Used 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent is a family-friendly SUV available with up to 8 seats, but it retains the Subaru charm and capability associated with the brand. The Ascent boasts a roomy interior with plenty of space for passengers and cargo, and standard all-wheel drive. Also standard is a strong roster of safety tech that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane centering, steering-responsive LED headlights with automatic high beams, and much more.

The 2022 model is essentially the same as the 2021 model and even has the same pricing. However, a new Onyx Edition has debuted this year. The Onyx Edition brings unique aesthetics inside and out with black exterior trim, special wheels, and StarTex water-repellant seats. This adds an edgy look to a family-friendly crossover.

The Subaru Ascent is one of the more rugged options in 3-row midsize SUVs, thanks to standard all-wheel drive, generous ground clearance, and pretty good off-road capabilities.

This Subaru is more off-road-oriented than its chief rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, but the Ascent is still a perfectly comfortable road-going family hauler. It’s smooth and well-mannered in everyday driving conditions, and it doesn’t skip a beat when the roads get nasty, thanks to standard AWD.

The Ascent is up for some mild off-roading when the pavement ends, thanks to the aforementioned AWD, generous ground clearance, and X-Mode, which adds hill-descent control. But don’t expect to cross rivers or climb mountains. Perhaps its closest competitor in this niche of rugged yet family-friendly 3-row crossovers is the redesigned Nissan Pathfinder.

The Subaru Ascent does an excellent job driving like a smaller vehicle. The acceleration is adequate, and the handling is pretty good, but there’s just not much excitement to be had from behind the wheel of the Ascent. Still, we wish there was a sporty option like in some other Subaru models like the Outback and Legacy XT variants.

The interior of the Subaru Ascent is roomy and comfortable for the first two rows, but the third row is a bit tight. Like many SUVs in this segment, the third row is best reserved for children. The cargo space is pretty generous, especially when the third-row seats are folded down.

A bench second-row seat is standard, and second-row captain’s chairs are optional. If you’re not planning on using the third row every time you drive your SUV, then this one is plenty roomy.

Interior design and quality are pretty nice, especially considering the competitive pricing of the Ascent. We love the fact that tri-zone automatic climate control comes standard. Available features that can make the interior more luxurious include heated second-row seats, leather upholstery, and a panoramic moonroof.

The Subaru Ascent looks like a Subaru. It kind of looks like the Outback, but in the form of a more conventional midsize 3-row crossover, and we think that’s a good thing. It sits pretty high up with 8.7 inches of ground clearance. That translates to good off-road capabilities without being so tall that it’s hard to climb in and out of.

The new Onyx Edition changes the look quite a bit while sticking to the same basic design. It adds unique black exterior trim and special 20-inch wheels distinct to the Onyx model. The upper Limited and Touring trims also have 20-inch wheels and add extra chrome, giving it a more premium look.

STANDARD AWD
All-wheel drive is a popular option in this segment, and it comes standard on every trim of the Ascent. That makes it suitable for some off-roading and snowy roads.

ONYX EDITION
The new-for-2022 Onyx Edition adds a dark attitude to the family-friendly Ascent. It includes unique black exterior trim and StarTex water-repellent seats, all while keeping the price reasonable.

A generous list of standard features is part of what makes the Subaru Ascent a good value choice in 3-row crossovers. Standard equipment on every trim includes all-wheel drive with X-Mode, tri-zone automatic climate control, four USB ports, 19 cupholders, 3-row seating for up to eight people, and more.

The standard Starlink infotainment system in the Ascent is a 6.5-inch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The standard safety tech suite is the EyeSight system, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist with lane centering, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, steering-responsive LED headlights, and a rear-seat reminder.

The standard engine in every 2022 Ascent is a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4 linked to a CVT automatic transmission.

There are four trims above the base model, plus a few option packages. Upgrading to the mid-range Premium trim adds some excellent features, including more safety tech like blind-spot monitoring and lane-change assist, power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, second-row independent climate control, and heated front seats. The biggest reason to upgrade to the Premium model is the 8-inch Starlink infotainment system with Wi-Fi capability.

The new Onyx Edition builds on the Premium model by adding black exterior trim, unique 20-inch wheels, StarTex water-repellent seats, reverse automatic braking, power liftgate, heated steering wheel, and push-button start.

The Limited trim starts to put the Ascent into luxury territory. It adds leather seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar, 4-way power front passenger seat, second-row sunshades, more USB ports, heated second-row seats, LED god lamps, chrome exterior trim, and 20-inch wheels.

Finally, the top Touring model is fully loaded with navigation, Harman Kardon 14-speaker premium audio, a panoramic moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, camera mirror, front-view camera, and a choice of Java Brown or Slate Black perforated leather seats.

As for seating, the base trim is only available in an 8-seat configuration with a bench second row. Second-row captain’s chairs in the Premium trim is a no-cost option, but only if you add the $1,460 Convenience Package, which adds a power liftgate, push-button start, an auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink garage remote, and reverse automatic braking.

The new Onyx Edition can only be had with seven seats, and it has a $2,200 option package that adds a panoramic moonroof, navigation, and a cargo cover.

The same option package is available for the Limited trim at the same price, and the Limited can be had with seven seats or eight with no price difference. Also available on the Limited trim is a Technology Package for $2,950 that adds navigation, Harman Kardon audio, panoramic moonroof, and a cargo cover.

The Ascent only has one engine available under the hood. It’s a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4 producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a CVT automatic transmission with an 8-speed manual mode. The maximum towing rating for the Ascent is 5,000 pounds and has standard trailer stability assist.

One thing that makes the Subaru Ascent stand out is standard all-wheel drive on every trim. This gives the Ascent good off-road chops and makes it a good choice for drivers in snowy climates.

This engine delivers adequate power and it’s pretty efficient for an SUV this size with AWD, returning up to 21 city/27 highway mpg according to the EPA.

2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4
260 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
277 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 mpg, 20/26 mpg (Onyx/Limited/Touring)