2021 Subaru Ascent — Full Specifications
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The 2021 Subaru Ascent is an SUV powered by a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo regular gasoline engine. It returns around 28 mpg (UK) / 23 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Subaru Ascent workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2020 Subaru Ascent: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 28 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 28 combined / 25 urban / 32 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 23 combined / 21 city / 27 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 240 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,900 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2021 Subaru Ascent, all with the 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (21/27) | 240 | $2,900 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2021 Subaru Ascent
Running Costs: 2021 Subaru Ascent
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2021 Subaru Ascent at 28 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,299 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,900 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2021 Subaru Ascent Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 Subaru Ascent (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Equipment (1), Electrical system (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Equipment — campaign 26V436000, reported 7 July 2026. Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Electrical system — campaign 22V907000, reported 8 December 2022. Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Ascent. The most-reported areas are Power train (19), Electrical system (18), Unspecified (16). Complaints include 3 reported crashes, 1 reported fire, 3 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 52 complaints across the 8 Subaru Ascent model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2021 Subaru Ascent
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (1 recall campaign · 18 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (19 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Subaru Ascent compare to similar SUVs? SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 1 mpg. Its 240 g/km CO₂ figure is 13 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Subaru models in our database average about 33 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2021 Subaru Ascent's 28 mpg is 5 mpg below that make average. Its 240 g/km CO₂ figure is 34 g/km higher than the 206 g/km Subaru average.
Of the 8 Subaru Ascent model years we cover, the 2021 is the most economical on its best configuration (28 mpg UK combined). See every Subaru Ascent year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2021 Subaru Ascent
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have?
It's fitted with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (av-s8) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
The most efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, or 23 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2021 Subaru Ascent cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,900 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2021 Subaru Ascent have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 Subaru Ascent (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Equipment (1), Electrical system (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Subaru Ascent?
Among the 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (19 complaints), Electrical system (18 complaints), Unspecified (16 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Subaru Ascent's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.