Leslie Massey
The Subaru Ascent is a large SUV that has been available in North America since 2018. It is built in Lafayette, Indiana, and is currently only available as a left-hand drive vehicle. This has been a hurdle for Subaru Australia, as Australia is a right-hand drive market. While there is demand for the Ascent in Australia, it is unclear if and when the vehicle will be made available there. Subaru Australia has expressed interest in offering the Ascent to Australian customers and is in ongoing discussions with Subaru HQ in Japan regarding the possibility of sourcing a right-hand drive version.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current availability in Australia | Not available in Australia |
| Reason for unavailability in Australia | Currently only built in left-hand drive in North America |
| Future availability in Australia | Not until next-generation |
| Number of seats | 6 or 7 |
| Engine | 2.4-litre turbo-petrol flat-four |
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What You'll Learn
Subaru Australia wants the Ascent
Australia is Subaru's second-largest export market in the world, and the company's local division is keen to get its hands on the Ascent for its next-generation. Subaru Australia Managing Director, Blair Read, has confirmed that while the Ascent being left-hand drive is a hurdle, discussions are ongoing with the factory about the possibility of offering a right-hand drive version in the future.
The Ascent is a popular SUV in the United States and competes with other large SUVs like the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9, and Hyundai Santa Fe. With sales of large SUVs increasing in Australia, Subaru sees the Ascent as a potential addition to its lineup, catering to buyers looking for larger vehicles as their families grow.
The Ascent shares a platform with the Outback and is available in both seven and eight-seat configurations, offering flexible seating options. It is engineered for quality and reliability, with advanced features and built for long-term durability, making it an attractive option for Australian families.
While Subaru Australia has expressed interest in bringing the Ascent to the country, it remains a work in progress. The company is committed to studying the US-made SUV for the Australian market and is optimistic about its potential.
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The Ascent is currently only left-hand drive
The Subaru Ascent is a large SUV that has been available in the US since 2018. It is built in Lafayette, Indiana, and is Subaru's largest SUV offering globally. It is available in six- or seven-seat configurations and is engineered for lasting quality and reliability.
The Ascent is currently only available in left-hand drive, which presents a significant hurdle for its release in right-hand-drive markets such as Australia, the UK, and Japan. The left-hand-drive configuration is specific to the North American market, where the Ascent has been well-received. Subaru Australia has expressed interest in bringing the Ascent to the Australian market, recognising the popularity of large SUVs in the country.
Blair Read, Subaru Australia's managing director, has confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the factory regarding the possibility of a right-hand-drive Ascent. While there is a precedent for the Australian division to source models from the Lafayette plant, the cost of tooling a factory to produce both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles is a challenge.
Subaru Australia is hopeful that the Ascent will eventually be offered in a right-hand-drive configuration, but it may be a wait until the Ascent's next major update. In the meantime, the brand is exploring hybrid options for its SUV range, with the 2025 Subaru Forester expected to feature a Toyota-sourced hybrid system.
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Subaru is studying the Ascent for the Australian market
Subaru Australia is actively considering bringing the Ascent SUV to the Australian market. The Ascent is Subaru's largest SUV offering globally and is available in seven and eight-seater options. It is built on the same platform as the Outback and Forester and shares the 2.4-litre turbo-petrol flat-four engine with the top-spec US Outback.
The primary challenge for introducing the Ascent to Australia is that it is currently only produced in left-hand drive at Subaru's Lafayette, Indiana manufacturing base in North America. Australia, being a predominantly right-hand drive market, presents a significant hurdle for the Ascent's introduction. However, Subaru Australia has expressed strong interest in the vehicle, acknowledging its potential for the Australian market.
Blair Read, Managing Director of Subaru Australia, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the factory regarding the Ascent. He noted that the Australian market has shifted towards larger SUVs, making the Ascent a potentially attractive offering for buyers seeking a more spacious option.
The Ascent's predecessor, the Tribeca, was also produced in right-hand drive at the Lafayette plant solely for Australian consumption, setting a precedent for the possibility of a right-hand drive Ascent. While no definitive plans have been announced, Subaru Australia is committed to investigating the Ascent's viability for the local market, recognising the potential sales and customer demand for a seven-seater SUV offering.
With Australia being Subaru's second-largest export market, the company is keenly aware of the Ascent's potential appeal to Australian consumers. The ongoing discussions and consideration of market trends indicate that Subaru is actively studying the Ascent for the Australian market, and it may only be a matter of time until a right-hand drive version becomes available.
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The Tribeca was the predecessor to the Ascent
The Subaru Tribeca was produced from 2005 to 2014, with its worldwide debut at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005. It was initially announced as the B9X at the South Florida Auto Show in November 2004, but was renamed the B9 Tribeca the following month. The Tribeca was built on the Subaru Legacy platform and sold in five- and seven-seat configurations. The vehicle was inspired by the B9X concept car, and its name was derived from the Tribeca neighbourhood of New York City.
The Tribeca was powered by a 3.0-liter EZ30 boxer engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. In 2006, the Tribeca was reworked for the 2007 model year, which included a revised grille, struts, stabilizer bars, and spring rates. The updated model was first shown at the Chicago Auto Show, and featured XM Satellite Radio and iPod connectors. A backup camera and parking assist system were offered as options for the navigation system.
The Tribeca was produced at the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana, the same location where the Ascent is currently produced. While the Tribeca was sold in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Chile, it was never offered in Japan. Despite being well-received in Australia, the Tribeca struggled in North America, with sales dipping below 10,000 annually before it was discontinued in 2013.
The Ascent is the successor to the Tribeca, and it addresses some of the challenges that the Tribeca faced. For example, the Ascent is built in both left-hand and right-hand drive configurations, whereas the Tribeca was only available in left-hand drive, which limited its marketability in right-hand drive markets like Australia. The Ascent also offers flexible seating options with three rows and seven or eight seats, compared to the Tribeca's maximum of seven seats. In terms of performance, the Ascent features a 2.4-liter turbo-petrol flat-four engine, while the Tribeca had a 3.0-liter or 3.6-liter engine.
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The Ascent is Subaru's largest SUV
The Subaru Ascent is a large SUV with flexible three-row seating for seven or eight passengers. It is Subaru's largest SUV ever, with more room than the Toyota Highlander and the Mazda CX-90. The Ascent is built on Subaru's new global platform, which also underpins the Outback and Forester, and exclusively uses a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol flat-four engine.
The 2025 Ascent continues Subaru's commitment to durability and reliability, with advanced safety features and premium comfort. It offers standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and the available DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System. The Ascent also provides up to 153.2 cubic feet of passenger space, making it an attractive option for families.
While the Ascent is currently only available in North America, there is significant interest in the vehicle in other markets, particularly Australia. Australia is Subaru's second-largest export market, and the Ascent would compete with popular large SUVs in the region, such as the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-9. Subaru Australia has expressed a strong desire to bring the Ascent to the country, acknowledging its potential in the market.
However, the primary hurdle for introducing the Ascent to Australia is that it is currently only produced in left-hand drive, specifically for the North American market. Subaru Australia has indicated that discussions are ongoing, and there is a possibility of sourcing a right-hand drive version in the future.
The Ascent's predecessor, the Tribeca, was also produced in right-hand drive at the Lafayette plant solely for Australian consumption. While the Tribeca was not a success in Australia, Subaru Australia believes that the market has shifted towards larger SUVs, making the Ascent a potentially attractive offering.
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Frequently asked questions
The Subaru Ascent is currently not available in Australia. The car is only built in left-hand drive, specifically for the North American market. However, Subaru Australia is in discussions with the factory about the possibility of sourcing a right-hand drive version in the future.
The Subaru Ascent is not available in Australia because it is only built in left-hand drive at Subaru's Lafayette, Indiana manufacturing base in North America. The primary reason is that it costs a lot of money to tool a factory to produce a car in both right-and left-hand drive, and these costs need to be returned through sales.
While there is no confirmation, it is possible that the Subaru Ascent may be available in Australia in the future. Subaru Australia has expressed interest in the Ascent for its next generation and is having ongoing discussions with Subaru HQ in Japan.
Australia is Subaru's second-largest export market in the world, yet it misses out on one of its most important SUV models - the three-row Ascent large SUV. Subaru Australia believes that there is a shift in the Australian market towards larger SUVs, and the Ascent would cater to this demand.
There is no confirmed date for the availability of the Subaru Ascent in Australia. Subaru Australia has stated that it is a "work-in-progress" and ongoing discussions are taking place. It may be a wait until the Ascent's next major update before it is released in Australia.
