2023 Subaru Ascent Limited 7-passenger on 2040-cars

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2019 Subaru Ascent Deep Dive | 15 fast facts, 3 rows of seats and 8 golden retrievers

The 2019 Subaru Ascent three-row crossover is a big deal — both in literal size and metaphorical importance. The large Subaru plugs a gap in the company's crossover lineup that hasn't been filled since the company's previous attempt, the B9 Tribeca, fell flat on its weird-looking face. And by "plugs a gap," we don't mean in terms of market segments. Rather, it fills a gap among Subaru's band of fiercely loyal customers. Currently, Subaru's Crosstrek, Forester and Outback serve young singles, couples and parents with recently arrived children. They also have older empty nester types who effectively "come back to us." But for those customers in their "child-raising years," they've had no choice but to leave the brand in favor of one that sells a larger, three-row model. They don't need the biggest thing around, but something larger than an Outback would be nice. It is for these people that the 2019 Ascent was created, a "right sized" crossover, according to Subaru, designed to deliver the high functionality and ease-of-use expected of the brand. It was "sized to overwhelm the Outback," which it most definitely does when viewed side-by-side, while still looking very much like the Outback. Really, the Ascent is intended to keep Subaru buyers in the family, so to speak. Any conquest buyers would seem to be gravy. Here are some other takeaways from our first look at the 2019 Subaru Ascent during its unveil last night prior to the L.A. Auto Show. — The Premium and Limited trim levels will provide customers with a free-of-charge choice of second-row bench (eight-passenger) and second-row captain's chairs (seven-passenger) configurations. This is unique in the industry, giving customers the option to outfit their Ascent in a way that best suits their family. Subaru expects the captain's chairs to be a bit more popular. — We have our doubts about Subaru's official cargo capacity figures. The published maximum cargo volume, which represents both the second and third rows folded, is a meager 72.8 cubic feet. That's actually less than the Outback (73.3) and the Forester (74.7)! That's also considerably less than other three-row crossovers like the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. Having seen the Ascent in person, however, that's extremely hard to fathom. It doesn't look that small in the least. Far from it. It has a big, boxy interior with a third row that fit a pair of 6-footers behind a second pair of 6-footers in the second row.

Watch a Subaru BRZ nail world-record tightest 360 spin

How much space do you need to execute a full 360? Less than two car lengths, as it turns out. But you'd need to be someone like Alastair Moffatt to pull it off. The British stunt driver added another Guinness-certified world record at the Autosport International show in Birmingham, England, the other day when he executed a complete 360-degree turn in just 21.3 feet. 14 of those feet were taken by the Subaru BRZ he drove to accomplish the feat – naturally with the ABS and traction control disengaged. That left just 7.4 feet (2.25 meters) of clearance to flip the car all the way around, which bagged him the record for the world's tightest 360-degree spin that previously stood at 8.2 feet (2.5 meters). He didn't manage the feat just once: after extensive practicing, Moffatt performed the stunt in front of a cheering crowd, and then repeated it under tightly controlled conditions for the record adjudicators. This isn't the first such world-record stunt that Moffatt has pulled off, either. He previously scored the records for the tightest parallel parking job and for the same in reverse. Watch him accomplish his latest in the video above. SUBARU BRZ GETS IN A SPIN FOR GUINNESS WORLD RECORD - Rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ sets new world record for tightest 360° spin - Stunt driver Alastair Moffatt secures record at 2016 Autosport Show Subaru has again demonstrated the agility and precision handling prowess of its rear-wheel drive BRZ sportscar by securing the Guinness World Record for the 'Tightest 360° spin'. The record was secured at the Autosport International Show over the weekend, with the BRZ in capable hands of former world record holder Alastair Moffat. Stunt-driver ace Alastair Moffatt broke the previous 2.5-metre Guinness World Record, which was achieved in 2014, by flicking the BRZ into a 360° spin between two obstacles in Autosport International's Live Action Arena. Moffatt has previous experience setting daring Guinness World Records, including 'Tightest Reverse Parallel Park' and 'Tightest Parallel Park', the latter established at the 2015 Autosport show. The 4.24-metre-long Subaru BRZ is renowned for its low centre of gravity – lower than many high-end supercars – and naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre 'Boxer' engine, making the BRZ one of the most exciting and engaging cars on the road In order for Alastair to have maximise control over the car throughout the manoeuvre, the traction control was switched off and ABS disengaged.

Editors’ Picks January 2023 | Acura Integra, the new CR-V and more

A new year means another long year of testing and evaluating new metal coming from the automotive industry — we know, tough job, right? It also means another year of new cars making it to our EditorsÂ’ Picks status, and weÂ’re starting out January with a bang. In total, eight new vehicles were EditorsÂ’ Picks this month, including some brand-new models like the redesigned Honda CR-V, Cadillac Lyriq and the ever-controversial Acura Integra. In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, hereÂ’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get an EditorsÂ’ Pick designation. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in January that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2023 Honda CR-V 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring front three quarter View 22 Photos Quick take: An all-around winner, the Honda CR-V is spacious, features easily used technology and looks better than ever. We recommend the efficient hybrid model, but the standard powertrain is a solid option, too. Score: 9.0. What it competes with: Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Nissan Rogue, VW Tiguan, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Mitsubishi Outlander Pros: Clean styling; massive interior; efficient engine options; solid infotainment system; many standard safety features. Cons: No base trim levels; lack of specialty options such as plug-in hybrid and off-road models. From the editors: News Editor Joel Stocksdale — "The CR-V is just really good in a lot of ways that really matter. It's enormous inside. It has a clean, stylish exterior and interior. It's solidly equipped. The base engine is pretty underwhelming, but that's rectified with the more powerful, more refined and more efficient hybrid. It simply doesn't do anything badly." Senior Editor James Riswick — "The 2023 Honda CR-V is at its best as the hybrid. While the turbo base engine carries over virtually unchanged, the hybrid is new for 2023. To put it simply, itÂ’s just better to drive. Honda engineers managed to simulate shifts when the gas engine kicks on, providing a more natural driving experience and eliminating the blender-like droning of the outgoing car.