2023 Subaru Outback vs. 2023 Subaru Ascent Comparison | Bensenville, IL

Grab the kids, the pets, or your adventurous friends and head out in style and comfort in a new 2023 Subaru Outback or 2023 Subaru Ascent. Both models offer loads of interior space as well as off-road capabilities, but which SUV is ideal for your needs? This side-by-side review from the team at Grand Subaru in Bensenville, IL, takes a look at what each model offers in key areas to help you determine what appeals most to you. For more model-specific information, visit our Outback review and Ascent review pages.

If you’re ready to check out the Outback or Ascent in person and get behind the wheel, search our Outback inventory or Ascent inventory to locate a favorite model and trim, then contact us at

(888) 840-3934 or start a live chat to schedule a test drive. View our convenient business hours and directions to plan your visit to our dealership.

If you’re thinking about leasing or financing the new Outback or Ascent, visit our finance center for helpful tools and information and to begin the process of securing an auto loan or lease through Grand Subaru.

Exterior Design & Features

Exterior styling on both the 2023 Outback and 2023 Ascent embraces the adventurous spirit that outdoor enthusiasts and families appreciate about a Subaru. Practicality on the 2023 Subaru Outback and 2023 Subaru Ascent begins with an 8.7-inch ground clearance and a traction control system to help you head off on less-even terrain with confidence. If you choose the more rugged Outback Wilderness trim, ride height increases to 9.5 inches.

Other unique off-roading details on the Outback Wilderness trim include a front skid plate, approach and departure design detailing on the front and rear bumpers, and Yokohama GEOLANDAR® off-roading wheels with all-terrain tires.

Exterior design features you’ll find on both the Outback and Ascent include:

• LED steering responsive headlights
• LED fog lights
• Raised roof rails
• Aluminum alloy wheels 
• All-season tires 
• Manual- or power-folding side mirrors with or without integrated turn signals

For added convenience on rainy or snowy days, the three-row Ascent also includes a rear window wiper.

Interior Comfort & Technology

The two-row 2023 Outback comfortably accommodates five passengers while the three-row 2023 Ascent seats up to seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you choose second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. 

Interior features both models have include:

• Power tilt/sliding moonroof (panoramic on Ascent)
• Keyless access with push-button start
• Rear gate with automatic close, height memory function, and vehicle lock button (hands-free on Outback)
• Climate control system (dual-zone on Outback, tri-zone on Ascent)
• Heated, leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel with integrated controls
• Manually adjustable tilt/telescoping steering 
• Slide-in rear cargo area with cargo management solutions

Among the entertainment features you’ll find are a four- or six-speaker audio system or 12-speaker Harman Kardon® premium audio system on the Outback and a six-speaker audio system or 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system on the Ascent.

Both models also feature:

• SUBARU STARLINK® multimedia systems with/without navigation and a 7- or 11.6-in. center display 
• Bluetooth® hands-free phone, text messaging, and streaming audio 
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio and Travel Link® 
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ 
• AM/FM/HD Radio™ 
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability
• Illuminated front-row USB-A and USB-C input ports

2023 Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Ascent Dimensions & Cargo Space

The 2023 Subaru Outback and 2023 Subaru Ascent offer a similar amount of expandable cargo space when their rear seat rows are folded down — 75.6 cubic feet. 

2023 Subaru Outback	Model	2023 Subaru Ascent
109 cu.-ft.	Passenger Volume	153.2 cu.-ft.
- /32.6/75.6 cu.-ft.	Cargo Capacity (Behind third/second/first row)	17.8/43.5/75.6 cu.-ft.
-/40.1/39.1 in.	Headroom  (front/middle/rear)	41.2/40/36.2 in.
-/42.8/39.5 in.	Legroom (front/middle/rear)	42.2/38.6/31.7 in.

Engine Performance & Towing Capacity

You can get the same level of power output on both the 2023 Outback and 2023 Ascent. Each model features dependable SUBARU BOXER® engines along with the Subaru symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Mated to these engines is a Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission).

2023 Subaru Outback		Model	2023 Subaru Ascent
2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder	2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder	Engine	2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder
182 HP	260 HP	Horsepower	260 HP
176 lb.-ft.	277 lb.-ft.	Torque	277 lb.-ft.
26 city/32 hwy	22 city/29 hwy	Fuel Economy (MPG)	20 city/26 hwy
2,700 lbs.	3,500 lbs.	Max. Towing	5,000 lbs.

2023 Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Ascent Colors

Choose an exterior color inspired by the warm, rich colors you find in nature.

2023 Subaru Outback

• Geyser Blue
• Crystal Black Silica
• Cosmic Blue Pearl
• Crystal White Pearl
• Crimson Red Pearl
• Brilliant Bronze Metallic
• Autumn Green Metallic
• Ice Silver Metallic
• Magnetite Gray Metallic

2023 Subaru Ascent

• Crystal Black Silica
• Dark Mahogany Pearl
• Crystal White Pearl
• Cosmic Blue Pearl
• Crimson Red Pearl
• Ice Silver Metallic
• Autumn Green Metallic
• Magnetite Gray Metallic

Safety & Driver Assistance Features

Both Subaru SUVs come equipped with a host of active and passive safety features and driver assistance – beginning with the EyeSight® driver assistance technology suite. Among the tech features is a pre-collision braking feature that initiates braking in an emergency situation where the potential for a front-end collision exists.

Unique on the 2023 Subaru Ascent is an in-cabin public address (PA) system that lets you check in on your third-row passengers. 

Other safety features both Subaru models include:

• High beam assist
• Rear vision camera with washer
• Surround view monitor
• DriverFocus® distraction mitigation system
• Blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert
• Reverse automatic braking
• Brake override system
• Brake assist
• Auto-dimming or smart auto-dimming rear view compass mirror with HomeLink®
• Tire pressure monitoring
• LATCH child seat mounting system
• Comprehensive airbag system

2022 Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Ascent Comparison | Features & Specs

Are you looking for an SUV that’s engineered with the quality, all-terrain capability, and features you expect from Subaru? Then you’re probably looking at the Subaru Outback and the Subaru Ascent as options for your next vehicle. Besides the larger size, greater seating capacity, and three-row layout of the Ascent, there are a number of other differences, which we’ve outlined in this 2022 Subaru Outback vs. 2022 Subaru Ascent comparison.

You can find the Outback and the Ascent at Grand Subaru in Bensenville, IL. We feature a variety of models in our Subaru Outback inventory and our Subaru Ascent inventory, with a starting MSRP for the Outback of $27,145 and a starting MSRP for the Ascent of $32,295. Consider whether a Subaru Outback lease or a Subaru Ascent lease is right for you, and call us at (888) 840-3934 or reach us online with any questions.

Subaru Outback Key Features

The 2022 Subaru Outback is engineered for outdoor adventure, with a rugged drivetrain designed for off-road capability plus trail-ready features you’ll appreciate on every trip. Check out our Subaru Outback review and models available in our Subaru Outback inventory. Features available with the Outback include:

• Symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD)
• Power tilt/sliding moonroof
• Hands-free power rear gate with height memory function
• 18-in. alloy wheels
• LED steering responsive headlights with LED fog lights and daytime running lights
• Raised roof rails

Subaru Ascent Key Features

When you need space for the whole family, but still want the performance and features of a Subaru, the 2022 Subaru Ascent SUV may be right for you. You’ll find seating for up to eight people, or seven with second-row captain’s chairs, across three rows. Learn more with our Subaru Ascent review, then peruse available models of this impressive SUV in our Subaru Ascent inventory. Available features include:

• Symmetrical AWD
• Power tilt/sliding panoramic moonroof
• Power rear gate with height memory function
• 20-in. alloy wheels
• LED steering responsive headlights with LED fog lights
• Power-folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Raised roof rails

Interior Features & Cargo Space Compared

Subaru has designed both the 2022 Outback and 2022 Ascent with intuitive and comfortable interiors to help you relax on the road. The Outback offers seating for five in two rows, versus the three rows of seating for seven or eight people you’ll find in the Ascent. Find more information on interior amenities and cargo capacity for both models in this chart.

2022 Subaru Outback	Model	2022 Subaru Ascent
Cloth, StarTex®, leather, or Nappa leather	Upholstery	Cloth, StarTex, or leather
12-speaker Harman Kardon®	Premium Audio System	14-speaker Harman Kardon Quantum Surround Sound
Dual-zone automatic	Climate Control	Tri-zone automatic
Heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable	Front Seats	Heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable
Heated outboard seats	Second-Row Seats	Heated captain’s chairs
75.7 cu.-ft. / 32.5 cu.-ft.	Cargo Volume (Behind First / Second Row)	75.6 cu.-ft. / 43.5 cu.-ft.

Engine Specs Offered

Both the 2022 Subaru Outback and 2022 Subaru Ascent are available with a four-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® engine, symmetrical AWD, X-Mode® traction control, and vehicle dynamics control. The Outback comes with a 2.5L, 182-horsepower engine on most trims but is also available with the more powerful 260-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is standard with the larger Ascent. Find engine and towing specs on both models in this chart.

2022 Subaru Outback	Model	2022 Subaru Ascent
2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder	Engine	2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder
182 HP	Horsepower	260 HP
176 lb.-ft.	Torque	277 lb.-ft.
2,700 lbs.	Max. Towing Capacity	5,000 lbs.
26 city / 33 hwy MPG	Fuel Economy	21 city / 27 hwy MPG

Technology & Safety Features

Stay connected and entertained in either the Subaru Outback or Subaru Ascent. Both are fitted with the SUBARU STARLINK® multimedia plus system, with an 11.6-inch touchscreen on the Outback or an 8-inch touchscreen on the Ascent. And you’ll find the following tech features on both vehicles as well:

• GPS navigation system
• Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with Traffic® and Travel Link® capability
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capability
• HD Radio®
• Bluetooth®

Make every drive with added confidence thanks to the cutting-edge driver assistance and safety features of the 2022 Outback and Ascent. The Outback alone offers the DriverFocus® distraction mitigation system, while both models come with these available features:

• EyeSight® driver assist technology
• Blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert
• Reverse automatic braking
• 180-degree front view monitor