The new Subaru Ascent is the largest of the brand’s models, and it is your choice for a Subaru large SUV with three rows of seating. Boasting up to 153.2 cubic feet of passenger volume and a maximum of 75.6 cubes of cargo space, you can bring your whole crew or load up on equipment. Compare the Ascent to other Subaru models, where we cover key dimensions and how they can suit your lifestyle. Then, explore the lineup at Hughes Subaru.
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2024 Subaru Ascent | 2025 Subaru Outback | 2025 Subaru Forester | 2024 Subaru Solterra | 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seats | 7 or 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Max. Exterior Length | 196.8 in | 191.9 in | 183.3 in | 184.6 in | 176.4 in |
Max. Exterior Width (w/o Mirrors) | 76 in | 74.6 in | 72.0 in | 73.2 in | 71.7 in |
Max. Exterior Height (w/ Roof Rails) | 71.6 in | 66.9 in | 68.1 in | 65 in | 63.6 in |
Max. Ground Clearance | 8.7 in | 9.5 in | 8.7 in | 8.3 in | 9.3 in |
Max. Interior Passenger Volume | 153.2 cu ft | 109 cu ft | 110.8 cu ft | 95.7 cu ft | 100.5 cu ft |
Max. Interior Legroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 42.2 / 38.6 / 31.7 in | 42.8 / 39.5 / N/A in | 43.3 / 39.4 / N/A in | 42.1 / 35.3 / N/A in | 42.9 / 36.5 / N/A in |
Max. Interior Headroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 41.2 / 40 / 36.2 in | 40.1 / 39.1 / N/A in | 41.2 / 39.6 / N/A in | 38.8 / 38 / N/A in | 39.8 / 38 / N/A in |
Max. Interior Shoulder Room (1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 61.1 / 60.3 / 57 in | 58.1 / 57.4 / N/A in | 57.7 / 56.7 / N/A in | 57.8 / 56 / N/A in | 56.8 / 55.3 / N/A in |
Max. Cargo Space Behind Second-Row Seats | 43.5 cu ft | 32.6 cu ft | 29.6 cu ft | 23.8 cu ft | 20 cu ft |
Max. Cargo Space Behind Front Seats | 75.6 cu ft | 75.6 cu ft | 74.4 cu ft | 63.5 cu ft | 54.9 cu ft |
As you saw in the chart, the five Subaru SUVs are placed in the following order:
If you’re looking for a three-row SUV, the Ascent is the best (and only) option in the Subaru large SUV roster. Likewise, the Solterra is the easy choice for those seeking an all-electric adventure-ready SUV.
However, deciding between the other three small and large Subaru SUV models isn’t as simple. There are several factors to consider, so ask yourself the following questions:
A Subaru large SUV like the Outback will be more difficult to get through a packed workplace parking lot and less fuel-efficient than the small Crosstrek. However, the roomier Outback will be a lot more pleasant and practical during long road trips. The Forester is a good balance between these two size propositions.
There’s also the matter of style. Some people prefer the looks of the Crosstrek over the Subaru large SUV lineup, while others can’t get enough of the commanding design of the Outback.
The most important factor for many, though, is that a big Subaru SUV will typically cost more than a smaller one.
We highly recommend stopping by your local Subaru dealership to explore each Subaru SUV in person. You can do this today at Hughes Subaru. After you experience their exterior and interior sizes, we’ll let you test-drive any of our current new Subaru SUVs for sale.
We know now that the biggest Subaru large SUV, the Ascent, is your one and only choice for fitting more than five passengers. So, let’s look at some other nuances you should consider when comparing five-seaters.
For starters, the Forester can surprise some shoppers, as it offers more passenger volume than the larger Outback. This, specifically, is a result of the Forester SUV’s taller exterior and
extra headroom.
The Forester is incredibly popular with tall drivers, as it offers more front-seat headroom and legroom than any of the Subaru large SUV models. However, it demands a compromise in terms of shoulder room, as it is narrower than the Outback.
Likewise, the Crosstrek may offer more headroom and legroom than the Solterra, but the Solterra has more shoulder room. Here’s how each Subaru SUV compares on the inside:
Generally speaking, a Subaru large SUV can carry more cargo than a small one. The only exception to this is the all-electric Solterra, as its unique engineering makes it a bit less cargo-capable than the Forester, which is slightly smaller in terms of length and width.
There is also the matter of where the cargo space is measured from. For example, if you compare the top two big Subaru cars, the Ascent and Outback, they actually tie for cargo room if you count from behind the front seats. However, if you measure from behind the second-row seats, the larger Ascent provides a lot more room. The lineup is otherwise very straightforward: it follows the size order we established at the start of this guide.
We hope you’ve found this guide helpful and have a better sense of which Subaru large SUV is right for your needs. It’s always best to visit a dealership and see the vehicles in person, though. If our dealership, Hughes Subaru, is local to you, swing by – we’d be happy to take you on a tour of the lineup and help you lease a Subaru SUV.
The Subaru Ascent is the biggest Subaru SUV by a sizable margin. It offers the largest seating capacity (up to eight), the most passenger volume, the most shoulder room, and the most cargo room behind the second-row seats out of the entire Subaru model lineup. The Outback comes in second place, offering five seats and the same maximum cargo volume.
No, the Subaru Outback is larger than the Forester. The Outback is 8.6 inches longer and 2.2 inches wider than the Forester. However, the Forester is 2 inches taller than the Outback and offers more front-seat legroom than any other Subaru SUV. The Outback, though, has more cargo space and shoulder room than the Forester.
A Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV that measures up to 176.4 inches long, 71.7 inches wide, and 63.6 inches tall. It is the smallest Subaru SUV but still offers impressive interior space. The Crosstrek, in fact, has a tiny bit of extra front legroom compared to the much larger Outback and exceeds the larger Solterra for front-row headroom.
A Subaru Forester is a compact SUV with a 183.3-inch long, 72-inch wide, and 68.1-inch tall exterior. Inside, this five-seat SUV is impressively roomy, outdoing Subaru large SUV models like the Outback for headroom and passenger volume. But conversely, the Forester has less shoulder room than the Outback. Compare them today at Hughes Subaru.