Subaru is one of the most recognizable car brands, but Americans tend to associate it with its most well-known products — the Outback and Forester SUVs. The top of the Subaru lineup, the 2026 Subaru Ascent, is less well-known.
Perhaps it shouldn’t be. The Ascent is the only 3-row Subaru (at the moment — the company tells us there’s an electric 3-row SUV on the way soon). It gives shoppers access to the brand’s well-known all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and outdoorsy charm, plus the ability to carry seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim.
The Ascent starts at $42,245 (including a mandatory $1,450 destination fee), which gets shoppers a 260-horsepower turbocharged engine, a nice list of standard technology features, and the security of knowing they’re driving a Top Safety Pick+, which is the most rigorous safety designation given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
But it’s possible to equip an Ascent to threaten the luxury classes. The highest trim level in the Ascent stable, the Onyx Edition Touring 7-passenger, gets stylish black accents and a long list of amenities, some exclusive to this top-of-the-line trim.
The Ascent Onyx Edition Touring starts at $53,445. And, while dealers offer a few accessories like cargo nets and pet ramps, Subaru doesn’t offer any options packages for this trim because this trim has every feature the brand can build.
Let’s explore what that means.
2026 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Touring 7-Passenger
- 260-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer engine
- Symmetrical AWD
- X-MODE traction and stability enhancement with modes for different surfaces
- Hill descent control
- Active torque vectoring
- Trailer Stability Assist
- 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels in black finish
- LED steering responsive headlights
- LED fog lights
- Black finish grille and badges
- Windshield wiper de-icer
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row outboard seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- Power liftgate with height memory function and automatic close
- 3-zone climate control
- Illuminated front USB-A and USB-C input ports, second- and third-row USB-A and USB-C charging ports
- 11.6-inch multimedia touchscreen with navigation
- Harman Kardon QuantumLogic 14-speaker audio system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
Nappa Leather Upholstery
Ascent models are upholstered in either water-repellant, faux-leather material called StarTex, or the real-deal leather.
The Ascent Onyx Edition Touring 7-Passenger, though, gets a finer grade of leather. Nappa leather has been through a more complex tanning process than ordinary hides. It’s softer, more supple, and wears less over time. We see it often on luxury cars. It’s standard in the Ascent Touring, as well.
Comfortable Heated and Ventilated Seats
The driver and front passenger in the Ascent are treated to a set of luxurious seats. Beyond that Nappa leather, they both get heating for the winter and ventilation for the summer. The driver’s seat includes four power-lumbar support settings.
The second-row seats are also heated. If you’re looking at an Ascent because you want all-wheel drive for snowy days, that added warmth is a real plus. The steering wheel is heated, too, saving the driver from waiting for the heater to warm up to defrost their hands.
Advanced Infotainment Technology
Every Subaru Ascent comes with a big, attractive 11.6-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also accepts voice commands, so you can set navigation points, change music, and alter climate settings without taking your hands off the wheel. It uses what3words navigation tech — a system that can guide you to points more precise than an address, such as a specific boat launch or trailhead.
Most Ascents get a standard 6-speaker audio system. But the Onyx Edition Touring 7-Passenger comes with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon QuantumLogic surround-sound system putting out 792 watts of power.
Speaking of audio, the best tech feature in the Ascent might be the ability to hear your passengers. Standard on all but the base Premium trim, Subaru’s Cabin Connect intercom system makes conversing between the front and third rows easier.
Onyx Edition Style
Darkened trim is a trend in the automotive industry in recent years. We don’t always love it, but we have to admit, the Onyx Edition gives the Ascent a black-tie look. The Onyx Edition Touring 7-Passenger wears a gloss black grille, exterior trim, rear badging, and wheels.
360-Degree Surround-View Monitor
Parking and low-speed maneuvering are easier with the surround-view cameras, which show an overhead view of the car and its surroundings alongside the usual rearview camera view.
More on the Subaru Ascent
Read our full review or build and price your own Subaru Ascent. If you’re ready to take some action, check out the Subaru Ascent models for sale near you.
