The 2025 Subaru Ascent: Everything You Need to Know

The second-generation Ascent could bring some game-changing updates.

a black car parked on the side of a street

Published December 19, 2023

·

Subaru had a conundrum in the late 2010s. Outback and Forester families loved their vehicles, but they were outgrowing them. Subaru needed a larger three-row option to keep those customers in Subarus. The answer was the Ascent, a bigger three-row Forester in both appearance and spirit.

The Ascent debuted for the 2019 model year, and received a mid-cycle refresh for 2023. That means a new second-generation model should be right around the corner. Here’s what you need to know about the 2025 Subaru Ascent.

When will the new Subaru Ascent arrive?

Subaru has not announced when the second-generation Ascent will arrive. Torque News thinks it will be the 2025 model year. Updating the Ascent for then would track with the Subaru Forester, which launched for the same model year.

A debut early in 2024 and a production launch in late 2024 for calendar year 2025 would be the earliest timeline. A less ambitious schedule would have Subaru launching the new model sometime in 2025 as a 2026 vehicle.

Will the Subaru Ascent use a new platform?

Probably not. The Crosstrek and Forester both stuck with the Subaru Global Platform for a second go-around. The Ascent should as well. It would be tough to see Subaru embarking on a new combustion platform at the same time it is making a huge push toward EVs.

Will the Subaru Ascent offer a hybrid powerplant?

Subaru has not confirmed that the next Ascent is getting a hybrid, but all signs point to that happening. Subaru signed an agreement to use Toyota’s next-generation hybrid tech beginning in the mid-2020s, and we know the 2025 Forester is getting one sometime in 2025.

Either the more efficient THS hybrid or the more powerful Hybrid Max hybrid from the Toyota Grand Highlander could be solid (and likely) options for a hybrid Ascent.

Will the Subaru Ascent go electric?

Potentially. Subaru has said it wants to get three additional electric SUVs to market by 2026. According to Automotive News, one of them will be a three-row model that will be a rebadged version of the three-row EV Toyota is building. It’s possible that the vehicle could carry Ascent branding, though Subaru has not confirmed that yet.

How much will the next Subaru Ascent cost?

Subaru has not announced pricing for the next Ascent yet. We don’t expect a dramatic price increase from the current $34,395 MSRP. But offering a hybrid model could see the price increase at the top end.

Will Subaru give the next Ascent a Wilderness trim?

The Wilderness trim has been very successful on the Outback and Forester. Subaru just added one for the new Crosstrek. We’d be surprised if Subaru did not have a similar off-road package planned for the Ascent to counter rivals like the Honda Pilot Trailsport.