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Trims and Powertrain

As the largest of Subaru’s models, the 2022 Ascent offers everything that outdoorsy folks need to maximize their recreational time. It’s rugged and roomy, with standard and available features that make you look forward to driving. This best-selling three-row utility vehicle has been a long-time favorite due to its all-around versatility, and for model year 2022, Subaru has added the Onyx Edition. This debuting trim level – which builds off the Premium trim – is differentiated from the other Ascent trims by sleek black exterior trim and special interior design details. It also has standard convenience features like reverse automatic braking, a power liftgate, and keyless entry and ignition.

The ’22 Ascent fits up to eight passengers and comes in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring. Their turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine makes 260 hp and 277 lb.-ft. of torque and is joined to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drivetrain. EPA estimates indicate that the Base and Premium achieve 21 mpg around town and 27 mpg on the highway, and that the Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring get 20 city/26 highway. Most trims can tow up to 5,000 pounds, except for the Base, which can tow a maximum of 2,000 lb.

Base

The lowest-priced ’22 Ascent has some upscale features, such as steering-responsive LED headlights, raised roof rails, a power liftgate with height memory, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and tri-zone automatic climate control with air vents for all three rows. It also gets dual front USB ports, second-row USB ports, 19 cup/bottle holders,18-inch wheels, reclining 60/40-split flat-folding second- and third-row seats, and a cargo-area underfloor storage tray. Its infotainment system has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), SiriusXM satellite radio, HD radio, Bluetooth for hands-free phone and audio streaming, and a sound system with six speakers. On the safety technology front, all Ascents get automatic high beams and the Subaru EyeSight driver-assist bundle (pre-collision braking system, pre-collision throttle management, lane departure and sway warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering).

Premium

This trim earns its name with heated front seats, a windshield wiper de-icer, a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, and second-row climate controls. The infotainment suite goes to an 8-inch touchscreen and adds voice recognition and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The second row can be either the standard bench (to seat as many as eight) or the available pair of captain’s chairs (reducing seating capacity to seven). It’s also eligible to be upgraded with 20-inch wheels, keyless entry with and PIN-code access, push-button start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a HomeLink universal garage door opener. The active safety suite is burgeoned with blind-spot detection, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert; reverse automatic braking is an option.

Onyx Edition

All of those amenities just listed as optional for the Premium come standard on the Onyx Edition, along with a heated steering wheel, exterior mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators, simulated leather seats that are water-repellent, a smart auto-dimming rearview mirror (which lets you see out the back even with a loaded cargo area), and third-row USB ports. There are no additional standard infotainment features, but navigation is available, as are panoramic moonroof and a cargo area cover.

Limited

The Limited drops the smart auto-dimming rearview mirror, returns the second-row bench seat (the captain’s chairs are still an option), and adds leather upholstery with a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat and heated second-row outboard seats. The available upgrades include navigation, a moonroof, and a Harman Kardon audio system with 14 speakers.

Touring

The second-row captain’s chairs come back as standard for this trim, as do a lot of features that are options on other trims, such as the moonroof, navigation, the upgraded Harman Kardon sound system, and the smart auto-dimming rearview mirror. Ventilated front seats, a 180-degree front-view monitor, and a 120-volt power outlet are also included.

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Standard Features and Packages

The Base comes with 18-inch wheels, steering-responsive LED headlights, raised roof rails, a power liftgate with height memory, dual front USB ports, second-row USB ports, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, 19 cup/bottle holders, a rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, air vents for all three rows, reclining 60/40-split flat-folding second- and third-row seats, and a cargo-area underfloor storage tray. The Premium gains a windshield wiper de-icer, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and second-row climate controls. This trim’s available features consist of second-row captain’s chairs (which will reduce seating capacity to seven), 20-inch wheels, keyless entry with push-button ignition and PIN-code access, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a HomeLink universal garage door opener.

The Onyx Edition has all of those amenities, plus side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a heated steering wheel, simulated leather and water-repellant seats, a smart auto-dimming rearview mirror (which lets you see out the back even with a loaded cargo area), and third-row USB ports; a panoramic moonroof and a cargo area cover are optional. The Limited loses the smart auto-dimming rearview mirror and returns the second-row bench seat (the captain’s chairs remain optional). It does, however, provide a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, heated second-row seats, and leather upholstery, with the moonroof remaining optional. The Touring issues the second-row captain’s chairs and moonroof and brings back the smart auto-dimming rearview mirror. It also gets ventilated front seats and a 120-volt power outlet. A wireless smartphone charger is available for all ’22 Ascent trims.

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Safety and Technology

Every Ascent comes with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite, which bundles a pre-collision braking system, pre-collision throttle management, lane departure and sway warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Automatic high beams are standard, too. The Premium is enhanced with blind-spot detection, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert and is eligible for reverse automatic braking, which is standard on the trims above it. The Touring stands apart with its standard 180-degree front-view monitor.

The base has an infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, high-definition radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, and a six-speaker audio system. The Premium gets an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. The Onyx Edition and Limited qualify for integrated navigation, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is available for the Limited. The Touring comes standard with both of those features.