Currently reading: Subaru launches new Ascent large SUV for US market

The firm's largest SUV yet is built on a new platform offering enhanced safety, can seat up to nine and has 19 cup holders

Subaru has unveiled the new Ascent, a large SUV that can seat up to eight passengers, designed for the North American market, at the Los Angeles motor show.

The all-wheel drive machine is powered by a new 256bhp version of the Japanese firm’s 2.4-litre Boxer engine, and built on a new version of Subaru’s Global Platform that has been extended and strengthened. The Ascent was first shown at the New York motor show in January.

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That platform features a ring-shaped reinforced frame design, developed to increase crash protection. It also features stiffened joints between structures tin increase stability, which Subaru says has resulted in improved handling and comfort and reduced road noise.

Insight: New Subaru platform targets Europe with 'class-leading' safety tech

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The Ascent has been designed as a ‘family-focused’ SUV, with up to nine seating configurations, depending on seating choices for the second and third row of seats. It has a wheelbase of 2890mm and up to 2055 litres of luggage capacity.

Inside, the Ascent gets Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, with either a 6.5 or 8-inch touchscreen, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features in-car Wi-Fi, along with eight USB ports and 19 cup holders.

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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Spanner 1 December 2017

275not599

wrong on one major point. It is a drunk incompetent intern :)

275not599 29 November 2017

I think Subaru generally

I think Subaru generally leave the styling to an incompetent intern who always has particular trouble with the nose.  My Forester is about as good as it gets, but the nose is a mish mash.

ianp55 29 November 2017

Subaru Ascent

A replacement for the Tribeca? and it seats nine instead of seven,powered by a four cylinder engine instead of a six,makes perfect sense to me. What is impressive is how Subaru have been able to stretch it's Global Platform to fit the much bigger Ascent. Is the car to be built in the Lafayette, Indiana plant? the Tribeca was only ever built there and perhaps uniquely for a Subaru product never sold in Japan and was a victim of GM selling it's shares in Subaru and cancelling the Tribeca's sister model the Saab 9-6 having it's production cancelled. In some ways it's a pity that Subaru is retricting the availabity of the car to the US/Canada market as it certainly is an unusual design with some very interesting features.