SUBARU Australia managing director Blair Learn has admitted there’s a area that he needs may very well be crammed within the native vary by one thing just like the Ascent, a big SUV, out there in North America as a seven- or eight-seater that competes with the likes of the Hyundai Palisade and Nissan Pathfinder.
The Japanese model has had no seven-seat choice in Australia for the reason that Tribeca massive SUV and Liberty Exiga folks mover bowed out in 2014 however it seems that Subaru Australia is on the desk asking for a big SUV choice for this market – and the next-generation Ascent, if it occurs, may very well be the reply to that query.
Though the Ascent Would possibly simply appear like a Forester that has been expanded by 20 per cent in each route, its third-row seating choice would seemingly supply Subaru consumers – notably these compelled to go away the model when the Tribeca and Exiga had been discontinued – a welcome choice within the Australian market.
“We imagine there’s a place for a seven-seat Subaru SUV within the Australian market, completely,” stated Mr Learn, calling out the competitor manufacturers that additionally supply three-row SUV choices right here.
“Nonetheless the Ascent is presently solely in-built left-hand drive for the North American market, so it’s not an out there choice for us presently.
“Sure, we’ve expressed our curiosity and it’s one thing we proceed to debate with Subaru Company, however there’s no speedy plans,” Mr Learn stated.
It’s anticipated {that a} new technology model of the Forester is due inside a yr or two, however Mr Learn declined to straight touch upon the notion that Subaru would possibly develop its fashionable medium SUV to match rivals such because the Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Path and Volkswagen Tiguan that provide a alternative of five- or seven-seat choices.
“While I can’t communicate to the next-generation Subaru Forester, it’s honest to say that Subaru’s seven-seat providing globally is the Ascent,” he stated.
The Ascent was launched across the similar time as the present fifth-generation Forester, so may very well be reaching the identical level in its lifecycle – although bigger SUVs are inclined to have barely lengthier mannequin cycles.
Subaru already has a participant within the massive SUV phase in Australia, the place the Outback is classed as a participant regardless of resembling a lifted station wagon and providing solely 5 seats.
Regardless, the Outback is presently the fourth-best-selling massive SUV in Australia, behind three-row rivals the Isuzu MU-X, Toyota Prado, and Kia Sorento.
Subaru has bought 3831 examples of the Outback to the tip of April 2023, although the Forester stays a extra fashionable automobile, with 5840 bought over the identical interval.
