2019 Subaru Ascent
 

Subaru Ascent

As some of you know from our many years here, I have been a fan of Subaru for quite some time. I was really surprised to learn earlier this year that Subaru was about to launch their full size SUV, the 2019 Subaru Ascent. Gone are the days of their first foray into the somewhat full sized SUV, the Tribeca, which was kind of ugly and offered minimal interior space compared to it's competitors at the time. However, this new SUV by Subaru is quite a step in the right direction. The exterior looks good, and the interior looks a step above anything they have done previously IMO. There is ample interior room and boasts 3 rows of seating (seems to be the norm these days) with 2nd row captains chairs as an option, which I love. The motor is a new model, 2.4L turbo H4 with direct injection, pumping out 260hp and 277/ft. lbs. of torque. I believe it also an F series motor, but I don't recall it's designation at the moment. For those that saw the Forester eliminating the XT model from the 2019 lineup, I am hoping this motor makes it's way back in to future MYs.

Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing this in the showrooms in August, to actually sit in it and maybe take if for a test drive. I think they may have a winner here, and the model will continue to be in the lineup going forward.

It's a 2.4L, the new motor. It should also land in the top spec Outback when the new one debuts. It's also expected to go into the next gen STi.

Ah, that's right. Post edited. Too many years of typing 2.5..... :LOL:

I think Subaru is going to sell a crap ton of these. Looks to hit a sweet spot in the market and is definitely a step-up vehicle for current Subaru owners. I read in a recent car mag it does 0-60 in 7.3 seconds which isn't bad at all for a $30-40k SUV. They did say passing power wasn't quite as good as they wanted, but then again, what do you expect from car magazine guys who are used to driving 400+hp all the time..

19 cup holders too. Still haven't figured out where they fit that many in. They definitely have to use all 3 rows center console/arm rests and door pockets as well.

240+hp NA version of the 2.4 would be nice for BRZ...

The more upscale Subaru goes, the less I like their product. I don't feel they are as competitive as the Korean brands at that price point.

Went to NYC auto show and checked out one of these. I would say Subaru is going to sell a boat load of these...imo it is the best overall non-luxury brand 3 row CUV currently on sale or will be on sale. Followed by the Mazda CX-9.