2025 Acura ADX vs 2025 Subaru Ascent

$35,000 · Crossover

$39,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2025 Acura ADX and the 2025 Subaru Ascent often comes down to whether you prioritize upfront savings and fuel efficiency over outright power and size. The Acura ADX starts significantly lower at an MSRP of $35,000, making it easier on the budget right away. This efficiency theme continues with fuel economy, as the ADX achieves a combined 28 MPG compared to the Ascent’s 22 MPG, potentially saving hundreds annually at the pump. However, that $4,995 price difference buys you a substantial performance boost in the Ascent, which boasts 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque—a hefty 70 hp advantage over the ADX’s 190 hp. While the Ascent is longer at 196.8 inches and wider at 76.0 inches, offering more presence, the ADX is the clearly thriftier option for daily driving duties.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Acura ADX

The 2025 Acura ADX wins here due to its superior 28 MPG combined fuel economy and lower initial cost.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Ascent

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is likely better for growing families given its substantially larger physical dimensions (196.8 inches long vs. 185.8 inches).

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Ascent

With 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, the 2025 Subaru Ascent offers significantly more muscle than the ADX’s 190 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Acura ADX

The 2025 Acura ADX provides solid utility for $4,995 less, making it the better immediate value proposition.

Choose the Acura ADX if...

Your budget is firmly capped near the $35,000 mark.
You drive extensively in stop-and-go traffic and prioritize MPG (26 city MPG).
You are comfortable with FWD for most driving conditions.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

You need the security of standard All-Wheel Drive for adverse weather.
You require higher towing or passing power afforded by 260 hp.
You need the extra exterior size and width offered by the Ascent.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura ADX	Subaru Ascent
Length	185.8"	196.8"
Width	72.5"	76.0"
Height	63.8"	71.6"
Wheelbase	104.5"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	190 hp @ 6000 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/31 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/434.0 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Acura	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Front Head Room	38.4 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	57.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.7 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/55R H	245/60R
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Acura	Subaru
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Acura ADX and 2025 Subaru Ascent.

How does the fuel requirement difference affect ownership costs?

The 2025 Acura ADX recommends premium unleaded, which is generally more expensive per gallon than the regular unleaded needed by the 2025 Subaru Ascent. This could offset some of the ADX's 6 MPG advantage.

Is the cargo space significantly different between these two crossovers?

Yes, the 2025 Acura ADX offers 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which is considerably more than the 2025 Subaru Ascent’s 17.8 cubic feet when comparing the specified measurements.

Does the Subaru Ascent’s extra power make it a faster vehicle?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent possesses 70 more horsepower than the 2025 Acura ADX, strongly suggesting it will offer quicker acceleration, despite both using a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.

What is the impact of the length difference on parking?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is 11 inches longer than the 2025 Acura ADX (196.8 vs. 185.8 inches), meaning the slightly shorter ADX might be marginally easier to maneuver and fit into tight parking spaces.

Is the lower MSRP of the ADX before factoring in premium fuel worth the lower output?

The $4,995 price gap is substantial; buyers need to weigh the initial savings against the recurring cost of premium fuel and the 70 hp deficit when comparing the two models.