Subaru Ascent Explained

Subaru Ascent should not be confused with Isuzu Ascender.

Subaru Ascent
Manufacturer:Subaru
Aka:Subaru Evoltis[1]
Production:2018–present
Model Years:2019–present (North America)
Assembly:United States: Lafayette, Indiana (SIA)
Class:Mid-size crossover SUV[2]
Body Style:5-door SUV
Layout:Front-engine, all-wheel-drive
Platform:Subaru Global Platform
Related:Subaru Legacy (BW)
Subaru Outback (BT)
Engine:2.4 L FA24F turbo H4 (gasoline)
Powerout:2600NaN0
Transmission:TR690 Lineartronic CVT
Wheelbase:113.80NaN0[3]
Length:196.80NaN0
Width:760NaN0
Height:71.60NaN0
Weight:4430–
Predecessor:Subaru Tribeca
Model Code:WM

The Subaru Ascent is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by Subaru.[4] In some markets, it is sold as the Subaru Evoltis. It is the largest automobile Subaru manufactures.[5] 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 and became available in the third quarter of 2018.[6] It has an American-built predecessor, the Tribeca. The Ascent is not available in Japan.

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.[7] Production began in late 2017 alongside the current Subaru Impreza.[8] It was to be the flagship Subaru vehicle in North America, and replace the Subaru Tribeca (previously the B9 Tribeca), which was discontinued after the 2014 model year. Subaru Japan had their own three-row crossover called the Subaru Exiga that was available from 2008 until its discontinuation in 2018. In terms of exterior design, it was akin to a 3-row Outback as is the Ascent to the Forester.

The first spy photographs of Subaru Ascent development mules surfaced in late summer 2016.[9] Although the Ascent was spotted testing in 2017 with an expected mid-2017 on-market date,[10] the sale date was pushed back to early summer 2018.[11]

Subaru initially announced the Ascent would be sold in the Philippines as the Evoltis starting from 2020.[12] Its release was delayed numerous times owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually was introduced in the Philippines in May 2021.[13] Only the Touring model is available. The Evoltis name is also used in Israel and several South American markets.[14] [15] [16] Although some sources reported the Evoltis name would be used for the first battery electric vehicle sold by Subaru, that vehicle, which was co-developed with Toyota, was announced in September 2021 as the Subaru Solterra instead.[17]

Stop-sale recall

In August 2018, Subaru recalled (at least) 293 vehicles that were thought 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.[18] However, after physical inspection all 293 vehicles were correctly welded and cleared for service.[19]

Design

The Ascent is built on the Subaru Global Architecture (SGA) platform. The Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder (H4) gasoline engine, which produces 260hp and 277lbft of torque. All Ascent models feature all-wheel-drive as standard equipment.

With both rows of rear seats folded down, the Ascent has a total cargo capacity of 86.5cuft, and of total passenger volume. Ground clearance is .

Models

Base Model

The Ascent is the base trim level. Standard features include all-wheel drive, driver assistance technologies, eight-passenger seating, raised roof rails, cloth seats, and a three-zone climate control system.

Ascent Premium

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, a 5000lb maximum towing capacity, blind spot detection (BLIS) with rear cross-path detection, and the All-Weather Package with heated front seats.

Convenience Package

The Convenience Package includes a power rear lift gate, keyless access with push button start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, as well as reverse emergency braking.

Sport Package

The Sport Package adds 20-inch wheels, a panoramic moon roof, navigation, and a cargo area cover, can also be had on the Premium. Either package can be had with either seven or eight-passenger seating.[20]

Ascent Limited

The Ascent Limited is the "luxury" trim level of the Ascent. It adds leather-trimmed upholstery, 20inches aluminum-alloy wheels, keyless access with push-button start, adaptive front headlamps, reverse automatic braking, and a power rear tailgate.[20] Optional on the Ascent Limited is a “Technology Package” which adds a Harman Kardon premium audio system, panoramic moon roof, navigation, and a cargo area cover.

Ascent Touring

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 sunshades, a panoramic power moon roof, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 14 speakers and 792 watts of total power.

For the 2022 model year, the Ascent received a new "Onyx Edition" trim level with unique black wheels, badging, and exterior trim. The Onyx edition also received water-repellent seat material. The Onyx Edition slots between the Premium and Limited trim levels and receives more standard features over the Premium such as reverse automatic braking, a power rear tailgate, a heated steering wheel, and push button start. A single option package is available for the Onyx edition, which includes a panoramic moon roof, navigation, and a cargo cover.[21]

Model year changes (United States)

Engine and powertrain

The Ascent features a newly developed FA24 engine.[27] The turbocharged direct injection flat-four engine has a 94× bore × stroke for a total displacement of 2387cc 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 2600NaN0 at 5,600 rpm, and peak torque of 2770NaN0 is achieved between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm.[28] Regular unleaded (87 octane) gasoline is recommended.[29]

Power is sent from the engine to a CVT with eight simulated gears and then to a center differential. The center diff usually has a 60/40 front/rear torque split, but the ECU can vary the power distribution based on driving conditions.

Features

The Ascent introduced new technologies that were not currently available in other Subaru models, such as optional mobile Wi-Fi capabilities, and standard EyeSight driver assistance technologies (the system is currently available as an option on other Subaru models).

A suite of new Starlink infotainment systems, first introduced on the 2017 Subaru Impreza, is 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.

Reception

After performing preliminary testing on a development prototype, Motor Trend wrote that mid-range power seemed a bit limited when passing at cruising speed, likely because Subaru aimed for best-in-class fuel economy for the upcoming Ascent. They also observed the ride was well-damped and the interior was quiet.[30]

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.”[31]

Consumer Reports deemed it "the right vehicle for many suburban families”.[32]

Safety

The 2021 Ascent is currently holding the 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

Small overlap front (driver)
Good
Small overlap front (passenger)Good
Moderate overlap frontGood
Side impactGood
Roof strengthGood
Head restraints & seatsGood
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicleSuperior
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrianSuperior
HeadlightsGood (all trims)
Child seat anchors (latch) ease of useGood+ (extra LATCH positions)

Awards and recognition

Sales

! Calendar Year! U.S.[36] ! Canada[37]
201836,2112,093
201981,9584,139
202067,6233,028
202159,9803,359
202263,704
202360,543

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Here's a sneak peek of the 2021 Subaru Evoltis – Auto News. 2020-03-11. AutoIndustriya.com. en. 2020-05-26.
  2. Web site: Automotive – New York Daily News. nydailynews.com. 17 April 2024 .
  3. Web site: Presenting the 2019 Subaru Ascent . Subaru of America . 19 January 2018.
  4. Web site: Langness. Travis. October 16, 2020. Subaru Ascent Prices, Reviews, and Pictures Edmunds. Edmunds.com.
  5. Web site: Subaru just revealed its biggest SUV ever and it's loaded with impressive features. Motor. Authority. Business Insider.
  6. Web site: 2019 Subaru Ascent starting at $31,995 Boston Subaru Dealer Planet Subaru, Hanover Massachusetts. Subaru. Planet. www.planetsubaru.com. en-US. 2018-03-30.
  7. Subaru Ascent SUV concept makes world debut at the 2017 New York International Auto Show . 12 April 2017 . Subaru of America . 19 January 2018.
  8. Subaru Ascent Concept: Previewing Subie's Three-Row SUV . Fink, Greg . April 2017 . Car and Driver . 19 January 2018.
  9. 2018 Subaru Ascent Spied: Boxer Power with Three Rows . Fink, Greg . September 2016 . Car and Driver . 19 January 2018.
  10. 2018 Subaru Ascent: Return of the Seven-Seat Subie . Gall, Jared . March 2017 . Car and Driver . 19 January 2018.
  11. 2019 Subaru Ascent Fills an SUV-Sized Hole . Linkov, Jon . 29 November 2017 . Consumer Reports . 19 January 2018.
  12. Web site: Subaru PH intends to launch the Ascent later this year. Sarne. V. Vernon B.. visor.ph. en. 2020-05-26.
  13. Web site: After delay, all-new Subaru Evoltis reaches PH showrooms. ph.news.yahoo.com.
  14. Web site: 2020-09-23. Subaru Evoltis, debutó en Colombia este SUV familiar de 7 u 8 puestos. 2020-10-14. Autos Nuevos Colombia, Lanzamientos, Noticias de Carros – AUTOSDEPRIMERA.COM. es.
  15. Web site: Autocosmos. 2020-09-18. Lo que debes saber del Subaru Evoltis 2021. 2020-10-14. Autocosmos. es-PE.
  16. Web site: 2020-09-28. El Subaru Ascent llega a Latinoamérica como Evoltis. 2020-10-14. Deagencia. es.
  17. News: 2022 Subaru Solterra: EV's radical new interior previewed . Attwood, James . 29 September 2021 . AutoCar . 15 April 2022.
  18. Web site: Subaru recalls 293 Ascent SUVs for missing welds, will replace with new cars. Andrew. Krok. Roadshow.
  19. Web site: Subaru Ascent spot welding issue sparked rare recall. October 7, 2018. Autoweek.
  20. Web site: The 2021 Subaru Ascent.. 2021-05-11. Subaru of America, Inc.. en.
  21. Web site: Subaru U.S. Media Center – 2022 Subaru Ascent Press Kit:SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON 2022 ASCENT 3-ROW SUV INCLUDING NEW ONYX EDITION TRIM LEVEL. 2022-02-22. media.subaru.com.
  22. Web site: Stafford. Eric. 2019-07-09. 2020 Subaru Ascent Review, Pricing, and Specs. 2021-05-14. Car and Driver. en-US.
  23. Web site: 2021 Subaru Ascent Changes. 2021-05-14. Subaru Ascent Forum. 11 August 2020 . en-US.
  24. Web site: Subaru U.S. Media Center – SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON 2022 ASCENT 3-ROW SUV INCLUDING NEW ONYX EDITION TRIM LEVEL. 2021-11-21. media.subaru.com.
  25. News: Ulitskaya . Jane . 2022-06-14 . Freshened 2023 Subaru Ascent Packs Smarter Tech, Bigger Screen . cars.com.
  26. News: Gall . Jared . 2024-08-16 . 2025 Subaru Ascent Gains Standard Features and New Trims, Starts at $40,215 . cars.com.
  27. Subaru debuts all-new Ascent 3-row SUV . 29 November 2017 . Subaru Global Media . 27 February 2018.
  28. Web site: Meet Subaru's new FA24 engine . Gilboy, James . 16 February 2018 . The Drive . 27 February 2018.
  29. Web site: The 2024 Subaru Ascent .
  30. Exclusive 2019 Subaru Ascent prototype first drive: Biggest Subie ever . Priddle, Alisa . 28 November 2017 . Motor Trend . 19 January 2018.
  31. 2019 Subaru Ascent First Drive . Pleskot, Kelly . 21 May 2018 . Motor Trend . 23 May 2018.
  32. 2019 Subaru Ascent Aims to Climb Atop the 3-Row Midsized-SUV Segment . Bartlett, Jeff . 21 May 2018 . Consumer Reports . 23 May 2018.
  33. Web site: Subaru U.S. Media Center - 2019 SUBARU ASCENT NAMED TO AUTOTRADER BEST NEW CARS FOR 2019 . 2022-04-02 . media.subaru.com.
  34. Web site: Subaru U.S. Media Center - 2019 SUBARU ASCENT AND FORESTER NAMED TO PARENTS 10 BEST FAMILY CARS OF 2019 . 2022-04-02 . media.subaru.com.
  35. Web site: Subaru U.S. Media Center - SUBARU EARNS THREE AWARDS IN KELLEY BLUE BOOK 2021 5-YEAR COST TO OWN AWARDS . 2022-04-02 . media.subaru.com.
  36. Web site: Subaru U.S. Media Center. 2022-02-02. Subaru U.S. Media Center.
  37. Web site: Subaru Ascent Canada Sales Figures . 2024-04-19 . CarFigures . en.