3 Subaru Ascent Features Will Make It Safest 3-Row Family Hauler In America

The latest 2018 TOP SAFETY PICK + awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are out and Subaru scores well again with six vehicles getting the highest marks. How do we know the new 2019 Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler will be the safest family 3-Row crossover in America?

Crash tests are more than just something their cars are subjected to annually by the IIHS. Safety is a core value for the brand and they’ve been testing their own vehicles for 50 years before it became an industry standard. Subaru developed proprietary crash methods more than 10 year before new car assessment programs were developed.

3 features will make Ascent the safest 3-Row in America

Subaru safety will continue to be a focus with the new 3-Row Ascent because of three things, the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP), their EyeSight driver assist system, and new Steering Responsive Headlights. The new architecture underpinning the all-new 2019 Ascent first was introduced on the Impreza compact and Crosstrek crossover. The new SGP improves crash energy absorption by 40 percent over present models keeping occupants safer in the event of a crash. Both Impreza and Crosstrek received high marks from the latest IIHS 2018 tests.

The Ascent’s new SGP architecture also integrates the latest version of Subaru’s ring-shaped reinforcement frame, which protects the vehicles occupants in a collision. It’s been used for over nearly two decades on every Subaru vehicles in the lineup. Front-end structural details also help improve safety for pedestrians.

New 2018 IIHS safety requirements

Just 15 vehicles qualified for the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award after the new 2018 requirements were implemented for headlights and frontal crash evaluations. The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe was the only 3-Row Mid-Size SUV to score the top award where the new Subaru Ascent will compete.

When equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and LED Steering Responsive Headlights, four Subaru models just earned the 2018 TOP SAFETY PICK + award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The new Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler will get both.

The 2019 Ascent will be the first Subaru to come standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology that includes Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, and new EyeSight Assist Monitor (EAM) which provides a heads-up display of the EyeSight system warnings as well as system status information on the windshield of the vehicle. Ascent Limited and Touring models will also come standard with new Steering Responsive Headlights.

Ascent advanced safety

The 2019 Ascent will be available with even more safety tech. The Ascent 3-Row also offers available Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist, and Reverse Automatic Braking.

The top-trim Touring model will also come standard with a new Front View Monitor that displays a 180-degree view of the front of the vehicle on the multi-function display by using a camera located in the front grille. Also standard on Touring will be a Smart Rear View Mirror which displays a view from behind the vehicle from a camera mounted above the rear gate glass, when activated. This feature benefits the driver in poor visibility to the rear of the vehicle due to passengers or cargo blocking the view.

The all-new 2019 Subaru Ascent will be subjected to the same stringent IIHS safety crash tests once it arrives next summer. Look for the 3-Row family hauler to be one of, if not the safest new Mid-Size SUVs in America with standard EyeSight, Steering Responsive Headlights, and a host of other safety features.

Photo credit: Subaru Global