ASCENT PERFECT FIT FOR GROWING FAMILIES
Subaru’s first three-row SUV will have hockey parents doing a happy dance
Across Northern Victoria County and Inverness County on Cape Breton Island lies a land of stunning Atlantic views, steep cliffs, and vast expanses of deciduous foliage flanking the 298-kilometre Cabot Trail.
No wonder Subaru chose this jewel in Canada’s crown to showcase its biggest vehicle, the 2019 Ascent. A three-row, eightpassenger SUV, the Ascent is Subaru’s answer to parents looking for an all-wheel-drive family hauler that is bigger than an Outback or Forester, yet still not a minivan. Now, instead of crossing the street to kick tires on a Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX-9, Kia Sorento, VW Atlas or Ford Explorer when families have outgrown their old and trusty wagons, they can stay within the Subaru corral.
As well they should. Starting at $35,995 for the entry level Convenience model, the Ascent gets a slew of coveted features on the base version that would usually cost extra: full-time AWD, Subaru’s Eyesight driver-assist system, a continuously variable automatic transmission with paddle shifters, 18-inch wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, a 6.5-inch infotainment system, heated front cloth seats, roof rack and more. All standard kit. The price, of course, rises with available content through the trim ladder up to $41,000 for the Touring, $46,500 for the Limited and $49,995 for the topline Premier model.
But instead of offering a bunch of engines and having to pay more for the turbo version, Subaru has put the same gasoline engine in all models: a new 2.4-litre, direct-injection turbo good for 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Those are numbers normally found in a V-6, so for a flat-four boxer engine, they’re impressive.
Out on the road, the engine pulls with decent power, up to the task of motivating this 2,081-kilogram SUV. It’s not going to outrun a BRZ, of course, but passing, cruising and takeoffs are surprisingly responsive. Zero to 98 km/ h registers at 7.4 seconds.
Thanks to the engine’s flatfour architecture, the 2.4 L is not some whiny wheezebox. It should return decent fuel economy, too. Subaru claims 8.9 L/100 km on highways and 11.5 in the city on regular unleaded. Our 12 and 13 average was no doubt the result of the speed at which we drove the Ascent across the twisty Cabot Trail.
Even here, on this spectacular road, the Ascent never got truly ruffled. When the 20-inch tires on our Limited model wailed at their limits as the radius of a bend sharpened at speed, the Ascent showed its double-wishbone rear suspension isn’t tuned just for the smoothest, most comfortable ride possible. No, it does not carry the handling genes of a WRX, but the same engineering fingerprints are detectable. The steering feels lighter than it needs to be, though, and it will react quickly to even the smallest inputs without the guide of ample feedback. After a while, the hyper-sensitive steering gets less noticeable, but it does take some time to get used to. Built in Indiana, the Ascent still looks like a Subaru, but nothing like the awkward Tribeca that once filled the company’s XL shoes. With the Tribeca, it seemed as if Subaru said, “Here, this is what you need.” With the Ascent, it seems Subaru asked customers what they really wanted, then built it to spec.
When it comes to off-road, the Ascent is no slacker and will hold its head high over rough terrain and deep snow. Subaru’s X-mode will control wheel slip through braking to give the wheel with the most traction the most power. And X-mode, which pairs with hill-descent control, is standard across the model line. The Ascent is rated to tow 5,000 lb. on Touring models — and raise that with a special oil cooler for the continuously variable automatic transmission. Convenience models are rated to tow 2,000 lb. A hitch receiver is a dealer-installed accessory, however. When not in use, the hitch can be hidden by a plastic cover on the bumper.
Parents of growing families will be the ones most interested in an Ascent, of course, especially with a cargo volume of 2,435 L with all seats down, 1,331 with the third row down and 498 behind the third row. Hockey parents, especially those of goalies, will do a happy dance. It’s just shy of being able to swallow whole sheets of plywood.
The power-adjustable front seat can be raised quite high, affording a generous view down the road from the already excellent visibility around the front A-pillars. On the Premier model, the front seats are cooled (a first for Subaru). Third-row seats are easy to access, with rear doors that open roughly 75 degrees. Middle-row seating is either a three-person bench (for seating up to eight) or optional $500 captain chairs (seven passenger) on Touring and Limited models. Captain chairs are standard on Premier models.
The Ascent has up to 19 cupholders, an eight-inch colour infotainment screen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nooks and cubbies and USB ports galore.
While the main instrument cluster is ho-hum, the rest is a pleasing array of buttons and knobs. There are some smart options here, too — third-row reading lamps, second-row sunshades, heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel and a front-view camera along with a rear-view mirror-camera that takes over when cargo blocks the view.
The Ascent will arrive in dealerships in mid-July.