Always on guard

The combination of the world-class Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time AWD system, surprising agility, superior visibility and class-leading technology makes the Subaru Ascent a case study in active safety. Next-generation thinking that powers the Subaru EyeSight^®◊ Driver Assist Technology, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Active Torque Vectoring and X-MODE^® represent the critical first line of defense—and the most effective way to avoid a potential accident in the first place.

360 Degrees of Visibility

The Subaru Ascent is engineered from the ground up to provide 360 degrees of visibility. The placement of the side pillars, the windshield design, elevation of the seats and generous ground clearance—everything has a role to play with this end goal in mind. These features are supported by advanced technology: the standard rearview camera, available front view camera with a near 180-degree view and available Smart Rearview Mirror, which displays the rearview image captured by another camera mounted on the rear hatch. Another available advanced technology is the Surround-view monitor, which gives a virtual 360 view around the vehicle through various cameras located around the Ascent.

EyeSight^® Driver Assist Technology

This award-winning active safety system, which comes standard on all versions of the Subaru Ascent, utilizes two stereo cameras and a wide-angle mono camera to monitor activity on the road ahead, help identify potentially hazardous situations and provide assistance to the driver when needed most. This technology incorporates several different advanced active-safety systems: Pre-collision Braking, Pre-collision Throttle Management, Automatic Emergency Steering, Adaptive Cruise Control with Vehicle Hold, Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning, Lane Centring Assist, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Vehicles equipped with EyeSight earn the highest possible front-crash prevention ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)**.

Smart Rearview Mirror

Available in the Premier trim level, this innovative mirror has two modes activated by a single switch: one mode sees the rearview mirror function like a typical mirror, the other mode displays the image captured by a camera mounted on the rear hatch. This feature comes in especially handy when there are passengers or cargo blocking the view out the back window, ensuring that the driver always has a clear view of what’s behind.

High Beam Assist

By automatically switching to high beams from low beams when traffic in the road ahead is clear, this feature helps ensure optimum nighttime visibility at all times. High Beam Assist is standard on all trim levels.

Reverse Automatic Braking

This technology detects obstructions behind the vehicle and automatically applies the brakes when it judges that the risk of collision is high. Another part of this safety system is the rear obstruction warning feature, which signals drivers using different alarm patterns according to the distance from the obstruction. Reverse Automatic Braking is available on the Touring, Onyx, Limited and Premier trim levels.

Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection System (SRVD)

This SRVD system has three distinct functions: Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Blind Spot Detection identifies vehicles behind the C-pillars and in other blind spots, while Lane Change Assist detects fast-approaching vehicles when changing lanes. Using a sensor in the back of the vehicle, Rear Cross Traffic Alert signals drivers while reversing that a vehicle is approaching from the right or the left. Available on the Touring, Limited and Premier trim levels.

Front-view Camera

Available on the Premier trim level, this camera captures a near 180-degree view of what’s surrounding the front of the vehicle. This image is displayed on the centre console screen, which can prove incredibly useful when parking close to an obstruction or attempting to pull out into an obscured intersection.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

The braking system includes such advances as Electronic Brake-force Distribution (which automatically adjusts front/rear brake pressure under different vehicle loads), Brake Override (cuts engine power when the brakes are applied) and Brake Assist (boosts stopping power in emergency-braking situations). Another feature, Auto Vehicle Hold, keeps the vehicle in place, even with the transmission in gear and the brake pedal released.

Steering Responsive Headlights

These standard LED headlights automatically angle in the direction of the corner to provide better visibility through the turns at night. The LED lighting system also casts a brighter and whiter beam than conventional headlights for improved illumination.

Rearview Camera

Standard on all trim levels, this system displays a crystal-clear image of what’s behind the vehicle projected onto the centre console screen. For an even more natural image that’s free of all distortion, the rear camera is located close to the centre of the vehicle and provides a wide-angle view.

Subaru DriverFocus^TM – Distraction Mitigation System (DMS)

Available on the Limited and Premier trim levels, this award-winning system utilizes a camera angled at the driver’s face and facial recognition software to monitor fatigue or lack of attention. When the driver begins to lose focus, DriverFocus^TM sends out a helpful alert, like an automated co-driver. The system is also able to adjust climate control settings by reading hand gestures. DriverFocus^TM also stores the preferences for up to five drivers, including the position of the seats and side mirrors, climate control settings and gauge readouts on the multi-function display./p>

Advanced Ring-shaped Reinforcement Frame

This robust frame design incorporates high-tensile materials and cross members, connecting the roof to the side pillars and the floor. The result is a super-strong structure that dissipates and diverts crash energy away from the passenger cabin. A front crumple zone provides further protection in the event of a frontal impact. And the rear structure is specifically engineered to deliver never-before-seen levels of safety for third-row passengers in the event of a rear collision.

Injury-reducing Seats and Seatbelt Systems

The front seats are designed to mitigate the chance of whiplash in the event of a collision and include height-adjustable front seatbelts, shoulder pretensioners, load limiters and a locking tongue design for added restraining strength. The position of the ISO-FIX/LATCH lower anchor bars has been optimized for easier use and greater security with child seats. There are up to 7 lower anchor bars and 6 tether anchors in the rear two rows, depending on seating configuration. The Rear Seat and Rear Seatbelt Reminders for second and third rows are standard on all trim levels.

Airbags

The Ascent features a full complement of supplemental restraints engineered to protect passengers across all three rows of seating. For the driver and front passenger, there are dual-stage deployment front airbags, a driver knee airbag and front seat-mounted side-impact airbags. The driver, front passenger, second- and third-row outboard occupants are also safeguarded by side-curtain airbags.

Break-away Drivetrain

The SUBARU BOXER^® engine and Lineartronic^® CVT both feature low-profile designs that are mounted low in the frame of the Ascent. In the event of a head-on collision, the engine and transmission are designed to absorb impact energy first, then break away from the vehicle structure and drop to the ground to prevent intrusion into the passenger cabin.