Subaru Debuts Refreshed 2023 Ascent 3-Row SUV
Subaru Debuts Refreshed 2023 Ascent 3-Row SUV
Posted on December 5, 2023
Subaru Debuts Refreshed 2023 Ascent 3-Row SUV
- Ascent receives a bolder look with redesigned front and rear elements
- Latest version of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with Wide-Angle Mono Camera
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard
- New Surround View Camera featuring a 360-degree overhead view is available
- Standard 11.6-inch Infotainment Display
- New Cabin Connect enhances communication capability to the third-row occupants
Subaru has announced the 2023 Ascent 3-row family SUV with updated styling as well as new safety and in-vehicle technologies. The 2023 Ascent is available in Convenience, Touring, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Premier trim levels arriving in Subaru retailers this fall.
For the 2023 model year, Ascent receives a bolder look thanks to a new front fascia incorporating a more prominent grille, redesigned LED headlights, and a more aggressive front bumper cover. The new front bumper cover features new lower-edge air ducts to improve aerodynamic flow under the vehicle. At the back of the vehicle, updated Konoji (C-shaped) taillights further exemplify the SUV’s fresh new look for 2023.
The 2023 Ascent comes standard with the latest version of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The enhanced system operates more smoothly and under a greater range of conditions. These improvements are thanks to a wider field of view, updated control software, and the addition of an electric brake booster. Also standard across the model line is a Wide-Angle Mono Camera that works together with the dual-camera EyeSight system. The additional camera further expands the field of view to recognize pedestrians and bicycles sooner when the vehicle enters an intersection at low speed. EyeSight gives an alert to the driver, and, when necessary, applies brakes to avoid collisions with crossing bicycles and pedestrians. EyeSight now includes Automatic Emergency Steering, a new feature that works in conjunction with the Pre-Collision Braking System to help steer the vehicle to avoid a collision when travelling at speeds less than 80 km/h.
New Cabin Connect improves communication from the driver or front passenger to the third-row occupants. When activated, the feature picks up the driver or front passenger’s voice by the overhead console microphone and then transmits it through the rear speakers. Cabin Connect is available on trim levels equipped with the Harman Kardon premium surround sound speaker system.
For better all-around situational awareness while parking, an available Surround View Monitor offers a 360-degree overhead view of the vehicle. The new system uses images from four vehicle cameras and combines them to create a single image that allows the area around the entire vehicle to be observed from a bird’s-eye view.
On all 2023 Ascent models, a newly standard tablet-style 11.6-inch Full HD infotainment display offers direct touch controls for multimedia, climate control, X-MODE, and vehicle configuration settings. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard. Every Ascent also features Steering Responsive LED headlights with High Beam Assist for improved nighttime visibility. Additionally, a Seat Belt Reminder for each seat helps ensure all passengers are buckled up.
Smart and Strong Foundation
Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Ascent delivers an unparalleled driving experience with a spacious interior offering comfortable and flexible seating options. The U.S.-built Ascent is the most versatile Subaru ever with 8-person seating or available captain’s chairs in the second row for 7-person seating. Two rows of 60/40 split flat-folding seats offer up to 2,140 litres of cargo space when folded.
All Ascent trim levels come standard with Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-MODE with Hill Descent Control for exceptional all-weather and trail-driving capability. Active Torque Vectoring is also standard on all trim levels. The 3-row SUV’s 220 millimetres of ground clearance, which is greater than many SUVs, delivers capability while maintaining a comfortably low step-in height for passenger entry.
Enhancing all-weather and trail capability, the 2023 Ascent Onyx Edition, Limited and Premier gain standard dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control. X-MODE functions include SNOW/DIRT and DEEP SNOW/MUD settings to optimize all-wheel-drive performance for difficult weather or road conditions.
Powered by a 260 horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine, the Ascent comes standard with Subaru’s high-torque Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) featuring an 8-speed manual mode function and steering wheel paddle shifters to give the driver added control. This powertrain allows up to 2,270 kg towing capacity with standard Trailer Stability Assist.
Multiple Trim Levels for Every Family
The 2023 Ascent provides an extensive roster of standard amenities including an 8-way power driver seat, tri-zone front and rear automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, automatic power door locks, power windows and side mirrors, multi-function display, security system with engine immobilizer, rear vision camera, USB-A and USB-C input/charge ports in the front and rear sections of the center console, raised roof rails, and 19 cupholders. New for this year, the standard rear vision camera includes a washer to ensure a clear view while backing up.
The Touring trim adds LED fog lights, rear window privacy glass, panoramic power moonroof, full circle heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-wrapped shift lever handle, second-row independent automatic climate control, body-colour side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a wiper de-icer.
The Touring trim’s in-vehicle technology features SUBARU STARLINK Connected Services (3-year free trial), keyless access with push-button start, power rear gate, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection (SRVD) including Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. The Touring trim offers a choice between second-row bench seating or captain’s chairs.
The Onyx Edition builds upon the 7-seat Touring trim and is equipped with exclusive black-finish exterior elements, badging, and 20-inch black-finish aluminum-alloy wheels. The seats are wrapped in all-weather soft-touch material with new contrasting green stitching.
The well-equipped Limited includes all Touring features and adds DriverFocus and Harman Kardon premium audio with Cabin Connect. The 11.6-inch infotainment display also gains integrated navigation.
The Limited interior features leather-trimmed upholstery, a 12-way power driver seat with lumbar support and seat bottom cushion extension, a 4-way power front passenger seat, and second-row retractable sunshades. A new USB-A charge port has been added to the third row. Limited models also include heated second-row seating. Like Touring, customers have the choice between second-row bench seating or captain’s chairs.
The exterior of the Limited is distinguished by lower door cladding with chrome accents, and new 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels in dark gray with a machine finish.
The top-of-the-line Ascent Premier is equipped with all the features of the Limited and adds an exclusive high gloss black grille, chrome door handles, and satin chrome power-folding exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals. The unique interior includes woodgrain-pattern matte finish accent trim and either Black or Brown perforated leather-trimmed upholstery. Seating surfaces are Nappa leather, and a three-mode ventilated driver and front passenger seat are also standard on Premier.
The Premier comes standard with Surround View Monitor System, Smart Rear-View Mirror, and 180-degree front-view camera greatly enhances all-around visibility.
SUBARU IN-VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
The 2023 Ascent comes standard with the latest version of the 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. The system features a high-resolution touchscreen with combination meter integration and improved on-screen controls for audio, climate control, X-MODE, and vehicle features. Additional standard features include Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity, AM/FM stereo, rear vision camera, SiriusXM All-Access Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link (3-month free subscriptions), HD Radio, and over-the-air updates.
The available 11.6-inch infotainment display with navigation includes integrated voice-activated navigation powered by the latest version of TomTom and SiriusXM Travel Link (3-month free subscription). New for 2023, the navigation system has integrated what3words (W3W), an innovative location technology that provides a simple way to communicate precise locations using just three simple words.
The Ascent is built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), a zero-landfill facility in Lafayette, Indiana, along with the Impreza, Legacy, and Outback.