2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8 Passenger
The 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger model enters the spotlight as the new gateway into Subaru's largest and most family-focused SUV, with a starting MRSP of $40,330. With the previous base model retired, the Premium now kicks off the lineup with more upscale features, broader safety coverage, and tech upgrades that align with what modern families want in a midsize three-row SUV. It's a vehicle designed to grow with your needs-perfect for school drop-offs, weekend getaways, or spontaneous road trips with friends and extended family. Whether you're planning road trips, hauling kids to soccer practice, or tackling snowy roads in the Northeast, the Ascent Premium stands out for its thoughtful balance of comfort, versatility, and Subaru's signature all-weather capability.
Confident Capability, Standard Subaru DNA
As with every Subaru SUV, the 2025 Ascent Premium comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, giving it a rugged edge over many competitors that charge extra for AWD. Combined with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, this system makes the Ascent Premium a dependable companion in snow, rain, gravel, and everything in between. Under the hood, the Ascent is powered by a 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the drivetrain doesn't deliver sporty acceleration-0 to 60 mph takes about 6.8 seconds-it shines in real-world drivability and pulling power.
With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Ascent Premium is ready to haul boats, campers, or trailers with confidence. Whether you're escaping to the White Mountains for a weekend getaway or handling daily carpools, this SUV proves capable and composed.
What's New for 2025?
For 2025, Subaru made strategic changes across the Ascent lineup. Most notably, the base model has been discontinued, making the Premium trim the new starting point. This means more value baked into the entry-level package, including premium features like:
- Blind-spot detection with lane change assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- USB ports in every row
- Emergency stop assist
- Rear automated emergency braking
These additions make the Premium a particularly strong value in the segment, especially for families who want peace of mind and convenience without paying for top-tier trims.
The Ascent family also gains new members, including the Bronze Edition with bronze-finished wheels and trim, and the Onyx Edition Touring, which tops the range. However, for shoppers focused on practicality, value, and everyday comfort, the Premium 8-passenger variant strikes an excellent balance.
Interior Space and Comfort
Step inside the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium and you'll find a family-first design with clever storage, versatile seating configurations, and intuitive controls. As an 8-passenger model, this trim includes a second-row bench seat, allowing for a 2-3-3 seating layout ideal for large families or carpools. (Optional second-row captain's chairs are available on other trims, reducing capacity to 7.)
Despite being a midsize SUV, the Ascent manages interior packaging efficiently:
- Passenger volume: 60/52/36 cubic feet across front/middle/rear rows
- Cargo capacity: 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 42 with it folded, and 73 with both rear rows down
Comfort in the first two rows is excellent, with ample legroom, supportive seats, and a high driving position that enhances visibility. The third row, while adequate for children, is tighter than some competitors like the Toyota Grand Highlander or Volkswagen Atlas.
Standard features in the Premium include:
- Heated front seats
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Tri-zone climate control
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 19 cupholders throughout the cabin
A power liftgate with height memory is standard, easing loading and unloading in parking garages or driveways with low clearance.
Though it doesn't quite match luxury-class finishes, the Ascent Premium's materials feel sturdy and thoughtfully designed-more durable than dainty, which is exactly what most families need.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Tech-savvy families will appreciate the 11.6-inch Subaru Starlink touchscreen, now standard across the Ascent range. Its portrait orientation and responsive interface make it easy to operate, even with gloved hands or distracted kids in the back. Key infotainment highlights include:
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wi-Fi hotspot capability
- Bluetooth streaming and hands-free calling
- Multiple USB ports in all three rows
Though some rivals offer more customizable home screens or physical climate controls, Subaru's large display and clean layout make day-to-day usability a breeze. It's worth noting that all core controls, including HVAC, are housed within the touchscreen interface, which may take some adjustment for drivers used to knobs and dials.
Overall, the system is intuitive and modern-offering just the right amount of tech without overwhelming drivers with unnecessary complexity.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Safety has always been a Subaru hallmark, and the 2025 Ascent Premium continues that tradition with a robust suite of standard driver-assistance features. Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is included at no extra cost, combining:
- Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Emergency stop assist
The Premium trim also adds blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert, making highway driving and parking lot maneuvers safer and less stressful. A rear vision camera with a washer ensures your backup view stays clear in bad weather.
The Ascent earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and consistently strong results from the IIHS, making it a standout for family buyers. Combined with Subaru's symmetrical AWD and advanced stability systems, it's a vehicle that feels sure-footed and composed in challenging conditions.
Whether navigating icy New England roads or packed urban school zones, the Ascent provides drivers with extra confidence and reassurance behind the wheel.
Fuel Economy and Driving Experience
The 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium is EPA-rated at 20 mpg city / 26 mpg highway, putting it in the middle of the pack for fuel economy in the midsize three-row SUV class. In real-world testing, the Ascent exceeded expectations, achieving 28 mpg during a 75-mph highway loop, thanks in part to its efficient CVT and streamlined body shape.
That said, performance is a mixed bag. The 2.4L turbocharged flat-four engine delivers adequate power-especially for towing or highway merging-but it's not particularly quiet under load. Acceleration is respectable but not brisk, and the CVT can create a droning effect during aggressive acceleration. Around town, the throttle is sometimes too sensitive, leading to a slightly abrupt feel at low speeds.
Despite these drawbacks, the Ascent Premium shines in ride quality. Even with 20-inch wheels, the suspension filters out most bumps and road imperfections, delivering a smooth, family-friendly ride. Steering is light and accurate, making this big SUV surprisingly easy to park and maneuver in tight spaces.
It's not a thrill ride like the Mazda CX-90, but the Ascent delivers on comfort and confidence-two things that matter most to family buyers.
Value and Verdict
With a starting price of $40,330, the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger offers a compelling value in the competitive three-row SUV market. While it may lack the flashiness or sporty performance of some rivals, it makes up for it with practical strengths:
- Standard AWD and high ground clearance
- Robust safety and driver-assistance suite
- Comfortable ride and well-equipped interior
- Impressive real-world highway fuel economy
- Strong towing capability for its class
Subaru's brand reputation for reliability and safety adds further appeal, especially for families seeking long-term ownership. Add in features like heated seats, wireless smartphone integration, and a power liftgate-all standard on the Premium trim-and it becomes clear this isn't just a basic SUV.
Yes, the third row is a bit tight and the engine can be vocal under strain. But for buyers who prioritize safety, practicality, and all-weather capability, the 2025 Ascent Premium is a smart, value-driven choice.
Experience the Ascent Difference at Granite Subaru
At Granite Subaru, we invite you to experience the 2025 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger firsthand and see what makes it one of the most versatile and thoughtfully equipped family SUVs on the road today. Whether you're upgrading to fit a growing family, planning more road trips, or simply ready for an SUV that can handle New England's unpredictable weather, the Ascent Premium delivers capability, comfort, and confidence in every mile.
We encourage you to bring the whole family-kids, car seats, strollers, sports gear, and all-and test out the roomy, configurable interior for yourself. Explore how easily the second and third rows fold down for cargo, check out the clever storage solutions (like the built-in cupholders in every row), and feel the difference that Subaru's renowned ride quality makes.
Our knowledgeable team at Granite Subaru is here to answer your questions, walk you through trim levels and features, and help you determine if the Ascent Premium-or another model-is the best fit for your lifestyle. With competitive financing options, flexible trade-in offers, and a commitment to exceptional customer service, we make every step of the process smooth and stress-free.
Ready to explore your next adventure vehicle? Visit Granite Subaru today, take the 2025 Ascent Premium for a spin, and discover why so many local families trust Subaru for life's biggest journeys.
