Sport Durst Subaru of Jacksonville
Which Subaru Ascent Trims Have the Turbocharged Boxer Engine?
All of them. Every 2026 Subaru Ascent, from Premium to Onyx Edition Touring,runs the same 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder: 260 horsepower, 277 lb-ft, aLineartronic CVT and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard.
The short answer. There is no trim to hunt for and no engine upgrade to option.Subaru's 2026 Ascent trim chart lists the 2.4-liter DOHC turbocharged boxer as standard equipment onevery single build, including both the 7-passenger and 8-passenger versions of Premium and Limited.There is no naturally aspirated Ascent and no V6.
Trim by Trim
The Same Engine, Five Times Over
The only thing that moves down this table is the EPA highway figure, and thatis a weight and equipment effect rather than an engine one. Power and torque are identicalthroughout.
| Trim | Engine | Power | Torque | EPA city / hwy / comb | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER | 260 hp | 277 lb-ft | 19 / 26 / 22 | $40,795 |
| Limited | 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER | 260 hp | 277 lb-ft | 19 / 25 / 21 | $47,885 |
| Limited Bronze Edition | 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER | 260 hp | 277 lb-ft | 19 / 25 / 21 | $48,995 |
| Touring | 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER | 260 hp | 277 lb-ft | 19 / 25 / 21 | $51,165 |
| Onyx Edition Touring | 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER | 260 hp | 277 lb-ft | 19 / 25 / 21 | $51,995 |
Engine, power and torque from the Subaru 2026 Ascent specs and trim chart. EPAestimates from fueleconomy.gov. Both checked September 8, 2026. Starting MSRP excludes destinationand delivery, taxes, title and registration, and changes over time. Confirm current pricing with us.
What Boxer Means
Why Subaru Lays the Cylinders Down
In most four-cylinder engines the cylinders stand upright in a row. In a boxer they lie flat andface each other, two on each side of the crankshaft, and the pistons punch outward in oppositedirections like a pair of gloves. Subaru has built engines this way since 1966.
Two things follow from the layout. The engine sits lower in the car, which drops the center ofgravity and is part of why a three-row SUV this tall does not lean as much as its height suggests.And because the opposing pistons move against each other, a lot of their vibration cancels outbefore it reaches the chassis.
The layout also pairs neatly with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The engine sits in line with thetransmission and the driveshaft on the car's centerline, so the power path is close to symmetricalleft to right rather than routed around an offset engine.
What the Turbo Is Actually For
277 lb-ft from 2,000 rpm, and Why That Number Matters Here
Read the torque figure, not the horsepower figure. 277 lb-ft arriving at 2,000 rpm and holding to4,800 is the spec that describes how the car behaves in the driving you actually do.
Merging onto US-17 south of Jacksonville with the third row full is a low-rpm request. So ispulling a loaded trailer up out of a boat ramp, or getting back to speed after the light at NC-24 andWestern Boulevard. A turbocharged engine that makes its peak torque just above idle answers thosewithout downshifting and revving.
It also underwrites the tow rating. Subaru rates the Ascent at up to 5,000 pounds when properlyequipped, which is at the top of its class for a three-row crossover. Maximum towing capacity variesby trim and trailer brakes may be needed, so check the specific configuration with us.
The engine runs on regular unleaded. The turbo here is tuned for usable torque rather than headlineoutput, so there is no premium-fuel penalty attached to it.
Engine and towing figures verified againstSubaru's 2026 Ascent specs and trimsand EPA estimates atfueleconomy.gov,both on September 8, 2026. More detail in the Subaru Ascent towing guide and onour Ascent third row seating page. If you want the trim-by-trim seatingbreakdown, seewhich Ascent trims seat 7 vs 8 passengers.
What Does Change Between Trims
If Not the Engine, Then What?
Since the powertrain is settled, the trim decision comes down to seating,interior materials and screens. Here is the honest short version.
Premium
StarTex water-resistant upholstery, black exterior accents, the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system.No panoramic moonroof, which is why it keeps the largest cargo figures at 43.5 and 75.6 cubic feet.Available as a 7 or 8 passenger.
Limited and Limited Bronze Edition
Leather-trimmed seating, heated second-row outboard seats, panoramic moonroof and navigation on the11.6-inch screen. Limited is available as a 7 or 8 passenger. Bronze Edition adds bronze exterior andinterior accents and is 7-passenger only.
Touring and Onyx Edition Touring
Ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, a smart rearview mirror and DriverFocus. Onyx EditionTouring adds blacked-out exterior styling on top of the Touring equipment. Both are 7-passenger only.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Subaru Ascent trims have the turbocharged boxer engine?
All of them. Premium, Limited, Limited Bronze Edition, Touring and Onyx Edition Touring all use the same 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder. Subaru's own trim chart lists the 2.4-liter DOHC turbocharged engine as standard on every build of the Ascent.
Is there a non-turbo Subaru Ascent?
No. There is no naturally aspirated version and no V6. Subaru has built the Ascent as a turbocharged four-cylinder from the start, and for 2026 there is one engine across the whole lineup.
How much power does the Ascent make?
260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque, available from 2,000 rpm all the way to 4,800 rpm. That broad torque band is the part that matters in normal driving, because it means you are not waiting for revs to merge or pull a grade.
What does boxer mean, and does it change anything I would feel?
In a boxer engine the cylinders lie flat and opposed rather than standing upright in a V or a line. It sits lower in the chassis, which lowers the center of gravity, and its opposing pistons cancel much of their own vibration. What you feel is a car that stays flatter in a corner and idles smoother than the layout's size would suggest.
Does the Ascent need premium fuel?
No. The 2026 Ascent runs on regular unleaded gasoline according to its EPA listing at fueleconomy.gov. Turbocharging on this engine is tuned for torque rather than for peak output, so it does not require a premium grade.
How much can a Subaru Ascent tow?
Up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, per Subaru. Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level and trailer brakes may be needed, so confirm the rating for the exact vehicle and setup with us before you commit to a trailer.
What fuel economy does the turbo engine return?
EPA estimates are 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined on the base configuration, and 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined on Limited, Touring and Onyx Edition Touring. Those figures are published at fueleconomy.gov. Your mileage will vary with load, speed and how much of your week is stop-and-go.
Is all-wheel drive standard with this engine?
Yes. Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every Ascent trim, paired with a Lineartronic CVT and Active Torque Vectoring. There is no front-wheel-drive Ascent.
Drive the Turbo Boxer for Yourself
The torque curve is the kind of thing that reads flat on paper and obvious from the driver's seat. Come merge onto US-17 in one.
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Sport Durst Subaru of Jacksonville, 2400 N. Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546. Sales (910) 507-7316. Service (910) 427-5812.Hours and directions.
