Subaru's newest three-row SUV boasts a satisfying ride and slew of features, even on the base model CAPE BRETON, NS — Across Northern Victoria County and Inverness County on Cape Breton Island lies a land of stunning Atlantic views, steep cliffs, vast expanses of deciduous foliage flanking the 298-kilometre Cabot Trail. The place truly is “nature’s masterpiece.” No wonder Subaru chose this jewel in Canada’s crown to showcase a vehicle as large as the scenery itself — the 2019 Ascent — Subaru’s biggest vehicle ever. A three-row, eight passenger SUV, the Ascent is Subaru’s answer to parents looking for an AWD family hauler that is bigger than an Outback or Forester, yet still not a minivan. Now, instead of crossing the street to kick tires on a Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX-9, Kia Sorento, VW Atlas or Ford Explorer when Subaru families have outgrown their old and trusty wagons, they can stay within the Subaru corral Starting at $35,995 for the entry-level Convenience model, the Ascent gets a slew of coveted features on the base version that would usually cost extra: full-time AWD, Subaru’s Eyesight driver assist system, a continuously variable automatic with paddle shifters, 18-inch wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, a 6.5-inch infotainment system, heated front cloth seats, roof rack and more. All standard kit. The price, of course, rises with available content through the trim ladder, up to $41,000 for the Touring, $46,500 for the Limited and $49,995 for the top-line Premier model.But instead of offering a bunch of engines and having to pay more for the turbo version, Subaru has put the same gasoline engine in all models — a new, 2.4-litre direct-injection turbo good for 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. Those are numbers normally found in a V6, so for a flat-four boxer engine, they’re impressive. Out on the road, the engine pulls with decent power, up to the task of motivating this 2,081-kilogram SUV. It’s not going to outrun a BRZ, of course, but passing, cruising and take offs are surprisingly responsive. Zero to 98 km/h registers at 7.4 seconds. There’s strong pull through the midrange, and squeezing every last drop of power out of the engine in manual model is more fun than you’d expect from a family hauler.Thanks to the engine’s flat-four architecture, the 2.4L is not some whiney wheezebox either. It should return decent fuel economy for such a big bird, too. Subaru claims 8.9 L/100km highway and 11.5 city on regular (not premium) unleaded. Our 12 and 13 average was no doubt due to the speed at which we wrung the Ascent across the twisty Cabot Trail. Even here, on this spectacular road, the Ascent never got truly ruffled.When the 20-inch tires on our Limited model wailed at their limits as the radius of a bend sharpened at speed, the Ascent showed its double-wishbone rear suspension isn’t tuned just for the smoothest, most comfortable ride possible. No, it does not carry the handling genes of a WRX, but the same engineering fingerprints are detectable. The steering feels lighter than it needs to be, though, and it will react quickly to even the smallest inputs without the guide of ample feedback. After a while, the hyper sensitive steering gets less noticeable, but it does take some time to get used to.Built in Indiana, the Ascent still looks like a Subaru, nothing like the awkward Tribeca that once filled the company’s XL shoes. With the Tribeca, it seemed as if Subaru said “here, this is what you need.” With the Ascent, it seems Subaru asked customers what they really wanted, then built it to spec, not limiting the “wants” to 19 cup holders and up to six USB ports. Despite a length of five metres, a width of two and a height of 1.8 metres, the Ascent doesn’t seem confused about what it really is by trying to disguise its size, sculpted just enough to give it a proper SUV silhouette. And it has decent ground clearance – 220 millimetres for off-road travel When it comes to off-road, the Ascent is no slacker. Sure, it’s not going to ford streams like a Land Rover, but it nonetheless holds its head high over rough terrain and deep snow — Subaru’s X-mode will control wheel slip through braking to give the wheel with the most traction the most power. On some loose rocks and muddy terrain, our fear of getting stuck proved greater than our chances. And X-mode, which pairs with hill descent control, is standard across the model line. X-mode can also lend a hand when towing boats out of the water since the Ascent is rated to tow 5,000 lbs on Touring models, and raise that with a special oil cooler for the continuously variable automatic transmission. Convenience models are rated to tow 2,000 lbs. A hitch receiver is a dealer-installed accessory, however. When not in use, the hitch can be uniquely hidden by a plastic cover on the bumper.Parents of growing families will be the ones most interested in an Ascent
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