Subaru of America, Inc. announced today that the 2019 Ascent and Forester earned spots on Parents 10 Best Family Cars of 2019 for meeting the needs of the modern family with emphasis on safety, convenience and value.
Parents, the most trusted brand and leading voice for millennial moms, evaluated 30 vehicles focusing on safety, comfort, convenience, features and value. The top 10 vehicles were organized into three categories: Best Minivans, Best 2-Row SUVs and Best 3-Row SUVs.
"Second to the home, the car is at the center of our parenting universe," said Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief of Parents. "Moms and dads need a vehicle that can handle their squad and haul all of their stuff. In developing this list, we wanted to evaluate what's important to families at a level that exceeds other car rankings. This meant understanding the fundamental features needed in a vehicle, while also keeping in-car entertainment, and of course, safety top of mind."
With safety as a top priority, all 2019 Ascent and Forester trim levels come standard with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology that includes Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure and Sway Warning. Both SUVs were named a 2019 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ (when equipped with available Steering Responsive Headlights) and achieved the highest possible rating of "Superior" for front crash prevention from IIHS with standard EyeSight. The family-focused SUVs are also equipped with five LATCH points in the second row for greater flexibility for child seat installation.
The 3-row Ascent and 2-row Forester offer high-resolution touchscreen multimedia systems with smartphone integration featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android ™ Auto and Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming. Available in-car Wi-Fi connectivity provides smooth internet access via high-speed LTE™ communications, broadening the range of entertainment options available to passengers using smart devices.
The all-new Ascent, with a 113.8-in. wheelbase, is the largest Subaru ever built and is the mobile headquarters for the entire family. With ample passenger and cargo volume, the Ascent provides room for every passenger and their gear.
The 3-row SUV is powered by an all-new turbocharged 2.4-liter BOXER engine that achieves outstanding performance and offers exemplary fuel economy with more than a 500-mile range on a single tank. All trim levels are paired with a high-torque Lineartronic CVT as well as X-Mode® with Hill Descent Control. This powertrain delivers up to 5,000-lb. towing capacity, the most of any Subaru in history. The Ascent has a starting price of $31,995.
The all-new Forester is equipped with standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Active Torque Vectoring and is powered by a new version of the 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine. Producing 182 hp, the 2.5-liter is paired with standard Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission, and not only yields quicker acceleration but also up to 33 mpg highway fuel economy.
The 2019 Forester boasts cargo space of 76.1 cu. ft. with the 60:40 split rear seatbacks lowered, a gain of 1.4 cu. ft from the previous generation. The load floor sits flatter, and the cargo area's squared-off shape has been further optimized for ease of carrying large objects. Notably, the maximum width for the rear gate opening is now 51.2 inches wide, a 5.3-inch increase over the previous generation and up to 8 inches wider than on some competitive SUVs.
Also available on Forester is the segment-exclusive DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System that uses a dedicated infrared camera and facial recognition technology to identify signs of driver fatigue or distraction, and the provides audio and visual warnings to alert the driver and passengers. The Forester has a starting price of $24,295.
"We are thrilled Ascent and Forester made Parents 2019 10 Best Family Cars," said Thomas J. Doll, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "This accolade underscores our commitment to providing customers with vehicles made to the highest standards of safety, versatility and value."
