2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Subaru Forester
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We would guess that most SUV buyers and Subaru enthusiasts are very aware of Subaru's legendary AWD systems, which provide excellent grip and handling and the ability to handle some rough terrain.
Choosing a Subaru SUV over other automotive brands may be the easy part. However, a problem arises when buyers need to choose between two popular Subaru SUVs that both offer go-anywhere capability, safety, and quality Subaru engineering.
Read on as our article examines some key areas of the 2025 Subaru Ascent and the 2025 Subaru Forester and what each model offers.
2025 Subaru Ascent
Introduced in late 2018, the mid-size 2025 Subaru Ascent continues to be Subaru's largest SUV. It can accommodate up to 8 passengers and has available second-row captain's chairs and a third-row seat.
For 2025, the Subaru Ascent is available in an impressive eight trim levels: Premium 8-Passenger, Premium 7-Passenger, Onyx 7-Passenger, Limited 8-Passenger, Limited 7-Passenger, Bronze Edition 7-Passenger, Touring 7-Passenger, and the top of the pile Onyx Edition Touring 7-Passenger.
2025 Subaru Forester
The latest 2025 Subaru Forester is an all-new sixth-generation model. The compact Forester SUV is a staple in the Subaru lineup and has traversed American roads and trails since 1997.
The 2025 model year trim lineup comprises five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and range-topper Touring spec.
Exterior Differences
Most notably, the two Subarus differ in size.
As mentioned, the 2025 Subaru Ascent is the largest Subaru available. Its larger exterior proportions accommodate its extra passengers within a body that measures 196.8 inches long, 76 inches wide, and 71.6 inches high, inclusive of the roof rails.
The five-seater 2025 Subaru Forester is compact, at 183.3 inches long, 72.2 inches wide, and with roof rails, up to 68.9 inches high.
The Ascent has a 113.8-inch wheelbase compared to the Forester's 105.1-inch wheelbase. The heaviest Ascent weighs 4,597 pounds, while the heftiest Forester tips the scales at 3,664 pounds.
Parked side by side, both models' exterior styling will differentiate them as expected; however, both offer standout exterior features.
The contoured lines of the Ascent set off with bold accents translate into a very stylish family SUV. Plentiful standard features abound, inclusive:
- LED Steering Responsive Headlights
- Raised roof rails
- 18-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels
The 2025 Forester has modernized exterior styling and an updated and stiffened chassis for more composed handling.
Key standard exterior features also include:
- LED Steering Responsive Headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- Raised roof rails
- Alloy wheels of sizes 17 inches, 18 inches, and 19 inch
The Ascent and Forester offer similar ground clearance of 8.7 inches of ground
The larger Ascent is available in up to eight exterior colors, while Forester buyers can choose from ten exterior paint colors.
Drivetrains and Performance
Subaru is known for its sophisticated AWD drivetrains, and both these models feature a Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, which is standard across all trims.
The Ascent is fitted with Subaru's 2.4-liter DOHC turbocharged Boxer engine that makes 260 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and torque of 277 pound-feet @ 2,000 - 4,800 rpm and paired with a Lineartronic CVT.
The Forester uses a 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm and 178 pound-feet of torque @ 3,700 rpm. It is coupled with a Lineartronic CVT with low shift mode or Lineartronic CVT with 8-speed manual mode on upper trims.
The Ascent is standardly equipped with X MODE, Hill Descent Control, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Traction Control System, Active Torque Vectoring, and Trailer Stability Assist.
For 2025, the Forester is equipped with Subaru Intelligent Drive, Active Torque Vectoring, Traction Control System, and Trailer Stability Assist, while X MODE, Hill Descent Control, and Vehicle Dynamics Control are standard on all trims except the Base model.
The Ascent will tow up to 5,000 pounds, whereas the Forester can trail along a maximum of 1,500 pounds.
Fuel Economy
The more powerful turbocharged engine in the Ascent offers fuel economy of 25/19 mpg city/highway on the Premium 7-Passenger and Premium 8-Passenger trims, while the rest of the Ascent lineup gets ratings of 26/20 mpg city/highway.
As expected, the Forester's naturally aspirated engine consumes less gasoline. It returns fuel economy values of 33/26 mpg on Base, Premium, and Limited trims, while the Touring and Sport offer economy values of 32/25 mpg city/highway.
The Ascent has a fuel tank capacity of 19.3 gallons vs. the Forester's 16.6 gallons.
Passenger and Cargo Space
The Ascent is all about maximum passenger seating, with an extensive lineup of trim configurations for seven or eight passengers accommodated in three rows of seats.
The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers up to 153.2 cubic feet depending on the trim chosen and generous legroom of 42.2 inches/38.6 inches/31.7 inches front/middle/rear.
The Forester has two rows of seats that can accommodate five passengers, and the total volume, depending on the chosen trim, measures 110.8 cubic feet or 106.6 cubic feet.
Legroom for stretching out in the Forester on longer trips measures 43.3 inches/39.4 inches front/rear.
Cargo Space
The Ascent will swallow 43.5 cubic feet of luggage behind the second row up to a maximum of 75.6 cubic feet behind the first-row seats.
The smaller Forester will accommodate 29.6 cubic feet behind its second row of seats, which increases to 74.4 cubic feet with the rear seat lowered.
Pricing
A comparison would only be complete with mentioning pricing.
The larger and more powerful 2025 Subaru Ascent is available from $38,795 for the Premium 8‑Passenger trim up to $49,995 for the range-topping Onyx Edition Touring 7‑Passenger trim.
The 2025 Subaru Forester lineup starts at $29,695 for the Base trim and climbs to the top-of-the-range Touring trim, which is available at $39,995.
Find Your Next Subaru SUV at Granite Subaru
Let the helpful team at Granite Subaru in Hudson, NH, show you more about these two capable SUVs.
Granite Subaru has an impressive selection of quality new and pre-owned vehicles, so you can find the perfect fit to satisfy your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
