The 2023 Subaru Ascent is a good all-wheel-drive 3-RowSUV for customers, but it could be better with two new upgrades. Check out the latest Ascent report.
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The 2023 Subaru Ascent 3-Row SUV is a good pick for new car shoppers this summer, but it could be excellent. The Ascent could be the best choice if it had two new upgrades. Check out the Ascent's sales performance and see how it has a long way to catch the Outback midsize SUV, Crosstrek subcompact SUV, and Forester compact SUV.
Ascent drops in sales.
The 2023 Subaru Ascent 3-Row is still the fourth best-selling SUV in the lineup, with 4,281 3-Row SUVs delivered to customers in July. The Ascent sales dropped 4.6 percent compared with the 4,489 models sold in June 2022. The Ascent is up 5.6 percent in the first seven months, with 37,422 models sold in 2023.
The 2023 Ascent 3-Row still lags way behind Subaru's top SUVs. The Subaru Outback 2-Row midsize SUV still leads all other models this year, with 93,833 2-Row SUVs delivered to customers in 2023.
The Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV is still second in the lineup behind the Outback year to date, with 87,371 models sold in 2023. The Subaru Forester compact SUV has 75,814 models sold to customers in 2023 and remains in third place.
The gap between the Ascent and Outback, Crosstrek, and Forester SUVs is still far. The Ascent is 56,411 model sales behind the number one Outback. Why are Ascent sales lagging?
Check Out This Related Story: The New Upgraded Subaru Ascent Checks All Boxes For Active Families Except One
What the Ascent needs to be great
A Hybrid trim level
The box that needs to be checked for customers is an Ascent hybrid trim level. The Ascent Hybrid would give the 3-Row SUV seven trim levels and a more fuel-efficient option. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is good, but hybrid technology would further set the family SUV apart from the competition.
Subaru Corporation is developing new hybrid models, and Subaru of America's largest vehicle would benefit the most. Look for an Ascent Hybrid trim level for U.S. customers in four to five years.
Related Story: 7 Best 3rd Row SUV Seats - Consumer Reports Says Subaru Ascent Is A Top Pick
A new Wilderness trim
Former President and CEO of Subaru of America, Tom Doll, hinted at the Subaru dealer meeting this year that Subaru of America might launch more Wilderness trim levels soon. Doll said Subaru's present lineup is particularly tailored for U.S. consumer tastes, citing the 3-row Subaru Ascent and top-of-the-line Wilderness trim and equipment packages for the Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester.
Related Story: What Is The Next Subaru To Join The Wilderness Family? One Model Tops A Short List
According to Wards Auto, Doll says additional Wilderness packages may be in the works, "possibly hinting at a new Ascent SUV Wilderness edition."
The Ascent Wilderness would make sense for Subaru of America's active customers. Subaru could wait until the Ascent gets a complete remodel for the 2025 model year to offer the Ascent Wilderness trim.
The 2023 Subaru Ascent is a good all-wheel-drive 3-Row SUV, but it could be excellent. Subaru of America announced pricing for the 2024 Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler. The 2024 Ascent gets new safety upgrades, a modest price increase, and new technology for midsize SUV shoppers. Stay tuned.
Check the 2024 Ascent report below.
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Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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