WHAT WE'RE DRIVING

When the Tribeca, Subaru's first shot (2009) at a three-row SUV, didn't quite deliver the goods in this brutally competitive segment and went away in 2014, Fuji Heavy planners went right to work on the replacement-the all-new Ascent. It's more aesthetically pleasing, boasts a lighter and stiffer global architecture (long-wheelbase version of the latest Impreza sedan) and is better-designed and -equipped inside.

The Ascent Premium is the first price-walk up from the base car. The one I tested stickered at $39,430, outfitted with a moonroof and comprehensive ‘Starlink’ navi-tainment suite worth $4,200. Standard Ascent propulsion comes from Subaru's 2.4-L flat-four gasoline engine, turbocharged to deliver 260 hp (194 kW). It's coupled with Fuji's own TR690 CVT and torque-vectoring AWD, all capable of pulling a 5,000-lb (2268-kg) trailer. While I did not tow during my time with the Ascent, under normal loads and hard acceleration the ‘boxer’ engine and CVT can be comparatively noisy and transmit excessive harshness through the pedals and wheel.