When it comes to choosing a versatile SUV that balances comfort, capability, and safety, Subaru offers two outstanding options in the 2025 Ascent and the 2025 Outback Wilderness. Both vehicles reflect Subaru's unwavering commitment to reliability, advanced engineering, and all-weather performance, yet each one is uniquely suited to meet different needs and lifestyles. The 2025 Subaru Ascent is built with growing families and group travelers in mind. Offering three spacious rows of seating for up to eight passengers, it ensures that every journey-whether a quick trip across Salem or a weekend adventure to the coast-is handled with ease. Along with ample passenger and cargo space, the Ascent brings a host of standard safety features, cutting-edge technology, and impressive towing capacity, making it a perfect choice for those who want practicality without sacrificing comfort. Meanwhile, the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness is crafted for the explorers at heart. Tuned for off-road adventures, it boasts higher ground clearance, rugged exterior enhancements, and a specialized drivetrain designed to conquer trails and rough conditions. It provides a balance of day-to-day usability and true off-road prowess that few midsize crossovers can match. In this detailed comparison, we'll explore how the 2025 Subaru Ascent and 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness differ in design, comfort, performance, safety, and overall value-helping you find the Subaru that fits your next journey perfectly.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness: Design & Exterior Features
The 2025 Subaru Ascent presents a bold and commanding presence with its substantial size and refined styling. It features LED headlights, a prominent grille, and sleek lines that convey sophistication. The Ascent's design emphasizes practicality, offering features like raised roof rails and a power rear gate to enhance utility. In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness showcases a rugged and adventurous aesthetic. It boasts increased ground clearance of 9.5 inches, protective body cladding, and unique front and rear bumpers designed for improved approach and departure angles. The Outback Wilderness also includes a matte black hood decal to reduce glare and exclusive Geyser Blue paint, reinforcing its off-road readiness.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness: Comfort & Technology
Inside the Ascent, passengers are treated to a spacious cabin with seating configurations for seven or eight occupants. The vehicle offers up to 153.2 cubic feet of passenger space, ensuring ample room for everyone. Standard features include tri-zone climate control and an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. Higher trims provide additional luxuries like ventilated front seats and a panoramic moonroof. The Outback Wilderness, while seating up to five passengers, focuses on durability and comfort for outdoor adventures. It comes equipped with water-repellent StarTex® upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a heated steering wheel. The 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system also supports wireless smartphone integration, ensuring connectivity on the go.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness: Performance
Both the Ascent and Outback Wilderness are powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER® engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Ascent's drivetrain is paired with a Lineartronic® CVT and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, providing a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. It also features 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-MODE® for enhanced traction on slippery surfaces. The Outback Wilderness enhances off-road performance with revised transmission gearing and a shorter final drive ratio, allowing it to climb up to a 40% grade. Its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, front skid plate, and dual-function X-MODE® with settings for dirt/snow and deep snow/mud make it exceptionally capable on rugged terrains. The Outback Wilderness offers a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness: Safety
Safety is paramount in both models. The 2025 Ascent has been recognized as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and received a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It comes standard with EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and pre-collision braking. The Outback Wilderness also prioritizes safety with standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. While specific 2025 safety ratings for the Outback Wilderness are pending, previous models have consistently earned high marks from both IIHS and NHTSA. Additional safety features include blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking, enhancing driver confidence on and off the road.
2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness: Overall Value
Both the 2025 Subaru Ascent and the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness deliver outstanding value, each catering to different lifestyles and driving needs. The Ascent shines as a spacious, family-friendly SUV with seating for up to eight passengers, making it ideal for daily commutes, weekend trips, and long road adventures. Its blend of advanced safety technology, generous interior space, and strong towing capabilities makes it a practical and dependable choice for a wide range of drivers. The 2025 Outback Wilderness, on the other hand, is engineered for those who seek adventure beyond the pavement. Its rugged design, increased ground clearance, and off-road enhancements allow it to tackle more challenging terrain while still providing a comfortable, feature-rich driving experience. For outdoor enthusiasts and explorers, the Outback Wilderness stands as a highly capable and reliable companion.
 | 2025 Subaru Ascent | 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Engine | 2.4L Turbocharged BOXER® | 2.4L Turbocharged BOXER® |
| Standard Horsepower | 260 | 260 |
| Standard Torque | 277 | 277 |
| Standard Ground Clearance | 8.7 Inches | 9.5 Inches |
| Standard Fuel Economy | 20 City/26 Highway | 21 City/26 Highway |
| Standard Tires | All-Season | All-Terrain |
| Max Cargo Volume (Cubic Feet) | 75.6 | 75.6 |
| Standard Climate Control | Tri-Zone | Dual-Zone |
| Standard Roof Rail Capacity | 150 lbs. | 700 lbs. |
| Standard Multimedia Touchscreen Size | 11.6-inch | 11.6-inch |
