Used 2021 Subaru Ascent for Sale nearDayton, OH

How much does the 2021 Subaru Ascent cost?

Prices have softened 12.70% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,875 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru Ascent earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

It fits well if you want a three-row SUV with standard all-wheel drive, a spacious cabin, and a long list of standard features. The Ascent’s practical appeal is reinforced by its family-hauling focus and its usefulness in varied weather and road conditions.

The main trade-off is its uninspired styling, and the expert notes also point to a no-frills personality rather than visual flair. Even so, 38.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests you can shop with some leverage.

Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Ascent is described as safe, reliable, and built around Subaru’s familiar strengths, including standard all-wheel drive. Its turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder is presented as a capable everyday engine that gets the job done in most driving scenarios, while the ride is tuned for refined comfort rather than sporty behavior.

That combination points to a used SUV that should make sense for long-term ownership if you value practicality and predictable day-to-day use. For used buyers, the main risk is less about the concept and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by family-duty mileage.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Subaru Ascent?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the vehicle has seen heavy family use or winter driving. Focus on cabin wear, tire condition, brake feel, and evidence of regular maintenance so you can separate a clean example from one that has simply been driven hard.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Standard trim comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, four USB ports, remote keyless entry, and a solid set of driver-assistance features. Premium adds an 8-inch touchscreen, an eight-way power driver’s seat, stain-resistant upholstery, remote start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and second-row climate controls. Limited adds push-button start, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a four-way power front passenger seat, third-row USB ports, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Touring adds second-row captain's chairs, ventilated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo. The best-value trim is the Premium if you want the biggest step up in comfort and tech without jumping to the pricier upper trims.

• Powertrain: Every trim uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The engine is described as effective for around-town driving and capable enough for highway passing, with a comfort-first ride and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

• Safety package: EyeSight includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a feature that alerts you when traffic ahead starts moving again. For 2021, automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights are standard. Optional safety features include reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

• Infotainment: The Ascent offers either a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The system also includes hard buttons and dials, a home button, two front USB ports, two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo are available.

• Fuel efficiency: EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined for the Standard and Premium trims. Limited and Touring drop to 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Subaru Ascent trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Ascent is offered in 4 trim levels: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Standard: This is the entry point, but it still gives you standard all-wheel drive, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, four USB ports, remote keyless entry, and a strong set of driver-assistance features. Choose it if you want the lowest-cost way into the Ascent without giving up the core Subaru formula.

• Premium: This is the trim that most shoppers should start with because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, remote start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, stain-resistant upholstery, and second-row climate controls. It is the best-value trim if you want the most noticeable comfort and tech upgrades for the money.

• Limited: This trim adds push-button start, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a four-way power front passenger seat, third-row USB ports, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. It makes sense if you regularly carry passengers in all three rows and want more convenience features.

• Touring: This is the most upscale version, with second-row captain's chairs, ventilated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system. Pick it if you want the most comfort and amenities the Ascent offers.

The Ascent is also available with optional safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Subaru Ascent?

The market looks moderately favorable for selective buyers.

• Deal availability: 38.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,875 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.70% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,649, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru Ascent's resale value?

The current average of $21,649 sits slightly below last year's $24,799.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can help you buy more affordably now but may also limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you purchase at a strong price and keep the vehicle in clean condition, you can reduce the impact of that softer market.

The Ascent’s broad appeal as a practical three-row SUV should help it remain relevant with family buyers. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Subaru Ascent safe?

The 2021 Subaru Ascent is an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

EyeSight is the named driver-assistance suite, and it includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a traffic-movement alert when the vehicle ahead pulls away. For 2021, automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights are standard, which strengthens the safety story further.

A useful caveat is that some additional safety features remain optional, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. That means you should confirm the exact equipment on any used example before you buy.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Ascent or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 38.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.70% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds newly standard safety equipment while keeping the Ascent’s practical three-row formula.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $19,748, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,649 average.
• It emphasizes roomy, family-friendly practicality with standard all-wheel drive.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,212, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,649 average.
• It adds an Onyx Edition with blacked-out trim and water-resistant upholstery.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the best all-around pick if you want the strongest mix of value, safety, and standard equipment. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense if you want the newer trim content and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.