Can a Subaru Ascent tow a camper?
By
Elaine Knight
In this article, we will discuss: Can a Subaru Ascent tow a camper? We will discuss Subaru Ascent towing capacity, safety and comfort.
Can a Subaru Ascent tow a camper?
Yes, a Subaru Ascent can tow a camper. Whether you’re towing a boat or a small camper, the Ascent has the goods to handle the task. This Subaru crossover has a robust tow rating, and it can pull up to 5,000 pounds (2267 kgs).
Subaru Ascent Towing Capacity
| Trim Level | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) | Max Towing Capacity (kg) |
| Standard | 2000 lbs | 907 kgs |
| Premium | 5000 lbs | 2267 kgs |
| Limited | 5000 lbs | 2267 kgs |
| Touring | 5000 lbs | 2267 kgs |
What is it like towing with a Subaru Ascent?
Towing with the Ascent is a very different experience. In terms of acceleration and stopping, you barely notice the effect of the trailer. When towing you can keep the adaptive cruise control on 70 for the ride out and you won’t feel like it is pushing the engine too much.
The engine of a Subaru Ascent is a 4 cylinder 2.4L Turbo which produces 277 lb/ft of torque with a continuous variable transmission.
How much space does the Subaru Ascent offer?
The spacious 153.5 cubic foot interior offers three rows of seats that can accommodate up to eight occupants. In addition, the rear doors open 75 degrees to facilitate access to the third row for passengers of all ages. Subaru has of course thought of our four-legged friends, providing enough space behind the third row to accommodate a large dog crate.
The impressive interior volume can also be adapted to suit your cargo needs. Thus, in addition to the compartment under the floor and numerous storage points in the doors, the folding seats allow an additional load capacity of 17.8 cubic feet by lowering the third row and 47.5 cubic feet by lowering the second.
The panoramic sunroof is available on the Touring, Limited and Premier trims.
Subaru Ascent: comfort and performance when towing
Sitting comfortably behind the wheel of the Ascent, you really feel in full control thanks to the eight-way power seat, automatic door locks, one-touch windows and, most importantly, the 6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 5-inch with SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto ™.
Not to mention the Subaru STARLINK Smart Access platform, which allows you to stay connected using your smartphone. This gives you access to features like weather, music and audiobooks while keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
Passengers are not left out, as each enjoys unparalleled comfort and many amenities such as 19 cup holders, six USB ports for charging electronic devices as well as a high-speed wireless Internet connection through a 4G LTE ™ network. And thanks to the automatic three-zone climate control, the whole family will travel comfortably in summer and winter.
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Subaru Ascent: Safety first when towing
If you’re looking for a vehicle to tow your trailer, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that Ascent’s new 4-cylinder Boxer® turbo engine can pull up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg).
Coupled with the Lineartronic® continuously variable transmission, it develops a power of 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and a torque of 277 lb/ft between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm: unheard of for a 4-cylinder.
Add to that the roof rails that can accommodate a rack for bikes or kayaks as well as the X-mode function, which complements the symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive by providing superior off-road capability, and off you go for the big adventure.
The touchscreen infotainment system provides access to your smartphone applications and the safety functions of the Subaru STARLINK platform.
In terms of safety, the car comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, front side airbags and side curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbags and a rearview camera.
Also included is Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist technology, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.
The Premium also includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.
The SUBARU STARLINK ™ Multimedia infotainment system has an 8-inch touch screen on the higher versions (6.5 inches on the rest) and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Built on the Subaru Global flexible platform, which also produces the latest generation Subaru Impreza, the Ascent has a 113.8-inch wheelbase and cargo capacity of up to 152 cubic feet, just like the Honda Pilot, a foot less than the Volkswagen Atlas and five less than the Chevrolet Traverse.
However, the Subaru Ascent has an extra 20 cubic feet of cargo behind the third-row seat back and 73 when the third-row seat backs are folded down.
With Subaru Ascent on the road
The Ascent’s turbo engine packs a punch, making it one of the fastest vehicles in the segment, when you hit the gas, of course.
However, for typical driving, you will need a fine touch for the CVT automatic transmission to run smoothly. Even moderate throttle inputs result in sudden acceleration, which can make passengers uncomfortable.
The steering is fast and responsive and does not require much effort and has an overall feel that is just right for most types of driving. The handling is reliable and flat without a lot of body roll. The four-cylinder engine responds well to all journeys.
Driving it on bad pavement generates a lot of noise and vibration from the tires to the cabin. There’s also the problem of engine noise, which can go from a dull hum to a loud whine as the rpm rises to the red line.
It’s truly a four-season SUV, as it has standard all-wheel drive and includes software-controlled traction and hill descent control.
Combine those features with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and you’ve got an effective combination for tackling the toughest roads.
This is an SUV to be able to circulate every day, with the marked reliability of the brand, without expecting much more from it.
The bottom line
It is difficult for someone from the competition to jump into this SUV, but if any of the more than 600,000 super loyal buyers of Subaru will do it, since the brand is reliable and with models that do not like the eye, but reliable.
It still lags behind the Kia Tellurides, Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot, which are higher rated in several areas.
To my understanding, if you are a lover of the brand, it is a good vehicle to remain loyal to them, but if you cross from the other side, take a good look that the power is what you need for this large SUV.
If you have any questions or comments about towing with a Subaru Ascent, let us know!
FAQ on Can a Subaru ascent tow a camper?
Can the Subaru ascent really tow 5000 lbs?
Yes, the Subaru Ascent can really tow 5000 lbs. Coupled with the Lineartronic® continuously variable transmission, it develops a power of 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and a torque of 277 lb/ft between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm: unheard of for a 4-cylinder.
Which Subaru has the best towing capacity?
Subaru Ascent has the best towing capacity. The car can pull up to 5000 pounds! Whether you’re towing a boat or a small camper, the Ascent has the goods to handle the task.
What SUVs can tow 5000 pounds?
The following SUVs can tow 5000 pounds and more:
- Nissan Pathfinder (6000 lbs);
- Chevrolet Tahoe (8600 lbs);
- Dodge Durango (8700 lbs);
- Ford Expedition (9300 lbs).
References
- 2019 Subaru Ascent Airstream Towing Test – YouTube
- How New 2020 Subaru Ascent Will Work Hard Towing Your Small …
- Subaru Ascent Towing Capacity: A Closer Look | TractionLife
