Subaru Australia is actively exploring the possibility of adding a seven-seater SUV to its lineup, potentially filling a gap left by the discontinued Tribeca over a decade ago. The company’s general manager, Scott Lawrence, confirmed that a larger, three-row vehicle is “high on the agenda” in discussions with Subaru Corporation.
The Case for a Larger SUV
The Australian SUV market is fiercely competitive, with the large SUV segment experiencing a 9.4% growth in 2025, reaching over 164,000 deliveries. This expansion demonstrates clear consumer demand for family-sized vehicles with seven or more seats.
Currently, Subaru lags behind major competitors like Ford (Everest) and Toyota (LandCruiser Prado), which dominate this space with models offering three rows of seating.
The Ascent: A Likely Candidate
The most probable candidate for a re-entry into the seven-seater market is the Subaru Ascent, currently sold in North America as the Evoltis in some smaller international markets. This model, first previewed in 2016, debuted as a replacement for the Tribeca in 2018.
The Ascent is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine—the same found in the WRX and Outback—and offers up to eight seats.
Why This Matters
Subaru’s absence from the seven-seater segment has likely contributed to its decline in Australian sales rankings. The last time Subaru offered a seven-seater (the Tribeca and Liberty Exiga), sales were relatively weak compared to competitors.
Reintroducing a competitive seven-seater could revitalize Subaru’s position in the Australian market, especially given the growing demand for larger family vehicles.
Future Prospects
Subaru’s Lafayette factory in Indiana exclusively produces the Ascent, and the model recently received a facelift in 2023. A new generation of the Ascent may be under development, which would be crucial for a potential right-hand drive release.
Australia is likely to be a high-priority market if such a vehicle becomes available, given that the UK and Japan may not prioritize larger SUVs.
Given the current market trends and Subaru’s internal discussions, the reintroduction of a seven-seater SUV to Australia appears increasingly probable, offering a much-needed option for families and potentially boosting the brand’s sales performance.
