Will the 2019 Subaru Ascent Be a Proof of Concept?
CARS.COM — Subaru first introduced its Ascent concept at the 2017 New York International Auto Show, and what we saw was a nearly production-ready car.
Related: More L.A. Auto Show Coverage
The Ascent is another attempt by Subaru to enter the three-row SUV competition; the automaker’s first attempt, the Tribeca (née B9 Tribeca) was never a hot seller.
What we know about the production version is that it appears to have horizontal taillights, shown in one official image Subaru has released. Those look a little less sculpted than the taillights on the concept. An additional teaser image reveals a seven-passenger seating arrangement with a leather interior and body lines that closely resemble the concept.
How will the rest of the car stack up? Well, as you can see from the video above, the exterior was mostly production-ready. Some details are likely to be toned down a bit for the production version but, on the whole, what we’ve seen is very close to what we’ll get.
Inside is likely where we’ll see the greatest departure. Capacitive touch controls on door sills to control locks and windows are likely to make way for traditional button controls. The center console did feature traditional knobs and dials, but the full-length screen is probably a goner. Expect a unit more in the vein of Subaru’s current lineup, perhaps with a slightly more upscale finish. And the multicolored leather interior with metal accents? Don’t bet on it.
Will the 2019 Ascent have enough to climb to the top of a crowded and competitive segment? Stay tuned for that and for more coverage of next week’s 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
