’s chairs or outboard bench seats, depending on the seating configuration. A full-circle heated steering wheel is available for the Touring trim and higher.

Always on guard

The combination of the world-class Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time AWD system, surprising agility, superior visibility and class-leading technology makes the Subaru Ascent a case study in active safety. Next-generation thinking that powers the Subaru EyeSight^®◊ Driver Assist Technology, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Active Torque Vectoring and X-MODE^® represent the critical first line of defense—and the most effective way to avoid a potential accident in the first place.

360 Degrees of Visibility

The Subaru Ascent is engineered from the ground up to provide 360 degrees of visibility. The placement of the side pillars, the windshield design, elevation of the seats and generous ground clearance—everything has a role to play with this end goal in mind. These features are supported by advanced technology: the standard rearview camera, available front view camera with a near 180-degree view and available Smart Rearview Mirror, which displays the rearview image captured by another camera mounted on the rear hatch. New for 2023 is the available Surround-view monitor, which gives a virtual 360 view around the vehicle through various cameras located around the Ascent.

EyeSight^® Driver Assist Technology

This award-winning active safety system, which comes standard on all versions of the Subaru Ascent, utilizes two stereo cameras and a wide-angle mono camera to monitor activity on the road ahead, help identify potentially hazardous situations and provide assistance to the driver when needed most. This technology incorporates several different advanced active-safety systems: Pre-collision Braking, Pre-collision Brake Assist, Pre-collision Throttle Management, Automatic Emergency Steering, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Sway Warning, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Centring Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Vehicles equipped with EyeSight earn the highest possible front-crash prevention ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)**.

Smart Rearview Mirror

Available in the Premier trim level, this innovative mirror has two modes activated by a single switch: one mode sees the rearview mirror function like a typical mirror, the other mode displays the image captured by a camera mounted on the rear hatch. This feature comes in especially handy when there are passengers or cargo blocking the view out the back window, ensuring that the driver always has a clear view of what’s behind.

High Beam Assist

By automatically switching to high beams from low beams when traffic in the road ahead is clear, this feature helps ensure optimum nighttime visibility at all times. High Beam Assist is standard on all trim levels.

Reverse Automatic Braking

This technology detects obstructions behind the vehicle and automatically applies the brakes when it judges that the risk of collision is high. Another part of this safety system is the rear obstruction warning feature, which signals drivers using different alarm patterns according to the distance from the obstruction. Reverse Automatic Braking is available on the Touring, Onyx, Limited and Premier trim levels.

Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection System (SRVD)

This SRVD system has three distinct functions: Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Blind Spot Detection identifies vehicles behind the C-pillars and in other blind spots, while Lane Change Assist detects fast-approaching vehicles when changing lanes. Using a sensor in the back of the vehicle, Rear Cross Traffic Alert signals drivers while reversing that a vehicle is approaching from the right or the left. Available on the Touring, Limited and Premier trim levels.

Front-view Camera

Available on the Premier trim level, this camera captures a near 180-degree view of what’s surrounding the front of the vehicle. This image is displayed on the centre console screen, which can prove incredibly useful when parking close to an obstruction or attempting to pull out into an obscured intersection.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

The braking system includes such advances as Electronic Brake-force Distribution (which automatically adjusts front/rear brake pressure under different vehicle loads), Brake Override (cuts engine power when the brakes are applied) and Brake Assist (boosts stopping power in emergency-braking situations). Another feature, Auto Vehicle Hold, keeps the vehicle in place, even with the transmission in gear and the brake pedal released.

Steering Responsive Headlights

These standard LED headlights automatically angle in the direction of the corner to provide better visibility through the turns at night. The LED lighting system also casts a brighter and whiter beam than conventional headlights for improved illumination.

Rearview Camera

Standard on all trim levels, this system displays a crystal-clear image of what’s behind the vehicle projected onto the centre console screen. For an even more natural image that’s free of all distortion, the rear camera is located close to the centre of the vehicle and provides a wide-angle view.

Subaru DriverFocus^® – Distraction Mitigation System (DMS)

Available on the Limited and Premier trim levels, this award-winning system utilizes a camera angled at the driver’s face and facial recognition software to monitor fatigue or lack of attention. When the driver begins to lose focus, DriverFocus^® sends out a helpful alert, like an automated co-driver. The system is also able to adjust climate control settings by reading hand gestures. DriverFocus® also stores the preferences for up to five drivers, including the position of the seats and side mirrors, climate control settings and gauge readouts on the multi-function display.

Advanced Ring-shaped Reinforcement Frame

This robust frame design incorporates high-tensile materials and cross members, connecting the roof to the side pillars and the floor. The result is a super-strong structure that dissipates and diverts crash energy away from the passenger cabin. A front crumple zone provides further protection in the event of a frontal impact. And the rear structure is specifically engineered to deliver never-before-seen levels of safety for third-row passengers in the event of a rear collision.

Injury-reducing Seats and Seatbelt Systems

The front seats are designed to mitigate the chance of whiplash in the event of a collision and include height-adjustable front seatbelts, shoulder pretensioners, load limiters and a locking tongue design for added restraining strength. The position of the ISO-FIX/LATCH lower anchor bars has been optimized for easier use and greater security with child seats. There are up to 7 lower anchor bars and 6 tether anchors in the rear two rows, depending on seating configuration. The Rear Seat and Rear Seatbelt Reminders for second and third rows are standard on all trim levels.

Airbags

The Ascent features a full complement of supplemental restraints engineered to protect passengers across all three rows of seating. For the driver and front passenger, there are dual-stage deployment front airbags, a driver knee airbag and front seat-mounted side-impact airbags. The driver, front passenger, second- and third-row outboard occupants are also safeguarded by side-curtain airbags.

Break-away Drivetrain

The SUBARU BOXER^® engine and Lineartronic^® CVT both feature low-profile designs that are mounted low in the frame of the Ascent. In the event of a head-on collision, the engine and transmission are designed to absorb impact energy first, then break away from the vehicle structure and drop to the ground to prevent intrusion into the passenger cabin.

Front Suspension

The MacPherson^® strut-type front suspension features a long-stroke design, durable springs and tough mounts, all engineered for superior ride comfort. This design helps ensure tremendous stability, steering response and driver feedback. When paired with the 220 mm of ground clearance, this suspension system also provides excellent capability over rough roads and represents an inspired choice for all kinds of adventures.

Rear Suspension

The double-wishbone rear suspension system utilizes stabilizer bars for a smooth ride and a truly stable feeling, especially in the corners—rare for a mid-size SUV. The system has been engineered to create superior rigidity, decrease noise and reduce vibration, while improving control and stability. The rear stabilizer bar is mounted to the body instead of through rubber bushings to help reduce body roll, creating a composed driving experience.