Subaru Ascent

Subaru Ascent
Overview
Manufacturer Subaru
Production 2018–present
Model years 2019-present
Assembly United States: Lafayette, Indiana
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size crossover SUV[1]
Body style 5-door SUV
Layout Front-engine, all-wheel-drive
Platform Subaru global platform
Related Subaru Impreza
Powertrain
Engine 2.4 L H4-T (petrol)
Power output 194 kW (260 hp; 264 PS)
Transmission CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,890 mm (113.8 in)[2]
Length 4,999 mm (196.8 in)[2]
Width 1,930 mm (76.0 in)
Height 1,819 mm (71.6 in)[2]
Chronology
Predecessor Subaru Tribeca

The Subaru Ascent is a mid-size crossover SUV made by Subaru. It is the largest automobile Subaru manufactures.[3] The seven or eight-seat passenger SUV, with the design based on the VIZIV-7 concept, made its debut at the LA Auto Show on November 28, 2017. The Ascent became available in the third quarter of 2018.[4]

History

The Ascent was originally introduced as a concept car at the 2017 New York International Auto Show in April, where it was also announced that Subaru would be producing the vehicle at its Lafayette, Indiana Subaru of Indiana Assembly Plant.[5] Production is scheduled to begin in early 2018 alongside the current Subaru Impreza.[6] It will be the flagship Subaru vehicle in North America, and will replace the Subaru Tribeca (previously the B9 Tribeca), which was discontinued after the 2014 model year.

The first spy photographs of Subaru Ascent development mules surfaced in late summer 2016.[7] Although the Ascent was again spotted testing in 2017 with an expected mid-2017 on-market date,[8] the current expected on-sale date is early summer 2018.[9]

Stop-Sale Recall

In August 2018, Subaru recalled (at least) 293 vehicles that were determined to have faulty spot welds. Due to the complexity of fixing such a problem, the company said it would instead provide owners with new vehicles. Most were still in dealer inventory; only nine had been sold.[10]

Design

The production Ascent is a seven or eight-passenger, mid-size sport utility vehicle. Competing with other three-row, mid-size sport utility vehicles such as the Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas, the all-new Ascent is built on the new Subaru Global Architecture (SGA) Platform, which currently underpins the Subaru Impreza. Powering the all-new Ascent is Subaru's all-new 2.4L Turbocharged Subaru Boxer Flat Four-Cylinder (H4) gasoline engine, which produces 260 horsepower (190 kW) and 277 pound-feet (376 N⋅m) of torque. All Ascent models will feature All Wheel Drive with "X-Mode" as standard equipment, as well as Subaru EyeSight driver assistance technologies.[2] The starting base price is $31,995, ranging up to $44,695 for the Touring trim level.[2][11]

With both rows of rear seats folded down, the Ascent has a total cargo capacity of 72.6 cubic feet (2.06 m3),[9] and 153.5 cubic feet (4.35 m3) of total passenger volume. Ground clearance is 8.7 inches (220 mm). There are a total of nineteen cup holders in the vehicle.[2]

Models

Rear view

While Subaru has not yet released full specifications for the Ascent, it has provided a list of select standard equipment for each trim level:

The Ascent is the base trim level. Standard features include standard Subaru Symmetrical All Wheel Drive, standard Subaru EyeSight driver assistance technologies, eight-passenger seating, raised roof rails, cloth seating surfaces, Subaru STARLINK multimedia, three-zone climate control system, and a 260-horsepower (190 kW), 2.4L Turbocharged Subaru Boxer Flat Four-Cylinder (H4) gasoline engine.

The Ascent Premium is the mid-level trim of the Ascent. It adds a choice of either seven or eight-passenger seating by deleting the second-row bench seat in favor of individual captain's chairs,[9] a 5,000-pound (2,300 kg) maximum towing capacity, Subaru STARLINK safety and security features with mobile Wi-Fi capabilities, spill-resistant cloth seating surfaces, blind spot detection (BLIS) with rear cross-path detection, and the All-Weather Package with heated front seats.

The Ascent Limited is the "luxury" trim level of the Ascent. It adds leather-trimmed upholstery, 20-inch (51 cm) aluminum-alloy wheels, keyless access with push-button start, adaptive front headlamps, reverse automatic braking, and a power rear tailgate.

The Ascent Touring is the top-of-the-line Ascent trim level. It adds Java Brown leather-trimmed seating surfaces, second-row captain's chairs with seven-passenger seating, heated and ventilated front seats, rear sun shades, a panoramic power moonroof, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 14 speakers and 792 watts of total power.

Engine

The Ascent uses an all-new engine designated as FA24 by Subaru.[12] The turbocharged direct injection flat-four engine has a 94 mm × 86 mm (3.7 in × 3.4 in) bore × stroke for a total displacement of 2,387 cm3 (145.7 cu in) with a 10.6:1 compression ratio. The cylinder block and heads are made of aluminum alloy, and the heads each have twin overhead camshafts driven by a timing chain. Peak power is 260 hp (190 kW) at 5,600 rpm, and peak torque of 277 lb⋅ft (376 N⋅m) is achieved between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm.[13]

Features

The all-new Ascent also introduces new technologies that are not currently available in other Subaru models, such as optional mobile Wi-Fi capabilities, and standard Subaru EyeSight driver assistance technologies (the system is currently available as an option on other Subaru models).[2]

A suite of new Subaru STARLINK infotainment systems, first introduced on the all-new 2017 Subaru Impreza, will be available on the Ascent. The base system features a seven-inch color touch screen display, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Available features include integrated GPS navigation provided by TomTom, and an eight-inch color touch screen display.[2]

Reception

Regarding their experience performing preliminary testing of a development prototype, Motor Trend wrote that mid-range power seemed a bit limited when passing at cruising speed, likely because Subaru have aimed for best-in-class fuel economy for the upcoming Ascent. They also observed the ride was well-damped and the interior was quiet.[14]

The follow up Motor Trend article stated that the "2.4-liter turbocharged boxer-four proves surprisingly satisfying" and that "the Ascent provides enough motivation for merging onto the highway or passing other vehicles."[15]

Consumer Reports deemed it "the right vehicle for many suburban families".[16]

Preorders surpassed expectations. [17]

References

  1. http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/latest-reviews/first-drive-2019-subaru-ascent-review-article-1.3997685
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Presenting the 2019 Subaru Ascent". Subaru of America. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  3. https://www.businessinsider.com/say-hello-to-the-largest-subaru-ever-built-2017-11
  4. Subaru, Planet. "2019 Subaru Ascent starting at $31,995 | Boston Subaru Dealer | Planet Subaru, Hanover Massachusetts". www.planetsubaru.com. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  5. "Subaru Ascent SUV concept makes world debut at the 2017 New York International Auto Show" (Press release). Subaru of America. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  6. Fink, Greg (April 2017). "Subaru Ascent Concept: Previewing Subie's Three-Row SUV". Car and Driver. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  7. Fink, Greg (September 2016). "2018 Subaru Ascent Spied: Boxer Power with Three Rows". Car and Driver. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  8. Gall, Jared (March 2017). "2018 Subaru Ascent: Return of the Seven-Seat Subie". Car and Driver. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 Linkov, Jon (29 November 2017). "2019 Subaru Ascent Fills an SUV-Sized Hole". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  10. https://www.automobilemag.com/news/subaru-ascent-2019-recall-welds/ https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/subaru-ascent-recall-missing-welds/
  11. Korosec, Kirsten (16 February 2018). "Subaru's Giant New Ascent SUV Starts Under $33,000". Fortune. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  12. "Subaru debuts all-new Ascent 3-row SUV" (Press release). Subaru Global Media. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  13. Gilboy, James (16 February 2018). "Meet Subaru's new FA24 engine". The Drive. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  14. Priddle, Alisa (28 November 2017). "Exclusive 2019 Subaru Ascent prototype first drive: Biggest Subie ever". Motor Trend. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  15. Pleskot, Kelly (21 May 2018). "2019 Subaru Ascent First Drive". Motor Trend. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  16. Bartlett, Jeff (21 May 2018). "2019 Subaru Ascent Aims to Climb Atop the 3-Row Midsized-SUV Segment". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  17. Flierl, Denis (26 February 2018). "Subaru Ascent Orders Are Mind Blowin".
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