Looking to haul your camper, boat, or adventure gear with your family SUV? The Subaru Ascent might be the perfect solution. With impressive towing capabilities and standard all-wheel drive, this three-row SUV delivers serious pulling power while keeping your family comfortable and safe. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the Subaru Ascent’s towing capacity and how it stacks up against the competition.
What Is the Subaru Ascent’s Maximum Towing Capacity?
The Subaru Ascent offers a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. This puts it in direct competition with other popular midsize SUVs while providing the versatility families need for weekend adventures and daily driving.
For the 2025 model year, Subaru made an important change that benefits towing enthusiasts. They’ve discontinued the base trim level entirely, meaning all 2025 Ascent models now come with the full 5,000-pound towing capacity as standard equipment—no more confusion about which trim can tow how much!
How the Ascent’s Towing Capacity Has Changed
Historical Towing Differences (2019-2024)
If you’re looking at used Ascent models, it’s important to know about previous towing capacity differences:
| Trim Level | Maximum Towing Capacity | Tongue Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 2,000 pounds | 200 pounds |
| Premium | 5,000 pounds | 500 pounds |
| Limited | 5,000 pounds | 500 pounds |
| Touring | 5,000 pounds | 500 pounds |
| Onyx | 5,000 pounds | 500 pounds |
The primary reason for this difference was that base models lacked a transmission cooler, which is essential for maintaining proper CVT operating temperatures during sustained towing.
2025 Model Year: Simplified Towing Capacity
The 2025 Ascent lineup starts with the Premium trim, ensuring consistent 5,000-pound towing capacity across all configurations. This simplifies the buying process and ensures you’re getting maximum capability regardless of which version you choose.
What Powers the Ascent’s Towing Capability?
The Subaru Ascent’s impressive towing capacity comes from a well-designed powertrain:
- Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER four-cylinder producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque
- Drivetrain: Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive for maximum traction
- Transmission: Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) specifically tuned for towing
This combination provides the perfect balance of power, efficiency, and capability for family adventures. The horizontally-opposed BOXER engine design gives the Ascent a lower center of gravity, improving stability when towing.
Required Equipment for Maximum Towing Capacity
To achieve the full 5,000-pound towing capacity, your Ascent needs:
- Class III Trailer Hitch: Subaru’s OEM hitch features a 2-inch receiver and integrates perfectly with the vehicle’s design
- Transmission Cooler: Standard on Premium and higher trims (2019-2024), now standard on all 2025 models
- Wiring Harness: Factory-installed with both 4-pin and 7-pin connections for trailer lighting
- Ball Mount Assembly: Must be rated for the appropriate tongue weight (sold separately)
Subaru offers factory accessory packages that include everything you need for towing, though many owners choose to have the dealer install these components before taking delivery.
Real-World Towing Performance
Specs on paper are one thing, but how does the Ascent perform in real-world towing situations?
Owner Experiences
Actual Ascent owners report positive experiences when towing loads in the 3,500-4,500 pound range. According to one comprehensive owner review, “towing with the Ascent is a very different experience” compared to smaller Subaru vehicles, with many noting they “barely notice the effect of the trailer” during acceleration and stopping.
Travel trailer owners particularly praise the Ascent’s stability and control when towing. One owner towing a 2022 Oliver Elite I trailer reported excellent handling and peace of mind even on challenging roads.
Fuel Economy While Towing
When it comes to fuel economy, here’s what you can expect when towing with the Ascent:
- 20-21 MPG: When towing lighter loads (under 3,000 pounds) on flat terrain
- 17 MPG: During moderate towing conditions
- 6-10 MPG: When towing heavier, less aerodynamic trailers like enclosed cargo trailers
These numbers align with what you’d expect from any midsize SUV when towing, though the Ascent’s turbocharged engine helps maintain efficiency better than some naturally-aspirated competitors.
Performance in Challenging Conditions
The Ascent handles most towing conditions with confidence, though owners have noted some limitations in extreme situations. During steep mountain climbs in very hot weather (over 100°F), some owners have reported elevated oil temperatures, though no warning lights activated.
The CVT transmission generally receives positive feedback during towing, with the system effectively managing power delivery without excessive engine RPM increases on moderate grades.
How the Ascent Compares to Competitors
The midsize three-row SUV segment is highly competitive when it comes to towing capacity. Here’s how the Ascent stacks up:
| SUV Model | Maximum Towing Capacity |
|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder | 6,000 pounds |
| Ford Explorer | 5,600 pounds |
| Subaru Ascent | 5,000 pounds |
| Honda Pilot (AWD) | 5,000 pounds |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,000 pounds |
| Kia Telluride | 5,000 pounds |
| Hyundai Palisade | 5,000 pounds |
| Honda Pilot (FWD) | 3,500 pounds |
While the Ascent doesn’t lead the pack, it’s right in line with most competitors while offering some distinct advantages:
- Standard All-Wheel Drive: Unlike most competitors that offer FWD as standard, every Ascent includes Symmetrical AWD
- Consistent Towing Capacity: All 2025+ trims offer the full 5,000-pound rating
- Competitive Pricing: Starting at $39,995, the Ascent offers strong value compared to similarly equipped rivals
- Integrated Safety Systems: Standard EyeSight driver assistance technology includes trailer-specific stability features
Technical Considerations When Towing with an Ascent
CVT Transmission Management
The Ascent’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) requires careful temperature management during sustained towing, particularly in hot climates or mountainous terrain. Subaru addressed this concern by including transmission coolers in all towing-equipped models.
For those planning to tow frequently in extreme conditions, some owners recommend additional cooling modifications. The Ascent Forum community has valuable discussions about these enhancements.
Weight Distribution Matters
Beyond the 5,000-pound towing limit, you must consider payload capacity, which includes passengers, cargo, and tongue weight. The Ascent’s maximum payload capacity is approximately 1,200 pounds for seven-passenger models.
Experts recommend following the 10-15% rule for tongue weight—meaning your trailer’s tongue should place about 10-15% of the trailer’s total weight on the hitch. For the Ascent’s maximum 5,000-pound capacity, that equates to 500-750 pounds of tongue weight, though Subaru officially limits tongue weight to 500 pounds.
Trailer Stability Features
One of the Ascent’s standout towing features is Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), which comes standard on all models. This system uses yaw sensors to detect trailer sway and automatically applies selective braking to regain control.
This safety feature works alongside Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and X-MODE traction management systems to provide comprehensive stability when towing—especially valuable for family drivers who might be new to pulling trailers.
Best Trailers and Applications for the Ascent
With its 5,000-pound capacity, the Ascent is well-suited for:
- Travel Trailers: Many lightweight travel trailers, pop-up campers, and teardrop trailers fall within the Ascent’s capacity
- Boats and Watercraft: Most fishing boats, small pontoons, and personal watercraft with trailers
- Recreational Equipment: ATV/UTV trailers, motorcycle trailers, and snowmobile setups
- Utility Needs: Small enclosed cargo trailers, landscape equipment, and general utility trailers
For optimal safety and performance, towing experts generally recommend staying 10-15% below maximum rated capacity. For the Ascent, this suggests a practical towing limit of approximately 4,250-4,500 pounds for regular use.
Maintenance Tips When Regularly Towing
Regular maintenance becomes increasingly important when using the Ascent’s full towing capacity:
- Follow the severe service maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual when regularly towing
- Check transmission fluid more frequently, especially after towing in hot weather or mountainous terrain
- Inspect brakes regularly as towing increases wear on brake components
- Monitor tire pressure and condition since proper inflation is critical for safe towing
- Check all lighting connections before each towing trip
Subaru recommends more frequent transmission fluid changes when towing regularly, especially in severe conditions. This preventative maintenance helps ensure your CVT remains healthy for the long haul.
Long-Term Reliability When Towing
While the Ascent is relatively new to the market (introduced in 2019), early reliability reports from owners who regularly tow have been generally positive. The combination of the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and robust all-wheel-drive system appears well-suited to sustained towing duties.
Many owners report towing for multiple seasons without issues, though as with any vehicle, proper maintenance and staying within recommended limits are key to long-term reliability.
Maximizing Your Ascent’s Towing Performance
To get the most out of your Ascent’s towing capabilities:
- Use proper weight distribution to maintain stability and handling
- Stay within the 500-pound tongue weight limit
- Consider aftermarket transmission cooling if you tow frequently in extreme conditions
- Use the CVT’s manual mode when towing on steep grades for better engine braking
- Activate X-MODE for improved traction when launching boats or trailers on slippery surfaces
With proper setup and sensible limits, the Ascent proves itself a capable tow vehicle that doesn’t require stepping up to a full-size SUV or pickup truck.
Is the Subaru Ascent the Right Tow Vehicle for You?
The Subaru Ascent’s 5,000-pound towing capacity makes it an excellent choice for families and adventure enthusiasts who need substantial hauling power in a comfortable, efficient package. The 2025 model year improvements, which standardize maximum towing capacity across all trim levels, eliminate previous confusion and provide consistent capability regardless of configuration.
If you regularly tow trailers, boats, or recreational equipment under 5,000 pounds and value standard all-wheel drive, comprehensive safety systems, and competitive pricing, the Ascent offers a compelling package that balances capability with family-friendly features.
While not the absolute towing capacity champion in its class, the Ascent’s combination of capability, efficiency, and standard equipment makes it a strong contender for those seeking reliable towing performance without the bulk or fuel consumption of larger vehicles.
