[FoRealz]

I am sorry I did not clarify, what I meant was the actual speedometer and the tachometer gauges themselves I hear are different in the Premium vs the Limited and Touring. For example if you build a Premium on the build page for the Ascent on the Subaru website if you look at the shot of the dash you will see the needles for those 2 gauges are red instead of the ice blue like in the Limited and Touring. Just wanted to know if you noticed that or not. Only reason why is the gauges look REALLY nice in the Limited and Touring but I have a Premium on order. People may not think about to much but when you are behind the wheel you look at the gauges quite a bit.:tango_face_wink:

Also curious about this.

That ice blue looks amazing...

 

[cjkenton]

The test car drivers (who are all former race car drivers, actually) mentioned that to us. You know how the front automatic climate control sensor is built into the dash and only 3 little notches in the dash? The rear sensor - and again, these are pre-production models, so they may have a cover for them now - had a recess in the body on the left 2nd row with the opening to the sensor visible. Basically a perfect spot for a kid to pour something in.

Hummmm, ok thanks!

 

[columnshift]

does eyesight include driver focus feature??? on any levels?

 

[GHP1]

does eyesight include driver focus feature??? on any levels?

Nope, That looks to be a exclusive 2019 Forester touring feature

 

[Robert.Mauro]

does eyesight include driver focus feature??? on any levels?

Nope, That looks to be a exclusive 2019 Forester touring feature

I've been advised that if it goes over well in the 2019 Forester, it will likely make the mid generation refresh for the Ascent, which means 2021/2022 Ascent. The Forester is an exclusive trial of the technology.

The Ascent does not come with the necessary hardware, nor is such hardware available from Subaru to refit an Ascent.

(this part is my speculation and not what I have been told by Subaru Product Manager) I suspect that there will be refinements in the next 3 years to the system in the Forester, and those refinements and its reception will determine a more wider availability.

 

[gobears157]

I've been advised that if it goes over well in the 2019 Forester, it will likely make the mid generation refresh for the Ascent, which means 2021/2022 Ascent. The Forester is an exclusive trial of the technology.

The Ascent does not come with the necessary hardware, nor is such hardware available from Subaru to refit an Ascent.

(this part is my speculation and not what I have been told by Subaru Product Manager) I suspect that there will be refinements in the next 3 years to the system in the Forester, and those refinements and its reception will determine a more wider availability.

By 2021/2022, I'm hoping that semi-autonomous vehicles become much closer to fully autonomous. I'm buying the Subaru Ascent b/c it's what I need (and can afford) for the next 3-5 years. It's replacing my Lexus CT200. The next vehicle I buy 3-5 years from now will be to replace my other car, and hopefully this replacement will be very close to autonomous.

 

[GHP1]

I've been advised that if it goes over well in the 2019 Forester, it will likely make the mid generation refresh for the Ascent, which means 2021/2022 Ascent. The Forester is an exclusive trial of the technology.

The Ascent does not come with the necessary hardware, nor is such hardware available from Subaru to refit an Ascent.

(this part is my speculation and not what I have been told by Subaru Product Manager) I suspect that there will be refinements in the next 3 years to the system in the Forester, and those refinements and its reception will determine a more wider availability.

I don't get it the Ascent is the flagship and does not have as much tech as the Forester. They mix it up- the Ascent has the mirror thing going on, the Forester does not and the Forester has the driver focus the Ascent does not. I guess the 20 Outback will have something new that the Forester or Ascent does not have. Subaru's marketing needs a refresh.

 

[Nemesis099]

By 2021/2022, I'm hoping that semi-autonomous vehicles become much closer to fully autonomous. I'm buying the Subaru Ascent b/c it's what I need (and can afford) for the next 3-5 years. It's replacing my Lexus CT200. The next vehicle I buy 3-5 years from now will be to replace my other car, and hopefully this replacement will be very close to autonomous.

I think autonomous vehicles are further off then people think. I'm expecting at least 10-15 years away still. The more I read about them the more issues I find that they need to overcome and it isn't just processing speed and coding that is the issue. A lot of the sensors needed have to be cleaned constantly and the vehicles don't work as well or at all in bad weather. These will be overcome but I think having anyone own one is further off than people realize.

I don't get it the Ascent is the flagship and does not have as much tech as the Forester. They mix it up- the Ascent has the mirror thing going on, the Forester does not and the Forester has the driver focus the Ascent does not. I guess the 20 Outback will have something new that the Forester or Ascent does not have. Subaru's marketing needs a refresh.

I'm mixed on this as I like the fact the Ascent has a lot of new features and wish it had these options but at the same time I can understand not wanting to load one vehicle up with every new feature because if one doesn't work right it might cascade to the others. This is why a lot of auto companies have halo vehicles that get everything but are expensive. You test out new technologies in that vehicle before rolling it out to the rest of the lineup. That way if you did anything incorrectly it is a smaller amount of vehicles to fix.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

By 2021/2022, I'm hoping that semi-autonomous vehicles become much closer to fully autonomous. I'm buying the Subaru Ascent b/c it's what I need (and can afford) for the next 3-5 years. It's replacing my Lexus CT200. The next vehicle I buy 3-5 years from now will be to replace my other car, and hopefully this replacement will be very close to autonomous.

I discussed that with them as well. Around that time, or shortly after, they will have driver assist around what Tesla can do, but they currently have no intentions of releasing it as "autonomous driving" in the United States. The mishaps with existing systems on our horrendous roads would be the reason why.

One of the Product Specialists theorized that if we get to the point where we have road sensors and such, they'd enable an autonomous mode for suitably modified roads.

Like most manufacturers, he expects true autonomous driving is a decade away still - at best.

I *do* know that they are already testing autonomous functions in Japan though.

Here's some fun links:

• https://www.theglobeandmail.com/glo...an-aims-to-show-off-autonomous-vehicles-at-2020-summerolympics/article36971226/
• http://fortune.com/2017/02/10/subaru-testing-self-driving-cars/
• https://www.caradvice.com.au/597128/subaru-opens-new-test-tracks-for-autonomous-driving-features/
• https://www.detroitnews.com/story/b...how/2018/01/16/subaru-invests-ypsilanti-self-driving-proving-grounds/109516226/
• http://www.autonews.com/article/20170619/MOBILITY/170619762/subaru-eyesight

 

[pilot1226]

Okay, so I may be a little biased working for Subaru and all, but this car is Amazing. I recently drove a new Highlander and a new Pilot for comparison. I wanted to drive an Atlas but didn't get a chance to. This was a touring model I was able to drive.

The drive is QUIET! We've got some loud roads here and I was expecting about as much road noise as they have on the 3.6 Outback. The Ascent is much better!! The get up and go was pleasantly surprising. Its not an STI but its easily on par with the 3.6 Outback and XT Forester. I took the corners a little aggressively and didn't feel the body roll that I expected. The boaty feel I expected was completely absent. I didn't notice the delay in passing power that Motor Trend talked about. It had adequate power throughout the acceleration curve.

I'm 6'1 and set the front seat where I'd normally drive. Then jumped behind to the second row and set that seat comfortably. Then jumped in the 3rd row and with the back reclined I felt just fine. When it was straight up and down it wasn't very comfortable. Having the pass through in the middle of the second row was very nice for the 3rd row passengers. I took a spin around the block with 6 guys my size and we were all comfortable. AND IT STILL SURPRISED US WITH THE GET UP AND GO! We were expecting the additional 1200 lbs to slow it down a little, but it didn't.

The pass through rear view mirror was trippy at first. My eyes were expecting to adjust to a normal mirror, but the camera was a completely different view than what I was used to, but its a very clear picture and just takes a bit to get used to.

Overall this car was absolutely everything I was hoping it would be and more!

I can't wait for mine! July needs to get here asap!!

This is interesting.

I was/am all set on getting a "2019" Outback 3.6 to replace my 2011 2.5, but I'm making arrangements to test drive one of the Ascents when they get in stock.

The sticker on the 3.6 I'm looking at is around $40.5k, whereas I'd probably look to an Ascent Premium for around $37k.

I like that I don't have to have all the bells and whistles - I really just want the all weather package. I don't care about the keyless push start and power rear gate. I like simple in this respect.

Interesting about the boat feel. I'm looking forward to it. We already own a third row SUV - a Honda Pilot - but that's my wife's daily.

 

[GHP1]

This is interesting.

I was/am all set on getting a "2019" Outback 3.6 to replace my 2011 2.5, but I'm making arrangements to test drive one of the Ascents when they get in stock.

The sticker on the 3.6 I'm looking at is around $40.5k, whereas I'd probably look to an Ascent Premium for around $37k.

I like that I don't have to have all the bells and whistles - I really just want the all weather package. I don't care about the keyless push start and power rear gate. I like simple in this respect.

Interesting about the boat feel. I'm looking forward to it. We already own a third row SUV - a Honda Pilot - but that's my wife's daily.

You will be able to get quite the discount and better financing on the Outback vs the Ascent

 

[pilot1226]

This is interesting.

I was/am all set on getting a "2019" Outback 3.6 to replace my 2011 2.5, but I'm making arrangements to test drive one of the Ascents when they get in stock.

The sticker on the 3.6 I'm looking at is around $40.5k, whereas I'd probably look to an Ascent Premium for around $37k.

I like that I don't have to have all the bells and whistles - I really just want the all weather package. I don't care about the keyless push start and power rear gate. I like simple in this respect.

Interesting about the boat feel. I'm looking forward to it. We already own a third row SUV - a Honda Pilot - but that's my wife's daily.

You will be able to get quite the discount and better financing on the Outback vs the Ascent

I’m going to get aggressive pricing regardless due to eligibility for the vip pricing. It’s more of a question of “does it make more sense to get an 8p Ascent Premium compared to a 5p Outback Limited and save a little in the end, too)

 

[bpark11usc]

Please elaborate on VIP PRICING...how does one receive such benefits?

 

[Burutoo]

Please elaborate on VIP PRICING...how does one receive such benefits?

VIP pricing is given to members of various partner organizations. There are several in which you can join and then be eligible for this pricing (google: subaru VIP pricing partners). I will say that I looked into it and depending on region some dealers will give you better deals on ordered vehicles even without the VIP pricing. going this route makes for easy negotiating free dealing though.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Please elaborate on VIP PRICING...how does one receive such benefits?

In my and my friends' particular cases, we helped raise over $41,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation, with me in particular raising the highest amount (2nd highest on paper) of all 87 of us, nearing the 10% mark of our total donations - along with a bunch of other charity work year round.

It was an unexpected and very nice "thank you". Better yet, the fact they'd do it because of the charity work, as opposed to because I am a Subaru Ambassador, speaks volumes to me about Subaru.
♥♥♥

 

[calimomofboys]

All of my whining didn’t fall on deaf ears- I got to see, touch and ride in one today in Northern California! Dazzled. Not plastic and cheap like the Highlander felt, more powerful and as comfy if not more than the Pilot. Nearly as good as the Audi that was $86,000 and whose reliability the husband and mechanic friend both scoffed at. I am so in love. Interestingly, a fellow that seemed to be curator of the car said that my ordering a touring might help with arrival date. He said (which could be totally wrong but I selfishly hope it’s not) that the Touring and Limited would be likely be pushed out first because Subaru wants those on the road ASAP. Fingers crossed that the next or eight weeks zip past and she is home sooner rather than later! Going from my daily driver 5.7L Hemi pickup she felt incredibly zippy but still quiet and so comfortable.

 

[Jason]

Please elaborate on VIP PRICING...how does one receive such benefits?

Although most new cars are exempt from Subaru's VIP programs for a time. The hybrid crosstrek, when first released was exempt for a good 6 months before Subaru realized they couldn't give those cars away fast enough. Currently the only vehicles exempt from the VIP programs are the STI and the BRZ tS.

 

[Carl Abrams]

Although most new cars are exempt from Subaru's VIP programs for a time. The hybrid crosstrek, when first released was exempt for a good 6 months before Subaru realized they couldn't give those cars away fast enough. Currently the only vehicles exempt from the VIP programs are the STI and the BRZ tS.

Although the BRZ tS is NOT exempt from the limited time Subaru employee pricing program ... which made one of my fellow employee's VERY happy. :tango_face_surprise

That makes me wonder what will happen when the new Hybrid Crosstrek comes out, if they'll do that again.

 

[Gregor]

All of my whining didn’t fall on deaf ears- I got to see, touch and ride in one today in Northern California! Dazzled. Not plastic and cheap like the Highlander felt, more powerful and as comfy if not more than the Pilot. Nearly as good as the Audi that was $86,000 and whose reliability the husband and mechanic friend both scoffed at. I am so in love. Interestingly, a fellow that seemed to be curator of the car said that my ordering a touring might help with arrival date. He said (which could be totally wrong but I selfishly hope it’s not) that the Touring and Limited would be likely be pushed out first because Subaru wants those on the road ASAP. Fingers crossed that the next or eight weeks zip past and she is home sooner rather than later! Going from my daily driver 5.7L Hemi pickup she felt incredibly zippy but still quiet and so comfortable.

Which dealership were you at?

 

[FoRealz]

All of my whining didn’t fall on deaf ears- I got to see, touch and ride in one today in Northern California! Dazzled. Not plastic and cheap like the Highlander felt, more powerful and as comfy if not more than the Pilot. Nearly as good as the Audi that was $86,000 and whose reliability the husband and mechanic friend both scoffed at. I am so in love. Interestingly, a fellow that seemed to be curator of the car said that my ordering a touring might help with arrival date. He said (which could be totally wrong but I selfishly hope it’s not) that the Touring and Limited would be likely be pushed out first because Subaru wants those on the road ASAP. Fingers crossed that the next or eight weeks zip past and she is home sooner rather than later! Going from my daily driver 5.7L Hemi pickup she felt incredibly zippy but still quiet and so comfortable.

Also curious what dealership you were at.

Also, are you tall by chance? I thought the Ascent was 6'2"