The Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-9 better watch out: Motor Image Pilipinas is bringing in the three-row Subaru Ascent. Two years after its global debut at the L.A. Auto Show, and the subsequent pronouncements from the Japanese automaker that it’s “for the North American market only” that followed, the largest Subaru ever made is finally making it to the Philippines.

This nugget of information was revealed by no less than Mr. Glenn Tan, the Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Ltd., the parent company of Motor Image. He says that he and Subaru Corporation are now in the final stages of homologating the Ascent for the Philippine market.


Also underpinned by the Subaru Global Platform (SGP), the Ascent has excellent body rigidity to suppress unwanted noise and vibration. Moreover, it promises to give it good handling at low speeds, and excellent stability at high speeds. Active Torque Vectoring also allows for better turning performance and hazard avoidance capabilities. And as with any other Subaru, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive comes as standard.

The Ascent is powered by Subaru’s new 2.4-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine making 260 horsepower and 377 Nm of torque. Mated to the engine is a High-torque Lineartronic CVT with paddle shifters. Together with a large 73-liter tank, Subaru promises a class-leading cruising range. In some trims, the maximum towing capacity is at 2,267 kilograms (5,000 pounds)—the highest of any Subaru.


Given how Motor Image Pilipinas times its market launches, the earliest time frame for the Subaru Ascent’s arrival would be at the Manila International Auto Show in April.