Topic: Test Drive: 2019 Subaru Ascent Premier

[AutoTrader.ca]

Subaru’s latest is large and in charge.
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[dirtyjeffer]

this vehicle makes sense for Subaru...keep growing families in the Subaru brand (or, at least have the option to try and keep them) and at pricing from $36k to $50k, gives them plenty of choices for content (4 trim levels) and seating configurations (7 or ...some may bemoan the blown 4 engine choice, but assuming it performs comparable to the 2.0T in our Sorento, it's a well matched engine for regular driving that i'm sure most test drivers will be happy with...i would imagine this will sell well for them as it seems to really check a lot of the boxes many of these buyers are looking for.

[tortoise]

My only though with the Ascent is that I'd probably just buy a Highlander with a V6 and drive it until the wheels fall off.  The Ascent is no more interesting to drive and comes with Subaru's questionable reliability.

The CX-9 makes a good case for itself because it looks great and will be nicer to drive.

[johngenx]

Yeah, I get why Subaru went full-bland because that’s what sells in this segment, but thanks to the Toyota/Honda juggernaut of Highlander/Pilot it’s a hard segment to break into.

Makers that try “interesting” are relegated to low sales volumes.

Subaru has had more and more success with the more mainstream they’ve become, so it makes sense for the Ascent to be as mainstream as possible.

One difference is history. The Forester was one of the original CUVs and taking it more mainstream wasn’t as hard as a new car in a new-to-Subaru segment. They failed horribly with the Tribeca despite it being a pretty decent product.

I think the Ascent will sell enough for Subaru to keep it, but I’m. It sure if it will become a large volume player. Time will tell.

[OliverD]

Well, Subaru sells over 300k Foresters and Outbacks a year in the U.S. That's a big market of people who may be looking to move up to something bigger. They sold nearly 8k Ascents in December alone. I think it has the potential to sell near six figures.

[Wildsau]

My only though with the Ascent is that I'd probably just buy a Highlander with a V6 and drive it until the wheels fall off.  The Ascent is no more interesting to drive and comes with Subaru's questionable reliability.

The CX-9 makes a good case for itself because it looks great and will be nicer to drive.

Have you driven an Ascent or are you basing this on the review(s) you've read? I just reviewed one for a week and I would disagree strongly with your one statement that it is no more interesting to drive. I actually truly enjoyed driving it in the Edmonton winter, and while it's not sporty, it is absolutely more engaging than the Highlander in every way if that's something that matters to the buyer.

That said, I basically agree with everything else you said. Hard to predict its reliability, and hard to argue against the CX-9's looks (my favourite in the class) and driving characteristics.

[johngenx]

99.99% of buyers in the segment don’t care about engaging. It’s why the Highlander sells so well.

The Ascent might be a bit more fun/engaging/whatever, but it’s the styling, size and features that have taken it completely mainstream. Which is exactly what they needed to do. That’s why the Forester sells so well - they took it out of the quirky niche market.

[tortoise]

Admittedly my opinion was based on the review.

[dirtyjeffer]

99.99% of buyers in the segment don’t care about engaging. It’s why the Highlander sells so well.

The Ascent might be a bit more fun/engaging/whatever, but it’s the styling, size and features that have taken it completely mainstream. Which is exactly what they needed to do. That’s why the Forester sells so well - they took it out of the quirky niche market.

agreed...i didn't mean my previous comment to say i would buy one myself...it was more about that this vehicle was the right one to make for the class...it may help them retain customers in the brand and perhaps attract some that may otherwise have picked something else...the base Convenience trim at $36k is actually nicely equipped.

[Railton]

I noticed one of these on the road the other day - I was surprised how big it was (looked) - thought it was a Lincoln for a second from the rear.
Railton

[NormT]

My only though with the Ascent is that I'd probably just buy a Highlander with a V6 and drive it until the wheels fall off.  The Ascent is no more interesting to drive and comes with Subaru's questionable reliability.

The CX-9 makes a good case for itself because it looks great and will be nicer to drive.

Have you driven an Ascent or are you basing this on the review(s) you've read? I just reviewed one for a week and I would disagree strongly with your one statement that it is no more interesting to drive. I actually truly enjoyed driving it in the Edmonton winter, and while it's not sporty, it is absolutely more engaging than the Highlander in every way if that's something that matters to the buyer.

That said, I basically agree with everything else you said. Hard to predict its reliability, and hard to argue against the CX-9's looks (my favourite in the class) and driving characteristics.

There are allot of holes in that big block of cheese.

https://www.ascentforums.com/forums/subaru-ascent-complaints-issues-and-problems.137/

[NormT]

Interesting Motor Trend comparison test of Ascent and Telluride.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/telluride/2020/squares-square-off-2020-kia-telluride-vs-2019-subaru-ascent-back-2-back-test/

[Fobroader]

I have yet to see any of these....or maybe they are so bland that they have blended into the Pilander group.

[ltruong]

I have yet to see any of these....or maybe they are so bland that they have blended into the Pilander group.

I've seen couple.  They look pretty good

[johngenx]

They sure do blend in compared to other Subaru products, even the newest "mainstream" ones.

[OliverD]

I have yet to see any of these....or maybe they are so bland that they have blended into the Pilander group.

I've seen a few, they are super bland.