Subaru prices 3-row Ascent from $32,970

When the 2019 Subaru Ascent reaches retailers this summer, it will be priced well below its competition in the three-row, all-wheel-drive crossover segment.Subaru of America said Thursday that pricing for the brand's newest nameplate will start at $32,970, including shipping.The Ascent, which debuted in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, figures to be a critical vehicle for Subaru to continue its U.S. sales growth, launching the automaker in a large crossover segment that expanded 15 percent in 2017 and is dominated by the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia.Standard features on the base Ascent include Subaru's symmetrical awd, 18-inch wheels, roof rails, a 6.5-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, four USB ports, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a second-row bench seat, allowing room for eight. Standard across the four trim levels is Subaru's EyeSight safety system, which includes automatic pre-collison braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure and sway warning and pre-collision throttle management.Also standard in all Ascents is a cabin-view mirror that allows the driver and front passenger to view occupants in the second and third rows, Subaru noted.The Ascent features just one engine, which is new: a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine that produces 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a new version of Subaru's continuously variable transmission.The Premium trim is priced starting at $35,170, including shipping, and is available with a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs.Standard features on the Premium trim include blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system, spill-repellent cloth upholstery, Wi-Fi connectivity and heated front seats.The Limited trim starts at $39,970, including shipping, and is also available in an 8- or 7-seat layout.Limited trim brings leather-trimmed upholstery, LED steering responsive headlights, LED fog lights, 20-inch wheels, six USB ports, a power rear gate and push-button start.At the top of the trim lineup is Touring, which starts at $45,670, including shipping.The Touring model features Subaru's Java Brown leather seats, heated steering wheel, wood grain-pattern matte finish accent trim and eight USB ports, the automaker said.The Touring trim, available only in the seven-seat layout, comes standard with an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system, panoramic moonroof, smart rearview mirror and 180-degree front-view camera.The Ascent's starting price is considerably less than those of its competitors when equipped with awd.For example, the Ford Explorer is priced from $35,135, the Toyota Highlander starts at $35,535, the Chevrolet Traverse starts at $35,595, the Mazda CX-9 starts at $34,030 and the Volkswagen Atlas starts at $34, 875. Prices include shipping and awd.Pricing for Subaru's last three-row crossover, the Tribeca, started at $34,920, including shipping, for the 2014 model year, the nameplate's last. The Tribeca was offered only in the Limited trim for the last two model years. The Ascent's starting price will not be the highest in the brand's U.S. lineup. That distinction goes to the WRX STI Type RA, a limited-run performance vehicle that starts at $49,855, including shipping. But the Ascent will become Subaru's highest-priced crossover or wagon.

Subaru prices 3-row Ascent from $32,970

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