Subaru Ascent 3rd Row Seating Review

A great choice for big families is the Subaru Ascent, where you can unwind in the third-row seat with its 31.7 inches of legroom.
Written by Christelle Agustin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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Made for big families, the eight-seater 2023
Subaru
Ascent has 31.7 inches of legroom in its third-row seat. Whether you’ve got a younger bunch or teenagers, trips of every kind are a cinch in this spacious SUV. 
Family cars that are stylish, spacious, and affordable are hard to come by, especially if they’re minivans. Presenting the three-row SUV: good-looking, practical, and spacious. You can finally forget about minivans and browse the growing inventory of family-friendly SUVs.
Included in the list is the Subaru Ascent, a fantastic contender for family vehicles—here to walk you through the Ascent’s third-row specs is
Jerry
, the
licensed insurance broker
and super app. Is your family the perfect fit for the Ascent or should you go for an alternative? Keep reading to find out!
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What is the Subaru Ascent’s 3rd row like? 

This three-row Subaru Ascent is able to seat up to eight passengers. Thanks to its 113.8-inch wheelbase, it can fit a third row which provides enough room for both kids and adults! 
The Ascent comes in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring. The only trims that don’t come in an eight-seater option are the Onyx Edition and Touring since their second row features a pair of captain’s chairs. 

Space and comfort

Third-row seats are ideal for families of more than five, but are they comfortable? You wouldn’t want any of your passengers to feel cheated of comfort in the third row!
Thankfully, the legroom, headroom, and passenger volume dimensions can give us an idea about comfort levels in the Ascent. Here’s how much space you’ll have in all three rows:
  • Third row: 31.7 inches of legroom, 36.3 inches of headroom
  • Second row: 38.6 inches of legroom, 40 inches of headroom 
  • First row: 42.2 inches of legroom, 41.3 inches of headroom 
  • Total passenger volume: 141.3 cubic feet
The third row may not be abundant in space like the first row, but Subaru has done its best to make it as spacious as the second row with 31.7 inches of legroom. This is plenty of room when you compare it to one of the most spacious three-row SUVs, the Volkswagen Atlas, which boasts 33.7 inches of legroom.
If you’re still looking for alternatives, Jerry has you covered. Below is a selection of three-row SUVs that may suit your family’s needs better.
Model
Starting price
Third row legroom
Third row headroom
Total passenger volume
$37,070
27.7 inches
36.1 inches
141.3 cubic feet
$35,530
33.7 inches
38.3 inches
154 cubic feet
$34,895
33.48 inches
38.21 inches
157.3 cubic feet
$43,895
33.5 inches
37.62 inches
157.3 cubic feet
$34,685
31.4 inches
38.1 inches
157.1 cubic feet
$35,240
32.2 inches
38.9 inches
152.7 cubic feet
$43,520
30.3 inches
37.3 inches
151.9 cubic feet
$38,590
33.5 inches
37.8 inches
141 cubic feet
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Is the Subaru Ascent good for big families and long trips?

Hop in because the Subaru Ascent is great for big families, whether you’ve got small children or grown-up teens. 
As for cargo space, 17.8 cubic feet isn’t much to boast about. However, if you opt for the seven-seater Onyx Edition or Touring, the captain’s chairs can fold flat into the floor and give you plenty of storage space. While bigger cargo space would be preferred, the Ascent makes up for it with these features:
  • Plenty of safety features: With a whole family to drive, the Ascent’s slew of safety features like High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Rear-Vision Camera leaves you to do just the driving—don’t sweat the small stuff, your Ascent will do it for you!
  • Budget-friendly luxury: Starting at $41,270, the Ascent has a greater value than most midsize SUVs. Plus, you’re buying into luxury with features like heated seats for everyone! 
  • Hefty towing capacity: At a maximum towing capacity of 5000 lbs, you can make the ultimate trip and bring along your ATVs and snowmobiles. 
Is your family sold on the Ascent yet? Depending on your family’s needs and size, the Subaru Ascent’s third row may be the best decision you make yet!

How to find affordable car insurance for your Subaru

The Subaru Ascent’s third row is as spacious as a whole ‘nother room on board. So roomy, in fact, that you can make space for cushiony car insurance!
Jerry
, the super app and car insurance shopper, is here to bring you protection and savings. 
How? Download the app from the App Store (you can’t miss it—it’s the #1-rated insurance app!), sign up, and in less than a minute, you’ll get to choose the most affordable quotes from over 55 insurers. Pick your favorite policy and Jerry will switch you over without the need to fill out long forms! 
Then kick back and relax in the third row as you save an average of over $800 on car insurance like millions of other Jerry users!
Jerry
was fast and easy to use. Their customer service was so helpful in helping me navigate the situation my state is dealing with. Now I’m saving an extra $100 every 6 months!” —Tony C.
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