How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2024 Subaru Ascent?
The verdict: The 2024 Subaru Ascent SUV seats seven with captain’s chairs or eight with a second-row bench; we tested a version with captain’s chairs and found its second row very accommodating for car seats. However, third-row legroom is tight, and buckle issues prevented it from earning straight A grades.
Does it fit three car seats? No; we tested a model with captain’s chairs.
Take a look at how the Latch system and each car seat scored below in our Car Seat Check of the 2024 Subaru Ascent.
Related: Search Car Seat Checks
Latch: Grade A
In the second row, the two sets of lower anchors are exposed once you peel back Velcro flaps in the upholstery. They’re easy to find and use, and the seats recline for even better access. Two top tether anchors sit midway down the seatback; they’re clearly marked for easy connection.
Infant Seat: Grade A
This seat went in easily and fit well. The 5-foot-6-inch-tall front passenger had plenty of legroom.
Rear-Facing Convertible: Grade A
As with the infant seat, the rear-facing convertible was easy to install and fit well.
Forward-Facing Convertible: Grade A
After removing the SUV’s head restraint, the forward-facing convertible fit well. We had no trouble connecting to the top tether anchor.
Booster Seat: Grade B
After raising the head restraint, the booster fit well in the flat seat. However, the seat belt buckle sits low in the seat and is on a floppy strap that could be difficult for kids to grasp and use independently.
Third-Row Latch: Grade A
The third row has one set of lower anchors behind the driver. They sit a little toward the middle seat and take up two places when in use. Three top tether anchors sit on the seatback. They’re clearly marked and easy to use.
Third-Row Entry: Grade A
The second-row seats slide forward with ease, and the resulting opening is large enough for adults.
Third-Row Forward-Facing Convertible: Grade B
We installed this seat using the lower Latch anchors, but you can also use the seat belt. After removing the head restraint, the seat fit well, but the awkward Latch position meant we had to push the adjacent buckles into the upholstery and install the convertible on top of the seatbelt’s buckles. The process was somewhat cumbersome and prevented the buckles from being used for the middle position. Also, third-row legroom is pretty limited.
Third-Row Booster Seat: Grade B
Again, we removed the Subaru’s head restraint to get a good fit. The third-row buckles are floppy, however, which could make them tough for kids to use independently.
About Cars.com’s Car Seat Checks
Editors Jennifer Geiger and Jennifer Newman are certified child safety seat installation technicians.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Chicco KeyFit 30 infant-safety seat, a Graco Contender 65 convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a shorter passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.
We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks.
Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.
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