Subaru Canada 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 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.
Engine and transmission
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.
The Ascent is built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), a zero-landfill facility in Lafayette, Indiana, along with the Impreza, Legacy, and Outback.