[Trey T]

I went to the Houston Auto Show over the weekend to assess the Ascent and overall it was impressive. There are things I found out from the HQ reps and visual inspections that's not advertised yet.

1. May 1, 2018 is the dealer drop date to go on for sale. They've not been on schedule and I believe August 2018 is more realistic.
2. MPG and pricings will be public in one month. Again, that schedule can slip.
3. Spare tire is 6.5" wide and 29.7" tall (diameter). The normal tires are 9.6" wide and 29.6" tall. Will a full-size tire fit? It was difficult to inspect with bunch of ppl around the car but I believe so (see photos).
4. The tranny has a cooler to meet the 5000lbs towing but I'm not certain about the rear suspension though. I'm beginning to think the 5000lbs is a bloated value.
5. A/C uses the new refrigerant called R-1234yf w/ ND 12 oil.
6. Driver seat (Touring) has extendable thigh support (same as BMW).
7. Has a coolant temp guage (Forester do not have this).
8. Gas cover is not lockable (all current models are lockable). Molded plastic is used liberally.
9. Falsed key hole at steering column still exist.

 

[Trey T]

I drive a 4runner now and the Ascent is quite low, getting into the seat, and it's a good candidate for lifting 1-2".

 

[meyeracer06]

I went to the Houston Auto Show over the weekend to assess the Ascent and overall it was impressive. There are things I found out from the HQ reps and visual inspections that's not advertised yet.

1. May 1, 2018 is the dealer drop date to go on for sale. They've not been on schedule and I believe August 2018 is more realistic.
2. MPG and pricings will be public in one month. Again, that schedule can slip.
3. Spare tire is 6.5" wide and 29.7" tall (diameter). The normal tires are 9.6" wide and 29.6" tall. Will a full-size tire fit? It was difficult to inspect with bunch of ppl around the car but I believe so (see photos).
4. The tranny has a cooler to meet the 5000lbs towing but I'm not certain about the rear suspension though. I'm beginning to think the 5000lbs is a bloated value.
5. A/C uses the new refrigerant called R-1234yf w/ ND 12 oil.
6. Driver seat (Touring) has extendable thigh support (same as BMW).
7. Has a coolant temp guage (Forester do not have this).
8. Gas cover is not lockable (all current models are lockable). Molded plastic is used liberally.
9. Falsed key hole at steering column still exist.

Thanks for all of the good pictures and information.

Image 6462 shows that the payload capacity is only 1158 lbs as equipped. That is disappointingly low compared to competitors like the Pilot and Atlas...

 

[R P]

With everyone going to shows, I would sure like to know what the rim offset is for the Ascent. The new Crosstrek was 55mm (ET55), but most previous model Subaru's are 48mm. Also what is the bolt pattern, (guessing 5 X 114.3)?
I would like to fit a set of 17" rims with A/T tires (preferably BFG KO2), but need to know the stock offset before researching suitable aftermarket rims.
So, could someone please ask what is the offset? It is also stamped on the rims, but usually on the inside, so kind of hard to see (small mirror?). And the bolt pattern size?

 

[Jim_in_PA]

[*]Spare tire is 6.5" wide and 29.7" tall (diameter). The normal tires are 9.6" wide and 29.6" tall. Will a full-size tire fit?

The industry would consider that spare to be a "full sized" spare since it matches the diameter of the other four and likely has a similar load rating, although that may be in question given the three inch difference in width. Most times, the width adjustment is a little less and only so that the tire will fit in the space under the floor. My JGC is like that. It will be interesting to see what the actual load rating of that spare is since it's important for folks who tow. {edit} After examining your photos again and looking at the tire spec plate, that's not a regular "full size" spare for sure...that 60 PSI figure indicates it's a diameter matched "donut". Drat.

Thanks for the photos!

Image 6462 shows that the payload capacity is only 1158 lbs as equipped. That is disappointingly low compared to competitors like the Pilot and Atlas...

This is not atypical these days...payload capacities (which include tongue weight for towing, BTW) have tended lower in many vehicles. And yes, it can be frustrating.

 

[Trey T]

With the longitudinal engine and tranny orientation, it's a RWD setup or plaform that's similar to 4Runner or Grand Cherokee. Therefore, I completely dismiss the so-called competitor such as highlander, pilot, or explorer (formerly a body-on-frame, RWD, solid axles). Granted, most people only care about the interior and MPG when it comes 3-row SUVs, but Ascent is extremely unique in both non-luxury and luxury lines.

I believe the Ascent will be a very successful SUV with a hardcore fans following it.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I agree that Ascend will likely be a very successful vehicle...it's what a "big" Subaru should have always, been. While I don't believe it will be anywhere as capable as the JGC drive-train and off-road wise, the platform should perform very well in almost any situation that "normal people" will likely want or need to address.

 

[Trey T]

The SUV isn't as big as I thought the media specified to be. Prior to the car show, I thought it was about the same size as the Chevy Tahoe. Chevy Tahoe is significantly bigger and likely heavier with 4" wider track and 3" longer wheelbase dimensions.

Ascent footprint: Wheelbase 113.8"; track width 64.3"
Tahoe footprint: wheelbase 116"; track width 68"
4Runner footprint: wheelbase 109.8"; track width 63"

 

[Trey T]

Update to OP, #8 - The gas cap cover is lockable via door locks. This feature is standard on Porsche.

 

[lloyd123]

I went to the Houston Auto Show over the weekend to assess the Ascent and overall it was impressive. There are things I found out from the HQ reps and visual inspections that's not advertised yet.

1. MPG and pricings will be public in one month. Again, that schedule can slip.

1. 
   
   Looking at the online brochure on the Subaru site:
   
   https://www.subaru.com/guides/ascent/#p=22
   
   It says over 500 miles range highway. It also lists the gas tank as being 19.3 gallons so I would calculate the EPA highway mileage estimate to be at about 26 mpg.

 

[als]

I went to the Houston Auto Show over the weekend to assess the Ascent and overall it was impressive. There are things I found out from the HQ reps and visual inspections that's not advertised yet.

1. May 1, 2018 is the dealer drop date to go on for sale. They've not been on schedule and I believe August 2018 is more realistic.
2. MPG and pricings will be public in one month. Again, that schedule can slip.
3. Spare tire is 6.5" wide and 29.7" tall (diameter). The normal tires are 9.6" wide and 29.6" tall. Will a full-size tire fit? It was difficult to inspect with bunch of ppl around the car but I believe so (see photos).
4. The tranny has a cooler to meet the 5000lbs towing but I'm not certain about the rear suspension though. I'm beginning to think the 5000lbs is a bloated value.
5. A/C uses the new refrigerant called R-1234yf w/ ND 12 oil.
6. Driver seat (Touring) has extendable thigh support (same as BMW).
7. Has a coolant temp guage (Forester do not have this).
8. Gas cover is not lockable (all current models are lockable). Molded plastic is used liberally.
9. Falsed key hole at steering column still exist.

I know it sounds frivolous. My wife is 4 foot 11 and I’m 6 foot. I would love that driver side thigh support.
Our 2017 Forester Touring has been great. Adjustable thigh support would be the icing on the cake. New Ascent could be our next purchase. Probably the 2020 model.

 

[jd33]

For what it's worth, my family and I had a chance to check out the two Ascents on display at the Chicago Auto Show this past weekend. It looks great with comparable rear cargo space behind the third row to every other 3 row in its class, other than the Traverse (it had a ton of room behind the third row). This thread answered a bunch of the questions that I may have needed answers for, so there's really not much new answered in the photos I've uploaded. One positive that I did notice was the rear passenger mirror located in the overhead glasses holder, similar to the mirror in my 2012 CR-V. My wife really wishes our Outback had that, so that's a great addition to the Ascent for us however insignificant it might seem.

BTW, both vehicles were very popular for the patrons at the show. We showed up right when the show opened and there were plenty of people checking them out.