It will be a smart move from
It will be a smart move from Subaru if they make Ascent as Pickup, will to me it's Crossover Pickup not traditional Pickup but there is Honda Ridgeline and also in 2020 will see Hyundai Santa Cruz Pickup those two Pickup will have Unibody chassis not Body on Frame, same thing will not have Low Range, I don't think that Subaru will built a Pickup in different platform they will take any Subaru cars and make it as different category same what happen from Impreza to XV/Crosstrek and Legacy to Outback, so i think if Subaru want made a Pickup will take Ascent as better car for Pickup category, lately there are many people how don't want to own a traditional Pickup that high capabilities on offraod and tow but will not become too comfortable and be good for daily use, cause most traditional Pickup is very annoying for uncomfortable suspensions and also not uncomfortable seats especially in Mid-Pickup (most Full size Pickup is better comfortable in suspensions & seats), which some people why leave the traditional Pickup same as Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado to buy Subaru Ascent Pickup, Honda Ridgeline, Hyundai Santa Cruz Pickup, there is a study that many Pickup owners not use their Pickup purposes most the time which give the idea to Honda to keep making Ridgeline until now! which is by the way getting good sales numbers! Honda Ridgeline beat GMC Canyon in sales figures for 2017, so there is a high chance to Subaru to succeed in this category cause i believe Subaru Ascent Pickup can beat Honda Ridgeline in sales cause the X-Mode so it's so import for Pickup owners also can beat Ridgeline by IIHS crash test to become Subaru Ascent Pickup in 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK to earn 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK+, i will not be surprised if Subaru got it but that depends if Subaru was smart and entered this category or was Subaru is stupid and leave this category for good :\
The only problem i think make some people not to buy Subaru Ascent Pickup that Ascent Pickup is the only Pickup in NA market have CVT!