Subaru Plans a Revolution: Brand’s Only 8-Passenger Crossover Could Be Unrecognizable in New Render

At the moment, the sole three-row vehicle in Subaru’s lineup is the Subaru Ascent.

Designed mainly for the U.S. market (and sold in the Philippines and parts of South America as the Subaru Evoltis), the SUV debuted in production form in 2017 and went on sale as the successor to the Subaru Tribeca.

Offering seating for up to eight passengers across three rows, the Ascent hasn’t exactly been a runaway sales hit. Still, that didn’t stop Subaru from giving it a refresh last year. Even bigger changes, however, could arrive with the next-generation model, which is expected to debut within the next couple of years.

The publication Burlappcar recently imagined what a redesigned Ascent might look like. Its render shows a dramatically different exterior, closely resembling the all-electric Subaru Trailseeker.

In this speculative design, the next-gen Ascent borrows several cues from the battery-powered SUV, including slim headlights with an illuminated six-star Subaru emblem, distinctive lighting elements, and a closed-off grille panel.

The crossover in the render also features a unique front bumper with a wide lower air intake, flush door handles, redesigned taillights that extend into the rear fenders, and body-colored wheel-arch cladding.

Given the visual similarities between the rendered Ascent and the electric Trailseeker, it’s reasonable to wonder whether Subaru’s eight-passenger crossover could eventually adopt an all-electric powertrain. For now, however, there’s no official confirmation.

We should know for certain by the end of 2027, when Subaru is expected to officially unveil the next-generation Ascent.