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2019 Subaru Ascent Drivers' Notes Review | Subaru redux

The 2019 Subaru Ascent is the follow-up to the odd and slow-selling Subaru Tribeca. From 2005 to 2014, Subaru sold just 76,774 Tribecas in the U.S. at a time when the company's sales as a whole were on a climb. As we put it in our first drive review, the Ascent can be considered a sort of mulligan. The new model comes out hot and heavy against strong three row competitors like the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9 and American offerings like the Chevy Traverse and the Ford Explorer. Our tester is the top-shelf Touring trim. Standard features on the Ascent include Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist, keyless entry, three-zone climate control and a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four mated to a CVT. Power, like nearly every Subaru, is sent to all-four wheels. For $45,670, the Ascent Touring nets you features like leather trim, power-adjustable front seating, a panoramic moonroof, LED lighting, a power opening rear gate and an upgraded audio system with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore: I found myself liking the Subaru Ascent much more than I expected. The turbo four and light steering made it surprisingly engaging to drive. I enjoyed how this one was trimmed out, and the cabin managed to be both woodsy and elegant. It also offered an excellent view of my surroundings, which is not a given for a beefy SUV. Style-wise, I don't love it. I think it looks better in pictures than in person. It seemed a little overwrought in my driveway. If you need a people hauler, and specifically, you need three rows, this one is worth a look. If you don't need three rows, I'd go with an Outback or Forester. That being said, this is the vehicle Subaru absolutely needs in order to have a more complete presence in the U.S. market. It's highly competitive with the VW Atlas, and it should add some solid incremental sales to Subaru's volume. Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski: I've logged more time in the Subaru Ascent than any other staffer here at Autoblog, having attending the automaker's initial drive event a few months ago and then signing a different one out to schlep my family on a couple of long drives in and around Seattle, Wash. Sometimes it takes a good, long drive to really figure out a car's merits and demerits. Other times, though, initial impressions are confirmed.

Autoblog Minute: Redbull Global Rallycross makes its first ever stop in Detroit

Red Bull Global Rallycross makes its first ever visit to Detroit halfway through the 2015 season. Autoblog's Chris McGraw and Eddie Sabatini report on this edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00]It's halfway through the 2015 season as Red Bull Global Rallycross makes its first visit to Detroit, I'm Chris McGraw and this is your Autoblog Minute. For the uninitiated, Global Rallycross or GRC is mixed surface, sprint style auto racing; like World Rally Cars vehicles are heavily modified production models tuned to racing spec. We sent Autoblog's Eddie Sabatini to the track on Belle Isle for a closer look. [00:30] [EDDIE SABATINI INTERVIEW] [01:00] With multiple auto manufacturers, numerous press outlets, and scores of Michigan based race fans, Detroit proves to be a crucial stop for the GRC tour. For Autoblog, I'm Chris McGraw. Autoblog Minute is a short-form news video series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals.

Subaru readying special-edition BRZ

Another week coming to a close brings another rumor of a potential hotted-up version of the Subaru everyone wants to turbocharge, the BRZ.
A fresh rumor out of the Car and Driver offices makes the claim that a new, special-edition BRZ model will be offered up within the next few months. Word is that the new model will not get similar upgrades to the recent BRZ tS (seen above) for the Japanese market, meaning we're likely in for a cosmetic update instead of a functional one.
The looks of the tS could still be in the cards, however, meaning swapped-out lip spoiler, wheels and even STI badging might be on the way.