Ascent
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
More Info
Mark Miller Subaru South Towne
2026 Subaru Ascent in Sandy, UT
Eight seats, 260 turbocharged horsepower, and clearance a minivan cannot match.
- Drivetrain
- Standard AWD
- Seating
- Up to 8
- Horsepower
- 260 hp turbo
- Max Towing
- 5,000 lbs
2026 Model Research
Why the 2026 Ascent Works in Sandy
The 2026 Subaru Ascent is the only three-row SUV in its class that pairs standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a 5,000-pound tow rating. For a family in Sandy, Draper, South Jordan that skis, camps and hauls a trailer, that specific combination is hard to replace. A minivan will not clear a snowbank at the bottom of a canyon road. Most three-row crossovers make all-wheel drive an option and then sit two inches lower.
Power comes from a 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which is a meaningful figure when you are climbing to Snowbird and Alta with seven people, skis and a rooftop box. Turbocharging also helps at altitude, where naturally aspirated engines lose output.
2026 Ascent at a Glance
| Vehicle class | Three-row midsize SUV |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L turbocharged BOXER, 260 hp / 277 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Lineartronic CVT with 8-speed manual mode |
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (standard) |
| EPA-estimated MPG | 20 city / 26 hwy |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in |
| Seating | 7 with captain's chairs, or 8 with bench |
| Max towing | 5,000 lbs |
| Cargo behind third row | 17.6 cu ft |
Model Year Changes
What's New on the 2026 Subaru Ascent
Refreshed front fascia and grille treatment with updated LED lighting
Wider standard availability of the 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen
Expanded EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with improved stereo camera processing
Additional USB-C charging ports for second and third row passengers
Available heated second-row captain's chairs on upper trims
Onyx Edition Limited continues with dark exterior accents and StarTex upholstery
Features and Capability
2026 Subaru Ascent Features
Performance, Towing and Capability
The 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque arriving low in the rev range where a loaded family SUV actually needs it. It pairs with a Lineartronic CVT with an 8-speed manual mode. EPA estimates land around 20 city and 26 highway mpg, which is competitive for a three-row with standard all-wheel drive.
- 260 hp, 277 lb-ft 2.4L turbocharged BOXER standard on every trim
- 5,000 lbs maximum towing capacity
- Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with dual-function X-MODE
- 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance
- Hill Descent Control for steep dirt and snow-covered grades
- Turbocharged output holds up better at Wasatch altitudes than naturally aspirated engines
Three Rows, Cargo and Family Livability
The Ascent seats seven with second-row captain's chairs or eight with a second-row bench. The third row is genuinely usable by adults on shorter trips and entirely comfortable for kids, and both rear rows fold to open a long, flat cargo floor. There are cupholders everywhere, USB-C ports in all three rows, and available heated second-row seats.
- Seating for seven with captain's chairs or eight with a bench second row
- Usable third row with its own USB-C ports and cupholders
- Available heated second-row seats and heated steering wheel
- Available StarTex water-repellent upholstery for gear and pets
- Available Panoramic Power Moonroof over the first two rows
- Standard roof rails with available crossbars and a power rear gate
Technology and Safety
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard, with pre-collision braking and throttle management, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and lane departure prevention. For a vehicle that spends its life full of passengers on I-15, Bangerter Highway and the 9400 South corridor, that suite does real work.
- Standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology across the range
- Available 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Available 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio
- DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation with recognition for up to five drivers
- Available Surround View Monitor and Reverse Automatic Braking
- STARLINK Safety and Security with SOS emergency assistance
Trim Walk
What Each 2026 Ascent Trim Adds
Trims are where most of the research happens. Here is what actually changes as you move up the range, and who each one suits. Live pricing and availability for Sandy are on the vehicles listed above.
Premium
2.4L turbo BOXER, 260 hp
Eight seats, the turbo engine and the full safety suite at the lowest price.
- Seating for eight with a second-row bench
- Standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
- Available 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen
- Heated front seats and All-Weather Package
Sport
2.4L turbo BOXER, 260 hp
Blacked-out styling with the gear-friendly StarTex interior.
- Dark exterior accents and 20-inch wheels
- StarTex water-repellent upholstery
- Second-row captain's chairs
- Available Panoramic Power Moonroof
Onyx Edition Limited
2.4L turbo BOXER, 260 hp
The best-looking Ascent, with the gear-proof interior.
- Dark 20-inch alloy wheels and black exterior trim
- Full StarTex water-repellent interior
- Harman Kardon premium audio
- Surround View Monitor
Limited
2.4L turbo BOXER, 260 hp
Leather and premium audio for a family that puts on highway miles.
- Leather-trimmed seating with ventilated front seats
- Second-row captain's chairs with heat
- 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio
- Panoramic Power Moonroof
Touring
2.4L turbo BOXER, 260 hp
Every option Subaru offers on a three-row, in one build.
- Nappa-grade leather with heated second row
- Surround View Monitor and full driver-assist suite
- Heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats
- 20-inch machine-finished wheels
Exterior Colors
2026 Subaru Ascent Color Options
Availability varies by trim. Ask us which combinations are in stock or on the way to South Towne.
Crystal White Pearl
Autumn Green Metallic
Crimson Red Pearl
Ice Silver MetallicGallery
2026 Subaru Ascent Photos
Local Knowledge
Driving the Ascent in Sandy and the Wasatch Front
Utah asks more of a vehicle than most places do. A Sandy winter means inversion mornings, salted roads and a storm cycle that can drop a foot overnight on Little Cottonwood Canyon while the valley floor stays wet. Summer means triple-digit heat, long climbs and dirt roads that get rough by August. The Ascent is built for both ends of that, and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard rather than an upcharge.
Ground clearance is the specification people underrate until they need it. An unplowed side street in Draper, a washboard road to a trailhead, or a snowbank at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon are all situations where a couple of extra inches decide whether you keep going. Add X-MODE for the loose and slick stuff, and standard roof rails for the ski and bike season that runs most of the year here.
Serving Ascent drivers in
- Sandy
- Draper
- South Jordan
- Riverton
- Midvale
- West Jordan
- Herriman
- Bluffdale
- Cottonwood Heights
- Alpine
- Lehi
- Highland
Canyons and roads nearby
- Little Cottonwood Canyon
- Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Bell Canyon
- American Fork Canyon
- Corner Canyon
- Dimple Dell
Resorts within reach
- Snowbird
- Alta
- Brighton
- Solitude
- Sundance
Cross Shopping
How the 2026 Ascent Compares to Other Subaru Models
Most people shopping a Ascent are weighing it against something else in the Subaru lineup. Here is the honest version of each comparison, with links to the full research page for each model.
Ascent vs Outback
The Outback is shorter, more efficient and less expensive, and it tows 3,500 lbs against the Ascent's 5,000. The Ascent's advantage is the third row and the extra towing.
2026 Outback researchAscent vs Forester
The Forester is a two-row compact SUV: cheaper, more efficient, easier to park. The Ascent adds a usable third row, a 260 hp turbo engine and 5,000 lbs of towing capacity.
2026 Forester researchAscent vs Trailseeker
The Trailseeker is electric and quicker, but it seats five. If your reason for shopping the Ascent is the third row, the Trailseeker does not replace it.
2026 Trailseeker researchAscent vs Solterra
The Solterra is a five-seat electric compact SUV. It costs less to run but cannot carry seven people or tow 5,000 lbs. Different jobs entirely.
2026 Solterra researchQuestions
2026 Subaru Ascent FAQs
Is the third row in the 2026 Ascent big enough for adults?
For shorter trips, yes. Adults fit in the Ascent third row for a run up Little Cottonwood Canyon or across town, and the seats have their own USB-C ports and cupholders. For a long drive to Moab or St. George, the second row is where you want adults, with the third row for kids or gear.
How many people does the Subaru Ascent seat?
Seven or eight. Choosing second-row captain's chairs gives you seven seats with a walk-through to the third row. Choosing the second-row bench gives you eight. Both configurations keep a usable third row with its own USB-C ports.
How much can a 2026 Ascent tow?
Up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That covers a small travel trailer, a pair of snowmobiles on a deck trailer, or most small boats. Confirm the rating for your specific configuration before purchasing a trailer.
Ascent or Outback, which fits my family?
If you need a third row even occasionally, the Ascent. If five seats is genuinely enough, the Outback is shorter, easier to park, more efficient and less expensive. The Ascent also tows 5,000 pounds against the Outback's 3,500.
Is the Ascent good in Utah snow?
Yes, and it is one of the strongest arguments for it. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with dual-function X-MODE is standard, ground clearance is 8.7 inches, and 277 lb-ft of torque arrives low enough to pull a loaded vehicle up a snowy grade. Pair it with a set of winter tires and it handles a Snowbird and Alta morning without drama.
Does the Ascent come with all-wheel drive on every trim?
Yes. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on all 2026 Ascent trims. Many competitors in the three-row segment charge extra for all-wheel drive or restrict it to certain trims.
Next Step
Drive a 2026 Ascent in Sandy
The fastest way to settle a trim question is to drive two back to back. Tell us which canyons you drive and what you haul, and we will line them up.
Mark Miller Subaru South Towne
10920 S. State St.
Sandy, UT 84070
Sales: [SALES PHONE]
Hours: [SALES HOURS]
Get directions
Specifications, equipment and availability shown on this page are based on preliminary 2026 model year information and are subject to change. EPA-estimated fuel economy and range figures are for comparison purposes only; actual results vary with driving conditions, load, temperature and vehicle condition. EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and all driver assistance systems are designed to assist the driver and are not substitutes for safe and attentive driving. Confirm current equipment and availability with Mark Miller Subaru South Towne.
