7-Seat Configuration
The time was definitely right for a larger Subaru . If there ’ s one double-edged sword in the Subaru fleet , it ’ s the fact that the current crop of vehicles lasts so very long . Picture this : A carmaker with close to 97 % of new vehicles registered over the past 10 years still on the road today . Seems ideal , no ? In almost all instances : yes . But in the case of a family that outgrows its five-passenger Crosstrek , Forester or Outback ? Well , it ’ s time for a change .
The beautiful part about the Ascent is that it ’ s a true Subaru — meaning , the engineering and the technology will be familiar to anyone who may be thinking of stepping up from another Subaru model . Also worth noting : This engineering and technology is class-leading across the board , so the Ascent will also resonate with prospective buyers who are new to the Subaru brand . Last but not least , the Ascent is an incredibly capable vehicle when it comes to keeping you and your six ( or seven ) co-drivers safe , regardless of the circumstances .
All the engineering work starts with the Subaru Global Platform ( SGP ), which is working its way across the entire line-up . First introduced on the 2017 Subaru Impreza , the design was targeted to first exceed and then stay current with global safety regulations all the way to the year 2025 . When the Impreza and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek ( also built on the SGP ) were first tested by the Japan New Car Assessment Program ( JNCAP ), the two vehicles established a record high score in the crash safety evaluation .
Subaru Corporation invested USD $ 1 billion in the development of this architecture with the goal to set a lofty new standard for all Subaru vehicles . For the Ascent , this standard was ensured : The Subaru of three-row SUVs achieved an IIHS Top Safety Pick + in its debut year , the highest rating available .
Of course , a super-strong vehicle architecture brings a
8-Seat Configuration
wealth of benefits , including increased safety in the event of an accident . In the case of the Ascent , another of those benefits is a level of handling precision and composure that is completely unexpected in a vehicle that can seat up to eight passengers .
The superior structural rigidity of the SGP was engineered to boost straight-line stability , increase ride comfort and quietness , and reduce noise and vibration . The design was also created to maximize the benefits of using an engine with an ultra-low centre of gravity , so it helps secure the crisp handling associated with all Subaru vehicles .
Finally , the strength of the platform gives the suspension engineers at Subaru the freedom to optimize the settings at the front and back . This process has resulted in the Ascent striking a remarkable balance among responsiveness , control and comfort , over even the roughest of roads . It ’ s incredible in this respect .
Another key characteristic of ( almost ) all modern Subaru vehicles — the Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time AWD system — represents another significant reason why the Ascent stands apart in a crowded field of midsize SUV entries . Like the SGP , this legendary AWD system serves multiple purposes , all of them ultimately linking to superior performance and / or safety . For the Ascent , the specific version of Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time AWD used is one that ’ s shared with all current Subaru vehicles equipped with the Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission ( CVT ), apart from the latest WRX .
This AWD system utilizes an active torque split ( ATS ) design that , under normal driving conditions , allocates 60 percent of engine torque to the front wheels and 40 percent to the back . Using a multi-plate transfer clutch and a network of advanced sensors , the system can divert more engine torque to the front or back , according to which wheels have the most traction available .
40 six star magazine