2025 Subaru Forester vs. Ascent | Features Compared in Moline, IL
For flexible and premium features, turn to either the 2025 Subaru Forester or 2025 Subaru Ascent. The Forester offers off-roading capabilities, as well as two fuel-efficient engine options. Meanwhile, the Ascent is designed to comfortably seat up to eight passengers, plus it offers cutting-edge technology and a turbocharged engine. Read through this 2025 Subaru Forester vs. Ascent comparison put together by the team at McLaughlin Subaru in Moline, IL, to learn more.
If the new Subaru Forester or Ascent seem like they’d be the right fit for your lifestyle, stop by our Subaru dealership near Bettendorf and Davenport, IA, to take a look at one or both models in person. Quickly locate a color and configuration you love in our inventory, then use our online form to schedule a test drive. Have questions for our team? Give us a call at (309) 797-5654 or send us a message.
Key Subaru Ascent Features
The 2025 Subaru Ascent is a sophisticated three-row SUV with room for up to eight passengers and a sizable cargo capacity. Underneath the hood, you’ll find an energetic turbocharged engine that can easily handle towing a light trailer. To take a closer look at the Ascent and its features, head over to our review.
Key Subaru Forester Features
Built for daily commutes and weekend adventures, the 2025 Subaru Forester is designed to suit a wide range of driving styles. In addition to its traditional gas-powered engine, it’s also available with a fuel-efficient hybrid engine on select trims. Plus, there’s an off-road-ready Wilderness trim available for after-work adventures. To fully explore the Forester and all it has to offer, be sure to also check out our review.
Interior Features & Cargo Space Available
When you enter the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2025 Subaru Ascent, you’ll notice the cavernous space throughout both cabins. While the Forester is a two-row SUV and the Ascent is a three-row SUV, they both offer similar amounts of cargo space with the rear rows lowered. The Forester has up to 74.4 cubic feet of cargo space available behind the first row, while the Ascent offers up to 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
In addition to spacious accommodations, you’ll appreciate the comfort-focused interiors of both SUVs. Both offer power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation so you and your co-pilot can adjust your seating as you each see fit. Second-row passengers in each SUV will also appreciate the available heated second-row outboard seats. In the Ascent, you can give your second-row passengers more room to spread out thanks to available captain’s chairs.
Shared interior features include:
- Cloth, leather, or StarTex® water-repellent seat upholstery
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row outboard seats
- Memory settings for driver’s seat
- Reclining second-row 60/40-split flat-folding seatbacks
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather-wrapped shifter handle
- Keyless access with push-button start
Available Subaru Forester interior features include:
- Ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat
- Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat
- Folding rear seat armrest with dual cup holders
- Dual-zone automatic climate control system
Available Subaru Ascent interior features include:
- Nappa leather seat upholstery
- 12-way power adjustable driver's seat with four-way power adjustable lumbar support
- Four-way power adjustable front passenger's seat
- Reclining third-row 60/40-split flat-folding seatbacks
- Optional second-row captain’s chairs
- Auto-dimming rearview compass mirror with HomeLink®
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- 19 cupholders
Engine Options Offered
The lively engines beneath the hoods of the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2025 Subaru Ascent will keep your day going right. The Forester offers a gas engine and hybrid engine, while the Ascent is standard with a turbocharged engine. If you’re looking for impressive fuel economy, the Forester hybrid engine can achieve up to 34 highway MPG. Meanwhile, the Ascent boasts the more powerful performance capabilities — 260-horsepower and a 5,000-pound towing capacity.
If you’re interested in off-roading, you’ll want to consider the Subaru Forester Wilderness trim, which comes equipped with a 182-horsepower 2.5L SUBARU BOXER® four-cylinder engine, a 9.2-inch ground clearance, and a 3,000-pound towing capacity. The standard Forester 2.5L four-cylinder engine can achieve up to 180 horsepower and has a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.
Engine specs are shown in the accompanying table.
Forester | Forester Wilderness | Forester Hybrid | 2025 Subaru Model | Ascent |
2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder | 2.5L hybrid SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder | Engine | 2.4L turbo SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder |
180 HP | 182 HP | 194 combined HP | Horsepower | 260 HP |
178 lb.-ft. | 176 lb.-ft. | 199 lb.-ft. | Torque | 277 lb.-ft. |
26 / 33 | 25 / 28 | 35 / 34 | MPG (City/Hwy) | 20 / 26 |
1,500 lbs. | 3,000 lbs. | 1,500 lbs. | Max. Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. |
Symmetrical AWD | Drivetrain | Symmetrical AWD |
Lineartronic® CVT | Transmission | Lineartronic CVT |
Technology & Safety Features Available
With intuitive technology at your fingertips, you’ll be able to stay informed and entertained in both the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2025 Subaru Ascent. The Forester offers a wider range of infotainment display sizes, while the Ascent is standard with one large display. Connect to your infotainment effortlessly thanks to the available wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Both SUVs offer an elevated listening experience through Harman Kardon® speakers on select trims. The Ascent is also exclusive with a Cabin Connect PA system designed to make communicating with your rear-seat passengers easier.
In both SUVs, you’ll find that most driver assistance and safety features are comparable. The one exception to this is the 180-degree front view camera exclusive to the Forester Wilderness trim, which you can use to monitor your drives on rugged terrain. Other camera systems offered with both SUVs include the standard rear vision camera and the available surround view monitor designed for keeping an eye on the vehicles around you. Plus, both SUVs offer available blind-spot detection as an additional precaution.
Shared technology and driver assistance features include:
Technology features:
- Six-speaker audio system or Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Subaru® Multimedia Plus or Navigation with 11.6-in. display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bluetooth®
- HD Radio™
- SiriusXM® Satellite Radio capability
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi® capability
- Front and rear USB-A and USB-C ports
Driver assistance and safety features:
- DriverFocus® distraction mitigation system
- Rear vision camera
- Surround view monitor
- Blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert
- High beam assist
- Reverse automatic braking
- MySubaru® connected services
- EyeSight® driver assist technology
- Advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering
- Pre-collision braking
- Lane departure and sway warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Automatic emergency steering
Available Subaru Forester technology and driver assistance features include:
- Four-speaker audio system or nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Subaru Live Traffic
- Subaru Multimedia system with dual 7-in. displays or Multimedia Plus or Navigation with 8-in. display
- 4.2-in. instrument cluster display or 12.3-in. configurable fully digital instrument cluster
- 6.3-in. color multifunction display
- 180-degree front view monitor
Available Subaru Ascent technology and driver assistance features include:
- 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Cabin Connect PA system
- 120V AC power outlet
