What is the best trim for the Subaru Ascent?
The Premium trim is generally the best balance of value and features for most buyers. If you want the most luxurious experience and the latest tech, the Touring trim is the top choice; the Base and Limited trims serve distinct needs and budgets.
Understanding the Subaru Ascent trim lineup
Below is a quick breakdown of how the Ascent trims typically differ and which buyers they best serve.
- Base: The starting point with essential three-row practicality and the lowest price in the lineup. It covers daily driving and family duties but trims back on comfort and tech compared with higher trims.
- Premium: The recommended value leader for most families. It adds more comfort features, a larger infotainment interface, and upgraded safety and convenience tech over the base.
- Limited: The mid-tier upgrade that leans into nicer interior materials, a power liftgate, and additional convenience features. It bridges the gap between value and luxury.
- Touring: The top trim, focused on luxury and technology, with upgraded materials, a premium audio system, and the most comprehensive feature list.
In practice, the Premium trim typically offers the best balance of price, capabilities, and comfort for most buyers. The Touring provides the most refined experience if budget allows, while Base and Limited cater to different priorities like upfront cost or interior polish.
How to decide which trim is best for you
Consider your budget, how many passengers you regularly carry, and which features you value most — leather vs. cloth, upscale interior touches, and top-tier infotainment or driver-assist tech. The following scenarios are common guides to the decision.
- If price is your primary concern, start with the Base or Premium and add only the options you truly want.
- If you often carry a full or near-full passenger load and want more comfort, the Premium is typically the best compromise.
- If you crave leather seating, a premium cabin, and advanced tech, choose Limited or Touring depending on how much you’re willing to spend.
- If you want the most comprehensive driver-assist tech and the best audio, look to Touring, while keeping in mind the higher cost.
Bottom line: For a balanced package in most model years, Premium hits the sweet spot. Touring is your best bet for luxury and tech; Base is the leanest option; Limited is a middle-ground choice with more interior polish.
Powertrain and performance
All Subaru Ascent trims share the brand’s turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, delivering strong acceleration for its size. Transmission and exact tuning can vary by model year, but you’ll typically get a smooth, capable drivetrain designed for family hauling and confident highway passing.
Interior space and practicality
The Ascent’s three-row layout emphasizes passenger versatility and cargo capacity. Higher trims add refined materials and convenient touches that enhance daily usability without sacrificing interior room.
Technology and safety features
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard on most recent trims, with Touring models offering the fullest tech package and premium audio options. Availability and specifics can change by model year, so check the current brochure for the exact equipment on the trim you’re considering.
Summary: The best trim depends on what you value most: value and practicality (Premium), luxury and tech (Touring), or budget-focused basics (Base). Always verify the latest model-year configuration with a Subaru dealer to confirm features and pricing.
What are the weaknesses of the Subaru Ascent?
Common Subaru Ascent cons include poor fuel economy, a CVT (continuously variable transmission) that can feel disconnected and noisy, and brake issues like premature wear and juddering. Other drawbacks cited by owners are limited interior cabin width, inconsistent technology and infotainment, and engine noise, particularly under acceleration. Some owners also report issues with electrical systems, and despite a decent engine, some feel it is underpowered for the vehicle's size, particularly with its CVT.
You can watch this video to learn about the common problems and weaknesses of the Subaru Ascent: 52sNexologyYouTube · Sep 11, 2025
Performance and powertrain
- Poor fuel economy: Some owners report fuel economy that is worse than advertised.
- Underpowered engine: The turbocharged 2.4-liter engine is often considered underpowered for the Ascent's heavy weight.
- Noisy CVT: The CVT can cause a "droning" noise and a disconnected feeling, while competitors use more traditional automatic transmissions.
- Inconsistent throttle: Some drivers find the throttle too touchy at low speeds or sluggish at higher speeds.
Brakes
- Premature wear: Owners report premature wearing of brake pads and rotors.
- Vibration and noise: Complaints include pulsating or vibrating brakes and squeaking noises.
Interior and technology
- Limited interior width: Despite being a large SUV, the cabin is narrower than many competitors, reducing usable space for passengers.
- Frustrating technology: Some owners find the technology and infotainment systems frustrating to use.
- Driver assist system issues: In some conditions, such as heavy rain, the EyeSight driver assist system can shut down.
Other issues
- Engine and transmission problems: In addition to the CVT, other engine and transmission-related issues have been reported by owners.
- Electrical system issues: Reports include problems with interior lights and other electrical components.
- Repairs: Some owners report that repairs for certain issues, like replacing a windshield, can be expensive and trigger other cascading problems.
This video discusses several issues with the Subaru Ascent, including the CVT, brake problems, and electrical system: 1mFuel ForceYouTube · Aug 4, 2025
What is the order of Subaru trim levels?
Subaru offers five primary trim levels for many of its popular models, including the 2025 Subaru Forester, which has the Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trims. Each trim progressively adds more features and luxury to suit different driver needs in communities like Richmond Heights, Fenton, and Crestwood.
Which Subaru Ascent trim is best?
The best Subaru Ascent trim depends on your priorities, but the Touring is the top-tier option for maximum luxury and technology, while the Premium is often cited as the best value for its balance of features and cost. The Onyx Edition and Limited trims are great middle-ground choices, offering a blend of sporty styling or refined comfort, respectively.
This video discusses the 2024 Subaru Ascent, including its trims and features: 1mBen’s Car ReviewsYouTube · Sep 27, 2023
Top recommendation: Touring
- Best for: Those who want the most luxurious and feature-packed SUV.
- Key features: Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, premium Harman Kardon audio, panoramic moonroof, and advanced technology like the Surround View Monitor and Cabin Connect.
Best value: Premium
- Best for: Buyers who want essential features at a more accessible price point.
- Key features: Solid performance, advanced safety features, and a good set of comfort and convenience items without the high cost of higher trims.
Balanced options
This video explains the features of the Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition: 1mAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Oct 25, 2021
- Onyx Edition: A good choice for those who want a sportier, more modern look with blacked-out exterior accents and durable, water-repellent StarTex upholstery.
- Limited: Strikes a balance between the Premium and Touring, adding luxury touches like leather upholstery, a built-in navigation system, and other premium amenities.
- Onyx Edition Touring: Combines the Onyx Edition's style with the Touring's premium amenities, offering both a unique aesthetic and high-end comfort.
What is the difference between touring and Onyx Ascent?
The main differences are that the Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition focuses on a rugged, blacked-out aesthetic and durable StarTex upholstery, while the Touring trim emphasizes luxury with chrome accents, Nappa leather, and more premium features like ventilated front seats and a premium audio system. The Onyx Edition also comes standard with a panoramic moonroof and the Surround View Monitor. The Touring is the highest trim, building on the Limited trim's features to offer ventilated front seats and a premium Harman Kardon audio system.
| Feature | Ascent Onyx Edition | Ascent Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic | Blacked-out, monochromatic exterior accents and 20-inch black-finished wheels | Chrome exterior accents and door handles |
| Interior Upholstery | Durable StarTex water-repellent upholstery | Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery |
| Front Seats | Heated, but without ventilation or lumbar adjustment | Heated and ventilated, with power lumbar adjustment on the driver's side |
| Audio System | May not include the premium Harman Kardon system | Premium 14-speaker Harman Kardon® audio system |
| Mirrors | Power-folding side mirrors in Crystal Black Silica finish | Power-folding side mirrors with a satin chrome finish and a smart auto-dimming rearview compass mirror with HomeLink |
| Convenience | Panoramic moonroof and Surround View Monitor standard | 120V AC power outlet |
| Seating Configuration | Available only in a 7-passenger configuration | Available only in a 7-passenger configuration |
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Key takeaways
- Choose Onyx Edition for: A rugged, sporty look and durable, water-repellent seats at a lower starting price point. It includes luxury features like a panoramic moonroof and the 360-degree camera system standard.
- Choose Touring for: Ultimate luxury with Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, and a high-end Harman Kardon sound system. It adds more premium features like a smart rearview mirror and chrome accents, and starts at a higher price.
