If you’re shopping for a family-friendly three-row SUV near Buda, TX, two top contenders are the 2026 Subaru Ascent and the 2026 Honda Pilot. Both offer seating for up to eight passengers and strong towing capability, but the Ascent stands out with outstanding value, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, proven Subaru reliability, and advanced safety features designed for confident family travel.

At City Limits Subaru, we help drivers compare the vehicles that matter most. Browse our new Subaru Ascent inventory today and see why the Ascent is one of the smartest SUVs for growing families.

What’s New for the 2026 Subaru Ascent?

The 2026 Subaru Ascent is the largest Subaru ever built, delivering comfort and capability to the third row. Designed for real families and real adventures, the Ascent offers flexible seating for seven or eight passengers, excellent fuel economy for its class, and the confidence of Subaru’s standard all-weather performance.

Highlights of the 2026 Subaru Ascent

• Outstanding value starting at $40,795
• Up to 26/19 MPG (hwy/city)
• Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive on every trim
• 8.7 inches of ground clearance (more standard capability than many rivals)
• Seating for up to 8 passengers
• Up to 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space
• 5,000 lbs towing capacity
• Standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology
• Available DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System
• Consumer Reports Recommended Vehicle
• Subaru named 2025 Best Overall Automotive Brand and 2025 Most Reliable Automotive Brand (Consumer Reports)

Key Takeaways

1. The Ascent offers a lower starting price than the Honda Pilot while still delivering three-row space and capability.
2. Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive gives the Ascent an advantage over Pilot trims where AWD may be optional.
3. Subaru safety and reliability ratings make the Ascent a strong long-term family SUV investment.

2026 Subaru Ascent Trim Levels

The Ascent lineup offers a variety of trims that blend comfort, premium interior options, and family-focused technology.

What trim levels are available for the new Ascent? The 2026 Subaru Ascent is available in multiple seven-passenger and eight-passenger configurations, giving families more flexibility than many competitors.

2026 Subaru Ascent Premium 8-Passenger

• Seating for 8
• 5,000 lbs towing capacity
• StarTex® upholstery with silver contrast stitching
• All-Weather Package

2026 Subaru Ascent Premium 7-Passenger

• Seating for 7
• 5,000 lbs towing capacity
• StarTex® upholstery with silver contrast stitching
• All-Weather Package

2026 Subaru Ascent Limited 8-Passenger

• Leather-trimmed upholstery with silver contrast stitching
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Subaru Multimedia System with Navigation
• Seating for 8

2026 Subaru Ascent Limited 7-Passenger

• Leather-trimmed upholstery with silver contrast stitching
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Subaru Multimedia System with Navigation
• Seating for 7

2026 Subaru Ascent Limited Bronze Edition 7-Passenger

• Black StarTex® upholstery with bronze contrast stitching
• 20-inch bronze-finish alloy wheels
• Subaru Multimedia System with Navigation

2026 Subaru Ascent Touring 7-Passenger

• Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery
• Subaru Multimedia System with Navigation
• Harman Kardon® Quantum Logic Surround Sound

2026 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Touring 7-Passenger

• Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery
• 20-inch black-finish alloy wheels
• Black grille and exterior trim

Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot: Interior Space & Comfort

Both the 2026 Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot are designed for families, but the Ascent provides a strong advantage in passenger comfort. Subaru notes the Ascent offers up to 153.2 cubic feet of passenger space and more third-row legroom than popular competitors, including the Honda Pilot. That makes it a strong pick for families who regularly use the third row.

The Pilot offers impressive premium touches like available leather-trimmed seating, a panoramic moonroof, and tri-zone climate control. However, the Ascent matches that family-friendly comfort while offering multiple seating layouts and a reputation for long-term durability.

2026 Subaru Ascent Safety Features Near Buda, TX

When comparing three-row SUVs, safety is often the deciding factor for families. The Subaru Ascent is engineered to keep drivers confident with standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and a wide range of available active safety systems. While the Honda Pilot includes Honda Sensing® across the lineup, Subaru adds additional driver awareness options like DriverFocus®.

What are the safety features of the new Subaru Ascent? The Ascent offers standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and available advanced driver monitoring systems.

Subaru Ascent Safety Features Include:

• EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology (standard)
• Automatic Emergency Steering (available)
• Blind-Spot Detection (available)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (available)
• DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System (available)
• Protective active safety systems designed to monitor your surroundings

Honda Pilot Safety Features (For Comparison)

• Honda Sensing® Suite
• Collision Mitigation Braking System™
• Road Departure Mitigation System
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Blind Spot Information System
• Cross Traffic Monitor

Ascent advantage: Both SUVs offer strong safety technology, but the Ascent adds value through Subaru’s safety engineering legacy and available DriverFocus® distraction monitoring—ideal for busy families driving around Central Texas.

2026 Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot Performance & Capability

Capability is another area where these SUVs compete closely. Both the Ascent and Pilot offer up to 5,000 lbs of towing, making either a solid choice for trailers, boats, or weekend toys.

2026 Subaru Ascent Capability Highlights

• 5,000 lbs towing capacity
• Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• 8.7 inches of ground clearance
• Built for all-weather confidence
• MPG up to 26/19 highway/city

2026 Honda Pilot Capability Highlights

• Up to 5,000 lbs towing capacity
• Available i-VTM4® AWD system
• 7-mode drive system including Tow, Trail, Sand, and Snow
• 19/27 city/highway MPG rating
• 285-hp V6 engine with 10-speed automatic transmission

Ascent advantage: The Pilot offers impressive performance features and drive modes, but the Ascent wins with standard AWD across every trim and a lower starting price—giving families more capability without requiring upgrades.

New 2026 Subaru Ascent FAQs Near Buda, TX

How much does the 2026 Subaru Ascent cost?

The 2026 Subaru Ascent starts at $40,795, making it a strong value in the three-row SUV segment.

How does the Ascent compare to the Honda Pilot?

Both offer seating for up to 8 and towing up to 5,000 pounds, but the Ascent offers a lower starting price, standard AWD, and strong reliability recognition.

Does the 2026 Subaru Ascent come with AWD?

Yes. The Ascent comes standard with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive on every trim.

How many passengers can the Ascent seat?

The Ascent offers both 7-passenger and 8-passenger configurations.

What is the MPG of the 2026 Subaru Ascent?

The Ascent offers fuel economy up to 26/19 MPG (highway/city).

How much can the 2026 Subaru Ascent tow?

The 2026 Subaru Ascent can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Is the Subaru Ascent reliable?

Yes. The Ascent is a Consumer Reports Recommended Vehicle, and Subaru was named the 2025 Most Reliable Automotive Brand.

Test Drive the 2026 Subaru Ascent in Buda, TX

If you’re shopping for a three-row SUV near Buda and comparing the 2026 Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot, the best next step is to get behind the wheel. The Ascent delivers the family space you need, the standard AWD confidence you want, and the value Subaru is known for.

See how the 2026 Subaru Ascent fits your family’s needs at City Limits Subaru. Conveniently located at 14457 I-35, Buda, TX, 78610, our team is ready to help you compare trims, review financing options, and get top value for your trade-in. Call (737) 637-1029 or explore our online inventory today to schedule your test drive and experience Subaru’s largest SUV firsthand.

DISCLAIMERS:

EPA fuel economy estimates. Actual mileage will vary with driving conditions and your vehicle’s condition.

Based on competitor information from manufacturer websites as of July 2025.

EyeSight is a driver-assist system that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather, and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations

DriverFocus is a driver recognition technology designed to alert the driver if their attention to the road wavers or if the driver’s face appears to turn away. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness may be affected by articles of clothing worn on the head or face. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operations and limitations.

Automatic Emergency Steering is a system designed to assist the driver. It is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. Automatic Emergency Steering works in conjunction with and after Pre-Collision Braking has been activated by providing steering support at speeds lower than 50 mph to try and help avoid a collision. See Owner’s Manual for complete details, including important system limitations. Availability varies by trim level.

Blind-Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are systems designed to assist the driver by monitoring the rear and side areas of the vehicle during a lane change or reversing and are not a substitute for safe and attentive driving

Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services

Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level. Trailer brakes may be needed. See your retailer for details.