Written byQuick Highlights:
- New blacked-out styling and water-resistant StarTex® seats now in the Premium trim
- Upgraded tech and luxe finishes in Touring and Limited models
- Same 260-hp turbo engine, now with more standard safety features
- Up to 5,000 lbs towing, AWD standard across all trims
- Starts at $42,245, tops out at $53,445 with the Onyx Edition Touring
First Impressions: Familiar Face, Subtle Changes
Subaru isn’t reinventing the wheel with the 2026 Ascent, but it has made a handful of thoughtful changes to keep its 3-row SUV feeling fresh. Most notably, the lineup is now simplified, ditching the base and standard Onyx Edition trims in favor of a tighter collection of feature-packed models.
You still get that classic Subaru formula—standard all-wheel drive, rugged utility, and a no-nonsense attitude, but this time with more upscale details, especially as you climb the trim ladder.
Same Engine, Still Strong
Under the hood, nothing changes, and that’s not a bad thing. The 2026 Ascent continues with a 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER® engine delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a CVT (with 8-speed manual mode and paddle shifters), it delivers smooth, consistent performance.
AWD is standard, and when properly equipped, the Ascent can still tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it one of the more capable options in its class for families who haul.
Safety First — And It Shows
Subaru leans hard into safety, and the 2026 Ascent reflects that with standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, now enhanced with a wide-angle mono camera and Emergency Stop Assist. Across all trims, you’ll find:
- Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Automatic Emergency Steering
Higher trims also bring DriverFocus®—Subaru’s Distraction Mitigation System that watches for drowsiness or lack of attention—and Cabin Connect, which projects your voice to the third row.
Let’s Talk Trims — What’s New in Each?
| Trim | Passenger Capacity | Notable Features | Price (w/ Dest.) |
| Premium | 7 or 8 | Black StarTex®, 18″ black wheels, LED fog lights, tri-zone climate, 11.6″ screen | $42,245 |
| Limited | 7 or 8 | Leather seats, 20″ wheels, heated rear seats, Harman Kardon® audio | $49,335 |
| Limited Bronze Edition | 7 | Bronze wheels, bronze interior stitching, StarTex® seats with bronze accents | $50,445 |
| Touring | 7 | Nappa leather, woodgrain trim, ventilated seats, Surround View Monitor | $52,615 |
| Onyx Edition Touring | 7 | Blacked-out styling, green-stitched leather, 20″ black wheels | $53,445 |
Interior: Comfort Gets an Upgrade
Subaru focused on small luxuries in the cabin. In the base Premium trim, black StarTex® upholstery replaces cloth for better durability, especially for families. As you move to Limited and Touring trims, you’re greeted with leather or even Java Brown Nappa leather in the top model. Ventilated seats, heated steering wheels, and power seat memory functions help elevate the experience.
And let’s not forget the sheer practicality: up to 19 cupholders, multiple USB-A and USB-C ports in every row, and an 11.6-inch infotainment screen across the board with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
What’s New for 2026?
- Sapphire Blue Pearl replaces Cosmic Blue Pearl in the paint lineup
- Touring now gets matte-finish woodgrain accents
- Onyx Edition discontinued, but styling touches live on in Premium trim
- Slight increase in starting price: +$800 over 2025
- Destination fee now $1,450 (up $30)
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth $50K?
The Subaru Ascent still nails what families want in a 3-row SUV: capability, safety, and enough practicality to make daily life easier. It may not turn heads like the Mazda CX-90, Kia Telluride, or Hyundai Palisade, but it stays true to the Subaru playbook, just with a bit more polish this time around.
If you’re looking for a plush cabin and don’t need wild performance numbers, the Touring and Onyx Touring trims offer genuine luxury for under $55K. But for many, the Premium or Limited trims hit the sweet spot in value.
Still, with the competition heating up, Subaru needs more than black accents and bronze stitching to keep the Ascent ahead of the pack long term. The 2026 update is solid, but not groundbreaking.
Source: Subaru
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