[Rcpilot]

Any information on the passenger seat adjustment capability? We had wanted to purchase an Outback Touring but we are shorter people and the passenger seat felt like riding in a bath tub with legs straight out in front. No seat height. Funny that the driver seat can be adjusted higher with no problem. I guess the passenger seat has no lumbar support either?
Thanks for any descriptions of front seat comfort.

 

[Janner]

Head room and seat height off the ground

I don't have an answer for you but have a related question. Hope it's ok to piggyback.

Anyone know about headroom and how much higher the seat might be off the ground than the Outback? My husband is 6'4" and he has to duck and unfold to get out of the Outback. I'm 5'10" and also would like a seat higher off the ground than the Outback. Anyone see these type of dimensions?

 

[schassey]

Headroom

I don't have any answers to the questions about seat height, but the headroom in the front seats is 41.3"/40.1" (without/with sunroof) vs 40.8"/38.3" for the 5th gen OB per Subaru's .pdfs.

Given that the overall vehicle height is 71.6" vs 66.1" for the OB, along with the headroom figures above and the fact that the ground clearance stays the same, it's probably safe to assume that the seat height is at least a few inches higher in the Ascent (possible to be some difference in floor pan, roof and roof rail thickness eating up or adding to some of that potential 4.5" [without sunroof] gain), but I haven't seen any published or hand measured specs yet.

 

[calimomofboys]

I am also curious for those of you who own/have owned Subarus AND have gotten the chance to sit in an Ascent at an auto show- what currently available Subaru do you think would be the MOST comparable that we could sit in and drive? Now? I have never owned or driven a Subaru but placed my order yesterday for a touring model Ascent and would like to drive a Subaru for a ROUGH idea of comfort and drive before my husband puts his beloved Toyota FJ Cruiser on the market to sell for the incoming Ascent (they have told us we have a July delivery date). We also have a late July road trip planned so to say we have a lot on the line is an understatement. Our back up plan is the Elite Honda Pilot but that messy transmission makes it a very very very far second choice. I know that the Ascent engine is brand new but in the event that the April "demo" models of the Ascent are poppycock and we can't sit in one before ours is delivered I would love a rough idea in advance. So what say you- Forester or Outback (knowing that both are not going to be the same as the Ascent- just looking for the closest currently available)? Please and thank you!

 

[BoxerRules]

I’ve owned two 1990s-era Outbacks, and I own a 2009 Impreza (manual) and 2012 Forester (auto). My sister also owns a 2014 Crosstrek (CVT) that I’ve driven. I have _not_ had the pleasure of driving a recent model Outback. I think generally the driving feel is similar in Subarus, a good feel of the road, steering that makes you feel very connected to the car, firm yet comfortable seats. And generally the same distance of the steering wheel and controls. Subaru tends to share parts among their line so everything is very similar. And all have the same boxer engine kind of sound, it’s not quiet yet not annoying. I think the Forester feels like it has the best acceleration out of all of these cars, maybe because it has more torque. I thought the Crosstrek could use a little more horsepower, but it was still adequate. All of these cars I really enjoyed/enjoy driving.

I sat in the Ascent at the auto show, and I’d say it most reminded me of the Forester. I’m really hoping that Ascent drives a lot like the Forester, if so it would be absolutely perfect. The Forester is the car I recommend you test drive, but of course if the dealer gets an Ascent in early for demos, you might want to check the real one out.

 

[Janner]

I have a '15 Outback and I sat in the Ascent recently. The Ascent sits higher - slide straight across versus getting "up" out of the Outback. I also think the Forester would be more comparable as it has more height.

 

[calimomofboys]

I’ve owned two 1990s-era Outbacks, and I own a 2009 Impreza (manual) and 2012 Forester (auto). My sister also owns a 2014 Crosstrek (CVT) that I’ve driven. I have _not_ had the pleasure of driving a recent model Outback. I think generally the driving feel is similar in Subarus, a good feel of the road, steering that makes you feel very connected to the car, firm yet comfortable seats. And generally the same distance of the steering wheel and controls. Subaru tends to share parts among their line so everything is very similar. And all have the same boxer engine kind of sound, it’s not quiet yet not annoying. I think the Forester feels like it has the best acceleration out of all of these cars, maybe because it has more torque. I thought the Crosstrek could use a little more horsepower, but it was still adequate. All of these cars I really enjoyed/enjoy driving.

I sat in the Ascent at the auto show, and I’d say it most reminded me of the Forester. I’m really hoping that Ascent drives a lot like the Forester, if so it would be absolutely perfect. The Forester is the car I recommend you test drive, but of course if the dealer gets an Ascent in early for demos, you might want to check the real one out.

So super helpful! Thank you bunches! My daily driver is a 5.7L Hemi pickup so test driving almost anything has felt a little lackluster but that being said, I have had Tahoes that we’re super sluggish with soft braking and I didn’t even care because they were so spacious and comfortable. My hope is this will be more fun and spunky than the Tahoes and as comfy without all of that ridiculous bulk and the awful gas mileage! Will get into the dealership for a Forester drive early next month at the latest unless the phantom demo appears. Thank you again.

 

[BoxerRules]

A Hemi pickup wow, yes the driving experience will be a little different haha. Let us know what you and your husband think of the Forester, or the Ascent if you get to test drive one.