If seven seats just aren’t enough, the Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger gives you one more without sacrificing the utility of the three-row design. Second row bench seating accommodates eight passengers, but standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, X-MODE, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance make sure that capability is still part of the package.
When you have more demands on your SUV in and around Carson City, NV, it is logical to have a car with more capability. Imagine school drop-off, carpooling, trips to the grocery store, family road trips across the state, and weekend trips with even more passengers and luggage. The 60/40 split second-row seatbacks will help accommodate the shift in utility.
The main reason to pick the Premium 8‑Passenger is simple: it lets you carry eight people. The seven‑passenger model uses captain’s chairs in the row, but the Premium 8‑Passenger uses a bench seat so another passenger can join. I also like how the bench seat gives seating without sacrificing comfort.
The second row is more than a seat. I like how the 60/40 split lets me change the space. The folding feature enables the space to be flattened to combine passengers and cargo space together. With the seating positions folded back, there is up to 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space. It can be used to carry luggage, sports equipment, camping equipment, groceries, or large things. I like the amount of legroom available in the third row. There is sufficient room for passengers, providing 31.7 inches of legroom in the third row.
The 8-Passenger Premium features a 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine with an output of 260 HP and 277 lb-ft torque. The engine powers through the Lineartronic CVT and distributes its power via the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. I appreciate the power. Feel comfortable when the SUV is full. That setup is especially helpful when the SUV carries passengers and baggage. The turbocharged engine gives the power necessary for merging onto highways, climbing long hills, and driving with a full cabin without needing a bigger engine.
For use, the Premium 8‑Passenger can tow up to 5,000 pounds when it has the right equipment. That lets owners haul trailers and outdoor gear on weekend outings as long as the trailer and total weight stay inside the vehicle’s limits. I enjoy using the towing capacity for trips, especially when a full cabin and a trailer are needed.
When driving around Carson City, one may be switching from city streets to highways, mountains, and places where weather can change rapidly. The Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive provides power distribution all the time to increase traction, whereas 8.7 inches of ground clearance gives enough space above any rough terrain.
Also, there is X-MODE and Hill Descent Control in Premium trim equipment. X-MODE is a system that helps the all-wheel drive get better traction when roads are wet or covered with ice, snow, mud, and other similar conditions, whereas Hill Descent Control assists during descending the steep slopes.
This feature does not mean that it replaces good tires and careful driving especially in heavy winter conditions, but only adds additional capabilities to drivers when dealing with rain, snow, gravel, and other such obstacles.
The Premium configuration focuses on useful equipment rather than simply adding luxury features. An 11.6-inch Subaru Multimedia System is standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing compatible smartphones to connect without requiring a cable for those functions.
Heated front seats are also standard, which can be especially welcome during colder Nevada mornings. The vehicle includes USB-C and USB-A ports in the third row, helping passengers keep their devices powered during longer journeys.
A standard power rear gate is another practical feature. It can make loading easier when you’re carrying groceries, luggage, sports equipment, or other items and don’t have a free hand to lift the hatch manually.
With a full cabin, driver awareness becomes even more important. The Ascent comes equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, a collection of driver-assistance features designed to provide additional support during everyday driving.
The system is intended to assist rather than replace an attentive driver. Drivers remain responsible for steering, braking, monitoring traffic, and adjusting their driving to weather and road conditions.
For a family vehicle that may regularly carry children, relatives, friends, or other passengers, having driver-assistance technology available can be an important part of the overall ownership experience.
The main decision between the Premium 8-Passenger and Premium 7-Passenger comes down to how you use the second row.
The eight-passenger version uses a bench seat and maximizes passenger capacity. It’s a logical choice for larger families, carpools, or anyone who frequently needs room for one additional passenger.
The seven-passenger configuration replaces the bench with second-row captain’s chairs. That setup provides easier access through the second row and a more separated seating arrangement.
Higher Ascent trims add additional comfort, technology, and convenience equipment, but they don’t necessarily make sense for every buyer. If your priority is maximum seating capacity combined with standard all-wheel-drive capability, turbocharged power, and practical family features, the Premium 8-Passenger configuration deserves a close look.
What makes this design particularly useful is its flexibility when dealing with an unexpected schedule. On one hand, you may require the use of all eight seats to transport your family. On the other hand, you may need to fold part of the second or third row to accommodate additional cargo.
Such flexibility would be very useful for families who do not wish to choose between passenger accommodation and cargo versatility. Combine it with the all-wheel drive system, X-MODE technology, high ground clearance, and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, and you have a versatile vehicle that will come in handy in any situation.
It is a highly suitable solution for Carson City residents due to its ability to combine passenger space, cargo versatility, and capability.
It makes it easier to make decisions about which 3-row SUV is right for you by taking into account how you normally drive. The decision to have a seat in the middle row that can accommodate more people and can be folded away when necessary is an important one when you often transport more people than just your family.
Come down to Michael Hohl Subaru to see all of the options we have available, determine whether the Premium 8-Passenger layout is right for you, and find out more about the options for financing a car.
What is the difference between Ascent Premium 8-Passenger and the 7-Passenger?
The biggest difference between the two models – Ascent Premium 8-Passenger and the 7-Passenger lies in the second row seating arrangement. The 8-Passenger has a bench style seating in the second row and is able to accommodate up to eight passengers, whereas the 7-Passenger has a couple of second-row captain’s chairs that not only divide the passengers but also make access to the third row easier. The 8-Passenger is better suited for families, carpools, and any situation where an extra seat is required for seven people. Both models have three rows of seating and come with Subaru All-Wheel Drive and a 260 hp turbocharged engine as standard features.
What is the towing capacity of the Subaru Ascent?
The newly launched Ascent is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds when configured appropriately. The Premium 8-Passenger version comes with the standard engine of a 260-horsepower turbocharged Subaru Boxer motor coupled with 277 pounds-feet of torque, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive from Subaru, and Lineartronic CVT. With such an engine and other specifications, the subcompact SUV becomes able to tow some specific boats, watercraft, utility and recreational items, or even a trailer to travel. The actual towing capacity will depend upon passengers, cargo, equipment, among others. It is important to consider vehicle guidelines while choosing a trailer.
Is the Ascent 8-Passenger family-friendly?
For families who make full use of all their seating regularly, the Ascent 8-Passenger could be a great option. The Ascent 8-Passenger comes with an available 3rd-row 60/40 split-foldable bench seat, and a standard 2nd row for up to 8 passengers in total. There should be sufficient space for everyone, as Subaru estimates there will be 31.7 inches of legroom in the 3rd row and up to 75.6 cu-ft of cargo space with the 3rd-row seat folded down.
Is the Subaru Ascent suitable for Carson City and Nevada’s driving conditions?
The Subaru Ascent is capable in most weather conditions and for several terrain changes thanks to its Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. There is also 8.7 inches of ground clearance and the X-MODE feature, which allows drivers to optimize its engine, transmission, braking system, and all-wheel drive for maximum traction when driving through various tough terrain conditions, but if it really started to snow, Ice, or become really muddy in an arid, barren Nevada area, you would get too much momentum to actually gain anything. When driving up or down many more severe slopes in the mountains bordering Carson City, one can engage the Premium’s new Hill Descent Control for even more comfort during difficult and slick terrain by modulating the vehicle’s braking force. Always exercise caution by adapting speed and attention to conditions and consider installing appropriate tires before traveling during severe weather.
How good is the Premium 8-Passenger for road trips?
For families with more than a handful of passengers that they often bring with them, the configuration can offer them a mix of capability from their car and versatility with seat setup and cargo storage that they’ll desire. Customers in Carson City, can enjoy highway range of over 500 miles per fill, according to Subaru estimates, and the available dual front and rear USB-A and USB-C ports mean that every seat has its own charging capability to the 11.6-inch infotainment system, which is standard and boasts wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the family 8-Passenger car model in Carson City is an economical and sensible choice for families who will likely travel with as much cargo and as many people as that of which the Subaru Ascent is capable.
