2027 Subaru Ascent.
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The large 3-row Subaru Ascent came out in 2018. After years of Subaru dealers asking for something larger than the Outback.
Unlike other 3-row SUVs, sales of the Ascent have been going down. From a high of 82,000 units in 2019, it came down to around 56,000 last year. That compares to 90,000 for the Toyota Highlander. Over 141,000 for the Honda Pilot. 115,500 for the Kia Telluride. Even the Nissan Pathfinder beat the big Subaru with over 71,000 units.
Of course, the usual answer will be that it’s not large enough. But it is. It’s just fine. Not the largest or the smallest 3-row SUV. And still, the next one will probably be larger, to “better compete” in the US.
However, what Subaru will probably not fix is the rather ghastly design. A horrible trend that plagues all current Subaru models. The sheer amount of black plastic cladding crap all over the car is just gross. While buyers of the Crosstrek, Forester, and even the Outback don’t seem to mind, it might not be a look that people want in a larger, more expensive, more obviously family-oriented vehicle.
Sure, something larger. But especially, something better looking might work. Subaru has been producing ugly designs for so long that they might not even know what that’s like anymore. Which is really too bad, since their cars are really comfortable and usually quiet. And feels quite refined and solid to drive. There must be someone at Subaru that can understand that if they were better looking they could be even more popular.
There is more bad news coming up with the super angular and again, quite ghastly, redesigned Outback for 2026.
Let’s hope that by the time a new Ascent is due, the brand found it in its heart to at least try and come up with something more pleasant looking.
The illustration above shows what could happen to the next Ascent if Subaru doesn’t really get it. And come up with yet another tortured shape covered with black plastic trim everywhere. At least it seems a bit more interesting than the current version…
Subaru needs to replace the CVT with a conventional 8speed gearbox.
Somehow plastic pieces became synonymous for outdoorsy.
just when Subaru finally got its hybrid game together (thanks, Toyota!), they’re making the ugliest cars on the market.
That rendering looks too good for Subaru. The new Forester proves they don’t know how to design cars.