2027 Subaru Ascent shoppers often cross-shop the Honda Pilot. That makes sense. Both vehicles sit in the same class and solve the same main job. The 2027 Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot are three-row midsize SUVs built for family miles. Both offer up to eight seats and a 5,000-pound tow ceiling on the right build. Subaru makes AWD standard. Honda answers with a V6 and a more flexible second-row idea.
2027 Subaru Ascent vs. 2026 Honda Pilot: AWD, Power, Towing, Seating, and Maine Winter Use
2027 Subaru Ascent key facts
The official 2027 Subaru Ascent trim specifications page backs the facts below. A trim can change a rating. So can wheels, drive type, load, and added gear. Check the label on the exact car.
Five facts that shape the vehicle
- Ascent power: The 2.4-liter turbo BOXER engine makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque.
- Standard AWD: Every Ascent uses Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.
- Tow rating: Properly equipped versions can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
- Clearance: The Ascent has 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
- Fuel estimate: Premium reaches an estimated 19 MPG city and 26 highway.
The Ascent lineup uses one engine and one AWD layout, so the trim choice is mostly about seats and cabin gear. Premium and Limited can seat seven or eight. Bronze, Touring, and Onyx Touring use captain's chairs for seven. Turbo torque arrives low, which helps on grades and with a full cabin. The tall glass area helps in crowded winter lots.
The standard AWD and tall view gives the Ascent a clear winter focus. Each fact must link to a real job. Power helps with a merge or load. MPG can cut fuel stops. Range can change a trip plan. More space can hold more gear. Tow and load ratings set firm limits. Read the facts as one whole set.
Subaru Ascent vs. Honda Pilot
The official Honda Pilot information gives the rival figures used here. A fair match keeps the body class, seat mission, and main use close. It also compares the same drive system when that choice changes fuel use or traction.
Honda lists 285 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6 and uses a 10-speed automatic. AWD is available or standard by trim. Properly equipped AWD models can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Some Pilot trims use a removable second-row middle seat, so the cabin can switch from an eight-seat bench to a pass-through layout. Honda has more peak power; Subaru makes AWD part of every price.
Where the same-class choice becomes clear
In Maine, tire choice matters as much as AWD. The Ascent offers a clear all-wheel-drive baseline and 8.7 inches of clearance. The Pilot offers a smooth V6 and a clever seat solution. Both can carry a family and tow a small camper. The better fit depends on whether standard winter hardware or cabin flexibility ranks first.
- Choose Ascent for standard AWD and one clear mechanical setup.
- Choose Pilot for V6 power and a flexible second-row center seat.
- Compare seven-seat and eight-seat layouts before choosing a trim.
- Use the exact payload and tow labels for camper planning.
What the comparison means near Auburn, Lewiston, and central Maine
Evergreen Subaru currently lists both 2027 and 2026 Ascent inventory. Model-year and trim counts can change as new units arrive. See the current Evergreen Subaru inventory for local availability. A live page proves the model is part of the dealer's range, but a listed unit can sell before this article is read.
Make the last check simple. Write down your top three jobs. Count each seat you use. Measure the bags that ride with you. Add the miles in a normal week. Note each hill, dirt road, or snow day. Then look at both models again. One may fit the list with far less fuss.
MPG can save cash each week. More space may keep gear off the roof. More ground room can help on snow or rocks. A high tow rate only helps if the load is a safe match. The same rule holds for speed. More power is fun, but it must serve a real need.
Next, compare like with like. Match AWD to AWD. Match the same seat count. Use a close trim price. Check tire size and key gear. Look at fuel, charge, and tire cost for a full year. A cheap trim may cost more to run. A high trim may add gear that you do not need.
Think of each road you use. Cold can cut EV range and tire grip. Heat adds air use. Hills show weak pull. Short trips make doors and clear views more key. Long trips make seats, range, and quick charge stops more key. One car can fit one week well and the next week less well.
For a Maine family, seat access and tire choice often matters more than ten or twenty horsepower. The best choice is the one that handles the most common work with the least cost and fuss. Use the numbers above to narrow the field, then check the exact trim, tire, seat layout, and equipment shown on the vehicle.
