2027 Subaru Ascent: What’s New & Which Trim Is Right for You?

October 12th, 2026 by

Three rows, standard all-wheel drive, and room for the whole crew: the Ascent has been Subaru’s family hauler for years, and shoppers around Fort Walton Beach want to know what changes for 2027. We break it down trim by trim, so you can match the right Ascent to your family, your gear, and your budget.

2027 Subaru Ascent
The 2027 Subaru Ascent is a three-row SUV with a 260-horsepower turbocharged BOXER engine and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, offered in five trims from Premium to Onyx Edition Touring. It seats up to eight and tows up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance.At Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach, our team helps drivers from Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Crestview, Milton, Pensacola, and Panama City match Subaru models to life on the Gulf Coast. This guide covers what changed for 2027, how all five trims compare, and which seating layout fits your household, so you arrive at our showroom ready to test drive the right one.

Key Points: 2027 Subaru Ascent

  • The 2027 Ascent keeps what families already trust. The 260-horsepower engine, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and standard EyeSight Driver Assist carry over, with a few practical updates added.
  • Five trims, five different reasons to choose one. Premium leads on value, while Onyx Edition Touring leads on darker, sportier style, and each step between them adds something specific.
  • Seating is the real decision. Only Premium and Limited offer an eight-passenger layout, while the other three trims seat seven with second-row captain’s chairs.

2027 Subaru Ascent Trim Levels: Seating, Standouts, and Starting MSRP

Picking an Ascent starts with a simple question: which trim matches the way you drive and who rides along? Here is a quick side-by-side before we go deeper on each one.

Trim Seating Standout Features Starting MSRP
Premium 7 or 8 Standard AWD, 11.6-inch touchscreen, black StarTex upholstery $40,795
Limited 7 or 8 20-inch wheels, panoramic moonroof, Harman Kardon audio $47,985
Limited Bronze Edition 7 Bronze-finish wheels, StarTex upholstery with bronze stitching $49,095
Touring 7 Perforated Nappa leather-trimmed seating $51,165
Onyx Edition Touring 7 20-inch black-finish wheels, gloss-black accents $51,995
2027 Subaru Ascent interior

Prices are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the 2027 model year. They exclude the $1,495 destination charge, taxes, fees, and dealer charges, and equipment varies by trim. Contact Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach for current availability and pricing.

A few details stand out. The jump from Premium to Limited is the biggest on the list, about $7,190, while the step from Limited to Touring adds roughly $3,180. Every trim shares the same 260-horsepower engine, so the differences are comfort, technology, and style, not power. And only Premium and Limited can seat eight, which surprises shoppers who fall for a Touring first. Ready to see what is on our lot? Browse our new Subaru inventory online.

What’s New for the 2027 Subaru Ascent?

The 2027 Subaru Ascent is a model-year update, not a redesign, so its look, powertrain, and family-focused layout carry over. The changes are small and useful. Deepwater Blue Pearl, a paint color exclusive to the Ascent, joins the lineup. Additional USB-C ports near the third row give rear passengers more ways to charge phones and tablets. A new interior-light OFF switch lets the driver shut off door-activated cabin lighting, a welcome fix on night drives with sleeping kids. The Limited Bronze Edition also returns.

2027 Subaru Ascent Premium vs. Limited: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

The 2027 Subaru Ascent Premium starts at $40,795 MSRP and covers the core Ascent experience with an 11.6-inch touchscreen and a choice of seven or eight seats. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is a full-time drivetrain that sends power to all four wheels for steady traction on wet roads and sandy shoulders, and it is standard on every Ascent.

The 2027 Subaru Ascent Limited starts at $47,985 MSRP and adds leather-trimmed upholstery, 20-inch wheels, a panoramic moonroof, heated second-row outboard seats, navigation, and Harman Kardon audio. Limited makes sense for families who log long hours in the car, from a Crestview commute to a weekend run to Pensacola. Premium makes sense when budget and seating flexibility lead the list.

What Is the 2027 Subaru Ascent Limited Bronze Edition?

The 2027 Subaru Ascent Limited Bronze Edition starts at $49,095 MSRP and sits between the standard Limited and the Touring models. It builds on the seven-passenger Limited with 20-inch bronze-finish wheels, bronze exterior details, and black StarTex upholstery with bronze stitching. That makes it more than a Limited with bronze-colored pieces: the seating layout, upholstery, and equipment mix all differ. Bronze suits shoppers who want a distinctive look and prefer captain’s chairs, without stepping up to Touring’s Nappa leather.

2027 Subaru Ascent Touring vs. Onyx Edition Touring: Classic Luxury or Dark Styling?

The 2027 Subaru Ascent Touring starts at $51,165 MSRP and leans traditional, with perforated Nappa leather-trimmed seating and extra comfort features. The Onyx Edition Touring starts at $51,995 MSRP and keeps that high-level equipment while adding black-finish wheels and gloss-black exterior accents.

The price gap is only $830. Neither trim is objectively better. The choice comes down to taste: a classic luxury appearance or the darker Onyx treatment.

Does the 2027 Subaru Ascent Seat 7 or 8 Passengers?

Yes, both, depending on the trim. Premium and Limited can be configured for seven or eight passengers. Captain’s chairs are individual second-row seats, and the seven-passenger layouts use them. The eight-passenger layouts use a second-row bench instead. Limited Bronze Edition, Touring, and Onyx Edition Touring come as seven-passenger models only.

The bench maximizes headcount, while captain’s chairs give second-row riders more space and can make third-row access easier. For cargo, Subaru lists up to 75.6 cubic feet with the rear rows folded, plus underfloor storage. A larger family usually lands on an eight-passenger Premium or Limited.

How Much Can the 2027 Subaru Ascent Tow Near Fort Walton Beach?

The 2027 Subaru Ascent tows up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which Subaru lists as the most of any Subaru. That rating suits a small boat, a pair of jet skis, or a utility trailer, as long as the total weight stays within the limit. Standard X-MODE with Hill Descent Control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance add confidence on sandy boat ramps and loose beach access roads. Confirm the trailer weight and hitch setup with our team before you tow.

Which 2027 Subaru Ascent Trim Fits Your Family?

No single trim wins for everyone. Match the Ascent to your priorities:

  • Larger family that needs eight seats: Premium or Limited in the eight-passenger layout. The second-row bench is the only route to eight seats.
  • Value and seating flexibility: Premium. At $40,795 MSRP, it keeps standard AWD and EyeSight, with your pick of seven or eight seats.
  • Comfort, technology, and a choice of seven or eight seats: Limited. Leather-trimmed upholstery, navigation, and Harman Kardon audio suit long drives.
  • Distinctive styling with captain’s chairs: Limited Bronze Edition. Bronze-finish wheels and bronze-stitched StarTex stand out, and second-row riders get their own seats.
  • Upscale comfort and Nappa leather: Touring. Perforated Nappa leather-trimmed seating gives daily drivers a traditional premium cabin.
  • Premium equipment with a darker, sportier look: Onyx Edition Touring. It adds black-finish wheels and gloss-black accents to Touring’s equipment.

Want to see what a monthly plan looks like? Our team can walk you through financing options and your trade-in value.

Test Drive the 2027 Subaru Ascent at Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach

Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach serves shoppers in Fort Walton Beach, and we welcome shoppers from Destin, Milton, Pensacola, and Panama City. Browse our new Subaru SUV inventory online, compare trims and seating layouts, then contact our team to schedule a test drive. We will confirm current availability and pricing for you.

The best way to find your Ascent is behind the wheel.

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