Refreshed 2025 Subaru Ascent Hybrid Three-Row CUV Gets Revealed Early, Only in CGI

Given that soccer mom and hockey dad minivans are decidedly out of fashion in the United States, customers with lots of kids, friends, or family can just shove all the things everyone wants to have with them in the car and worry not about big city agglomeration or muddy farm terrain. Yes, the most charming aspect of a three-row CUV is its practicality – it can get everyone in the family to the local mall but also back home on the range.

So, it's only logical that many automakers try to give sensible options to buyers. Obviously, the mid-size class usually strikes the right balance – it's not as cramped as a compact CUV and nowhere near as unwieldy as a full-size SUV. Interestingly, many people also choose models from the brands they trust, not just based on the individual model's performance.

And surely, Subaru gets lots of points in that department even though its $34,395 2024 Ascent may look a bit dated alongside newer or refreshed competitors like the Mazda CX-90, Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Palisade (or its Kia Telluride sibling), Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Kia Sorento, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, or Buick Enclave, just to name a few.

Obviously, to cope with the assault of all these rivals – especially with upcoming new competition (2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, for example), Subaru needs to start making plans for the flagship CUV that's been around in North America since the 2019 model year. Of course, the rumor mill is never too far from the action, and the whispers that Subaru may prepare something cool to sit alongside the all-new 2025 Forester have sparked the interest of the imaginative realm of digital car content creators.

For example, the good folks over at the Q Cars channel on YouTube aim to daze and amaze the audience with a potential styling of their vision for the next sustainable Subaru model. Actually, let's just use the plural because not long ago, their resident pixel master also imagined the 2025 Subaru Outback unofficially mixing a modern and sleek style with the efficiency of an electrified powertrain.

Now, the channel's virtual artist is back with a second proposal for a hybrid Subie – the refreshed 2025 Ascent Hybrid. If the Japanese automaker indeed comes out with a redesigned version for the 2025MY, they will present it sometime later this year. Mixing the facelift with new powertrain options would be a great asset against the competition – but don't hold your breath for that, given that the all-new Forester isn't electrified. So, please take all this with a healthy dose of salt.