The 2026 Subaru Ascent gets 21 to 22 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Ascent at 22 mpg.
In the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the Ascent ranks 18th (tied with 5 others) of 58 for combined mileage (22 mpg), 9th (tied with 2 others) of 55 for yearly fuel cost ($2,850 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 21st (tied with 1 other) of 58 for tailpipe CO2 (405 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 21 mpg, costs $3,500 a year and puts out 426 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 148 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Ascent's best version, 18 other models get the same and 68 get less. The 2026 Ascent's cheapest version costs $2,850 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 104 cost less, 17 the same and 104 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe | 2026 Tahoe 4WD (Diesel, 6-cyl 3.0 L) | 22 | $3,650 | 460 |
| 18 | 2026 GMC Yukon | 2026 Yukon 4WD (Diesel, 6-cyl 3.0 L) | 22 | $3,650 | 460 |
| 18 | 2026 Land Rover Range Rover | 2026 Range Rover Sport P360 MHEV | 22 | $3,500 | 406 |
| 18 | 2026 Subaru AscentThis car | 2026 Ascent | 22 | $2,850 | 405 |
| 24 | 2026 Bentley Bentayga | 2026 Bentayga Hybrid | 21 | $4,850 | 206 |
| 24 | 2026 Buick Enclave | 2026 Enclave AWD | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| 24 | 2026 Chevrolet Traverse | 2026 Traverse AWD | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Ascent, 4-cyl 2.4 L: 19 mpg city, 26 highway, 22 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Ascent version is $2,850 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Ascent costs $689 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Ascent costs $3,445 less to fuel than the Q7 (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Ascent (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Ascent | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Audi Q7 | 2026 Q7 | 22 mpg | $3,500 | same figure | $650 more a year | - |
| 2026 Chevrolet Suburban | 2026 Suburban 4WD (Diesel, 6-cyl 3.0 L) | 22 mpg | $4,300 | same figure | $1,450 more a year | Compare |
| 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe | 2026 Tahoe 4WD (Diesel, 6-cyl 3.0 L) | 22 mpg | $4,300 | same figure | $1,450 more a year | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ascent | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-wheel | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 405 | cheapest |
| 2026 Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWD | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-wheel | 19 | 25 | 21 | $2,950 | 421 | +$100 |
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Ascent; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Ascent puts out 405 grams per mile; across the 2 tested versions the figure runs from 405 to 421.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Ascent: fuel economy score 4, greenhouse gas score 4.
Best combined figure of the Ascent gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 23 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2020 | 23 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2021 | 23 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2022 | 23 mpg | 2 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2023 | 22 mpg | 2 | same as 2026 | |
| 2024 | 22 mpg | 2 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 22 mpg | 2 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 22 mpg | 2 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 2 versions were tested then and 2 now; the best figure went from 22 to 22 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ascent, 4-cyl 2.4 L | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWD, 4-cyl 2.4 L | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | no change |
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 SUBARU ASCENT SUV N/A AWD | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 7 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations.
7 complaints for the 2026 Subaru Ascent are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
1 of the 7 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 0 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
1 recall is on file for the 2026 Subaru Ascent at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
Fix: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Ascent itself is at 22 mpg.
More Subaru models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Ascent with 22 mpg combined (19 city, 26 highway).
The 2026 Subaru Ascent costs between $2,850 and $2,950 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Ascent at $2,850; the dearest is the 2026 Ascent Limited/Touring/Onyx AWD at $2,950. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
The 2026 Subaru Ascent is 18th of 58 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Highlander at 35 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 21 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Land Rover Range Rover at 22 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Bentley Bentayga at 21 mpg.
The 2025 model had 2 tested versions and the 2026 model has 2. The best figure went from 22 to 22 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 SUBARU ASCENT SUV N/A AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 5, side 5, rollover 4.
7 complaints for the 2026 Subaru Ascent are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Vehicle Speed Control (3 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 1 recall for the 2026 Subaru Ascent (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Subaru Ascent: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Subaru Ascent: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Subaru Ascent: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Subaru Ascent: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Subaru Ascent: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.