2019 Subaru Ascent

"WRXasaurus" (wrxasaurus)
05/12/2018 at 09:10 • Filed to: Subaru, Subaru Ascent, Crossovers

Well the local Subaru dealer got a preproduction model of the 2019 Subaru Ascent yesterday. So I went to check it out. My wife really likes her Forester but we are running out of room with it now that we have 2 children and a dog that we take everywhere. This was in the Abyss Blue Pearl that we like and was the top of the line Touring model. Unfortunately a test drive was not possible so that was a let down. First impressions are that is not nearly as cool as the Viviz concept but it’s a decently porportioned crossover. The front row is spacious and the center console doesn’t impede in the footwell nearly as much as the Forester.The gauge cluster is nice but doesn’t have a digital screen.

The second row has plenty of space for rear facing carseats and passes the sit behind myself test. A medium size doggo should have plenty of space to lay down between the second row captains chairs.

The third row is tight for an adult. I hit my head against the roof and my knees against the second row seat backs. But it folds down flat for more storage. Storage is very limited with the seats up.

Overall it’s no replacement for a minivan but if that is not your style it should be a good family truckster. My wife loves it and we had pre-ordered one a few months back with all the options we wanted. The deposit is refundable thankfully so we will be checking out a Highlander, Pilot and Sienna. I still would prefer a Ford Flex but my wife hates them. What are your thoughts on Subaru’s latest moneymaker?

DISCUSSION (35)

Ash78, voting early and often > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 09:22

Is there a bench option for the middle? I strongly prefer those so all the kid stufd doesn’t automatically end up on the floor. That middle seat is a great place for a storage/activity bin and also a great place for a parent to sit if needed.

Sorry for the tangent...after having it both ways, the 3-piece bench is the best of everything.

arl > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 09:23

Can you get it with a stick? I kid, I kid.

Anyway, handsome looking vehicle from the pics. Doesn’t look overstyled.

I’d like to hear how it drives. Does it have the 2.5 four as the base engine? If so, that seems underpowered for such a large car/truck/suv/cuv thingy.

Wacko > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 09:33

When I wanted a Flex, the wife wanted nothing to do with it.

We have a pathfinder now...

BahamaTodd > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 09:36

Why wasn’t a test drive possible? Was it not for sale?

WRXasaurus > Ash78, voting early and often
05/12/2018 at 09:37

Yes this was the seven seat version. There is a 8 seat as well with two bench rows.

WRXasaurus > BahamaTodd
05/12/2018 at 09:38

Nope. It was a handmade preproduction model that was not for sale.. I did get to hear it run and it was quieter then the Forester.

WRXasaurus > Wacko
05/12/2018 at 09:39

Yeah. Ecoboost Flex is my dream daily

WRXasaurus > arl
05/12/2018 at 09:41

It has a 2.4 4 cylinder turbo with 260 hp. Brand new motor from Subaru.

Ash78, voting early and often > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 09:44

I felt the same way for a while, but once we started shopping I was a bit disappointed in the Flex Ecoboost. I just didn’t feel the advertised power.

My personal pick was Durango, which was surprisingly nice even with the V6 (which is still around 300hp).

We ended up with an Odyssey and both basically hate it. Not because it’s a minivan — just because it sucks in a lot of simple ways.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > arl
05/12/2018 at 09:45

It has a new 2.4L turbo with 260 hp. While that is a lot more than the NA 2.5 it is down on power vs. just about all of the other 3-row crossovers. It is also one of the lightest, though so it may be enough. Seems pretty typically Subaru - power is a low priority in everything except the WRX.

WRXasaurus > Ash78, voting early and often
05/12/2018 at 09:47

I think ttyymmnn also has had a bad experience with the Odyssey and I have heard it else where as well. So that is why it didn’t make my list. That’s too bad about the Flex. I have never driven one but I assumed it would really go well.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 09:59

Do my eyes deceive me or does the third row not fold flat?

I’d love to get one once they’re out, but I just fear that it’ll be too expensive and too blah. I used to love Subarus but they’re just so dull now. Would like to see that engine in the Outback (or even better, Crosstrek).

Ash78, voting early and often > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 10:05

Yeah, his Odyssey is two generations earlier and less “pretentious,” but also prone to tranny issues etc. I think Honda just got lazy in the segment after winning too much.

WRXasaurus > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
05/12/2018 at 10:10

Yeah. I’d really like to see them drop it into a Crosstrek. Or the 2.0 turbo WRX engine.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 10:17

The Flex is ancient. They only still sell them new because Californians love them so much and keep buying them. They first went into production 10 years ago with one exterior and minor interior refresh in 2012 for the 2013+MY. There aren’t many cars riding on that old a platform still being sold today...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 10:57

If you can do without the third row the Outback will do what you need and provide nearly 30 mpg with the 2.5.

WRXasaurus > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/12/2018 at 11:04

If I could get captains chairs on the Forester it would work. Just want some space for the doggo.

wafflesnfalafel > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 11:13

Kinda of an upsized modern 2.0, rather than a downsized 2.5, and tuned for torques. I’m curious what else they can do with that motor - hoping the STI version could push it well above 300 reliably. And if that is pre-production I’ll bet the dash gets the center digital insert when they actually arrive.

TorqueToYield > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 11:29

What’s the overall size like? I have an Outback now which I love but with 2nd kiddo on the way, doggo, and lots of roadtrips with gear (skiing, camping, etc...) space is quickly going to get tight. I like that the Outback is relatively small for how much room inside, great for city parking and driving. The Ascent is interesting but I don’t want something Explorer or Tahoe sized.

Also any first year model from Subaru, especially first year engine, scares me.

Wacko > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
05/12/2018 at 11:38

Except dodges, cause 10 year old platforms is when they add 2 scoops to the hoods and make them all new again.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 11:47

were they not allowing test drives because its pre-production?

Frenchlicker > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 11:49

Decent looking car if the price is right. I like Subaru’s.

WRXasaurus > TorqueToYield
05/12/2018 at 11:49

I don’t think it is overly large. It’s pretty much exactly the same size as a Highlander or Pathfinder.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Wacko
05/12/2018 at 12:18

Yeah, Chrysler is really bad. So very bad.

dogisbadob > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 12:22

How did a dealer get a pre-production car?

Captain of the Enterprise > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 12:34

I like the looks, it’s a very handsome vehicle.

WRXasaurus > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
05/12/2018 at 12:50

Yeah. Plus they wanted the most exposure possible. It was surrounded when I left.

WRXasaurus > dogisbadob
05/12/2018 at 12:51

Not sure. It’s making the rounds I think. It was in the twin cities this week. Probably going to Fargo on Monday

fintail > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 14:40

It’ll be interesting to see the mildly cloying emotional button-pushing commercials they use to market this.

HammerheadFistpunch > WRXasaurus
05/12/2018 at 15:19

Subaru customers - We love the outback, but do you have anything bigger?

Subaru dealer- no.

Subaru - Introducing the newest biggest Subaru yet!

Subaru Customer - Oh good, the bigger 3 row outback is here!

Subaru Dealer - More fish for the barrel.

arl > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
05/12/2018 at 20:47

But that’s almost 100hp more than the 4, right? My Mom has an Outback with the 170hp 4, and while I like the car in general, it’s awfully slow.

I miss the days of Legacy and Outback GT’s.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
05/12/2018 at 23:14

probably doesn’t have a VIN to register.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > arl
05/13/2018 at 10:36

Yeah it’s around 80 hp more. But the Ascent is pretty big - it weighs 700-800 pounds more than an Outback. The 2.5 wouldn’t be able to handle it. Even with this 2.4 turbo, it still won’t be that quick. The CX-9 has 250 hp, weighs 300 lbs less and gets to 60 in 7.2. Expect around 8 seconds for the Ascent. What the turbo should help with vs. the NA motors is mid-range torque is passing and hills won’t feel as stressed - those are my biggest issues with my 2.5L Outback. The trade off is that should get the best fuel economy of any 3-row with AWD and they didn’t skimp on the fuel tank size so highway range will be 500 miles or more. They’re really positioning this as a family road trip vehicle. My guess is that it’ll be slow but not quite as painfully slow as a Crosstrek. FWIW I’ve spent some time with a 2017 Outback with the 3.6L and it is sufficiently quick. It doesn’t have quite the same character as the old turbo GT’s and XT’s but it is smooth and sounds great. They seem to sell enough 6-cylinder Outbacks that I assume they’ll continue to offer something above the NA 2.5 - most likely this 2.4 turbo starting in a year or two.

09GT - now boosted > WRXasaurus
05/13/2018 at 12:02

We just got an 18 Flex (Ecoboost) and love it. Plenty of space, good materials and fit/finish, seating position more minivan/car than crossover. I could go on and on. In my instance, though, my wife lives the look.

09GT - now boosted > WRXasaurus
05/13/2018 at 12:08

I have an Ecoboost Flex (2018) - I would describe the power like they do for a Rolls Royce - “adequate”. There is plenty at all times, even when towing. It doesn’t FEEL fast but it IS fast. I had to floor it to get around a left lane hog who finally moved over and found myself at 100 mph before I knew it (started at 60) - I had no idea I was going that fast.