2019 Subaru Ascent Mid-sized SUV - True 3-row vehicle

Yeah - I couldn't see under the manifold, short of climbing up on the fender and doing a head-first dive down into the compartment. The rep indicated that Subaru was aware of the valve carbon buildup issue and had developed a solution or possibly used the BRZ/FRS DIPI system.

 

The picture I saw was with the motor out on a crate. The biggest difference from FB20 is plastic valve covers and the manifold looks more like an STI one (smaller plenum and TB is angled up). Due to no TGV and what looks like no EGR, it's a lot cleaner looking from the side (less stuff to get in your way).

 

TGVs are, IIRC, designed to operate only during the first few minutes of startup to ensure that F/A is better mixed for leaner emissions on a cold engine.

 

That's pre-2007 TGV function, in 2007 they started running the TGV motors all the time under 3k rpm. 2007 guys can actually fine tune the operation windows nowdays.

The picture I saw

 

Soooo, can you post that picture?

 

 

The biggest difference from FB20 is plastic valve covers

 

Are you for reals? wow.

Soooo, can you post that picture?

 

Not for a while....

 

Are you for reals? wow.

 

They are black and plasticy looking. If we are lucky they are just painted black, but I highly doubt it

Not for a while....

 

You're not cool

Build your own Ascent:

https://www.subaru.com/build-your-own/2019/ASC.html

Trailer hitch setup (barf) - $500 for this ugliness:

 

 

$185 for 6 LED bulbs on the interior:

 

$970 for 2x 32GB ipads ($329 ea at Apple.com), plus 2 cheap wireless headphones, plus otterbox cases ($30 ea):

 

$411 for remote start which requires a separate fob:

 

$81 for wheel locks (wtf is going on, I just ordered them from Toyota for $36):

Edited May 4, 2018 by Adoniram

I like how 20/26mpg is optional on Premium (otherwise it's 21/27mpg), I guess it's based on tire size? That's the only real difference between base/premium and Limited/Touring.

Just did a 'build'. Around 44K without tax and destination fee bla bla. Man. Not cheap but I still want one...

 

$81 for wheel locks (wtf is going on, I just ordered them from Toyota for $36):

 

$81 is like MSRP. I think I got mine for around $52.

I guess you pay for labor too?

 

$411 for remote start which requires a separate fob:

 

 

 

Nope. can do it through the phone like on the new Forester

 

 

 

 

https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/ascent/features.html/safe-and-connected

All-new Remote Engine Start with Climate Control, accessible via your smartphone, ensures your Ascent is ready and comfortable. There's also the new STARLINK Concierge service for personal assistance with tasks like navigation, restaurant reservations, and scheduling service appointments.

$970 for 2x 32GB ipads ($329 ea at Apple.com), plus 2 cheap wireless headphones, plus otterbox cases ($30 ea):

 

Maths...

 

MSRP

$179.90 = 2x $89.95 Otterbox Defender

$658.00 = 2x $329 iPad

$199.90 = 2x $99.95 Harman AKG Y40 (I best match)

________________________

$1037.80

 

 

 

Deals?

$117.98 = 2x $58.99 Otterbox Defender (Amazon)

$658.00 = 2x $329 iPad

$99.90 = 2x $49.95 Harman AKG Y40

_____________

$875.88

 

Slightly less than MSRP, Slightly more than hunting for a deal. And who knows if there's something built into the car that does anything special with syncing the iPads or something. Definitely not hateful pricing for something that's not proprietary and would be turn key for someone just wanting to get something that works.

Trailer hitch setup (barf) - $500 for this ugliness:

 

Subaru engineers a trailer hitch that is integrated into the bumper that can be 100% hidden when the bar is not attached, and you are crying about aesthetics? Who is going to see that with a trailer attached? And when there isn't a trailer, remove the pin and pop the cover back over it.

$81 for wheel locks (wtf is going on, I just ordered them from Toyota for $36):

 

$39.99 from Subaru. The build your own price is high because they are installed after the car is built.

 

https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_2016_/Wheel-Lock-Kit--Alloy-Wheels-/49924570/B321SFG000.html

I'll give you the LEDs. Those should just come standard on higher trims and not for that additional cost. I'm assuming those have to be installed after the vehicle is built as well, which is why the cost is so high.

Thanks B4, good info on all points. The trailer hitch though... most people are going to want to leave the hitch in place. Otherwise it’s jusg another thing you have to do to get the vehicle ready. I guess if you only tow something once a year it’s ok but a lot of people pull toys or have bike racks they use frequently. Plus if you’re towing something like a camper and leave it at the camp site, your trailer hitch is still attached and looks weird. In my opinion. I just think it looks like an obvious afterthought.

It's not pretty when exposed, but I don't think it was an afterthought. I don't see very many vehicles in the segment that have an integrated hitch in the bumper that can be hidden. Subaru probably could have done a better job cleaning it up when exposed though.

Subaru engineers a trailer hitch that is integrated into the bumper that can be 100% hidden when the bar is not attached, and you are crying about aesthetics? Who is going to see that with a trailer attached? And when there isn't a trailer, remove the pin and pop the cover back over it.

 

It's not the most handsome setup, but in typical Subaru fashion, it has everything I want and nothing I don't. Really like that I have both 4-pin and 7-pin connectors readily available, and no need for adapters.

How dare you guys bring logical thinking to this thread...

 

I don't see much to really complain about with the Ascent even price is right in line with other 3 rows. I can't wait to try one out, but I don't think we will be picking one up unless the wife suddenly starts hating her odyssey, possible but not likely.

 

On a side note we removed the middle seat from the second row to see how we liked that, and it has been over a month and the wife doesn't want it back in...so really for us 6 passengers with room to spare is really where we are comfortable.

really can't beat a minivan for people hauling unless you need good awd and some ground clearance.

I don't see much to really complain about with the Ascent even price is right in line with other 3 rows. I can't wait to try one out, but I don't think we will be picking one up unless the wife suddenly starts hating her odyssey, possible but not likely.

 

Tell her you guys need to go on a trip and you take the van on a somewhat offroad trail to do some primitive camping. Do that right after you have test driven the Ascent .

there is the redesigned 2019 Forester as well. The Ascent should come to dealership for test drive within the week of Memorial Day. Going to test drive this SUV and may be replace the Odyssey

Tell her you guys need to go on a trip and you take the van on a somewhat offroad trail to do some primitive camping. Do that right after you have test driven the Ascent .

 

She wouldn't even take her Tribeca offroad, lol. The beach is about as offroad as she will go. She doesn't love the van, its just a whole lot cheaper since we already have it. Maybe in a few years when there are some lease returns on the Ascent.

First production vehicles arriving at Long Island dealerships, out in the wild on Mother's Day.

 

Good ol' TR690 from Legacy DIT, FXT, WRX, WRX S4/Levorg GTS, JDM CVT cooler, S207 engine oil cooler.

 

Test drove this Limited and I am not impressed. Then again I'm nowhere near target demographic for this or any 'modern' Subaru (particularly in USDM flavor).

 

It's quiet enough but disengaging, feels weaker than a stock FXT or WRX CVT (figures given the power-to-weight and assumed throttle related mappings)... certainly on take off, even if you roll into it and when toying with throttle at steady state cruise. DBW and Requested/Calculated torque tables will need a lot of work as usual, even in stock form (as most of these will live out their lives).

 

Interior materials are a mix of good, ok to meh.

 

Too many mixed finishes/textures/colors. 3rd row feels forced and not very practical.

 

Great hydraulic lifters holding up the rear hatch, and a complete letdown up front with the relatively heavy hood with integrated under-scoop.

 

I think this will still sell like hot cakes.

 

It's a great soccer/la crosse mobile, grocery getter and 2nd or 3rd car for suburbia across America.

 

But at this price point, the competition has never looked better.

 

http://www.atra.com/Webinars/Import/Subaru_Lineartronic_CVT_Introduction.pdf

Edited May 14, 2018 by Perscitus

A few more... rear auto-lift gate lifters, etc.