This Is Subaru’s New Viziv-7 Mid-Size SUV Concept And It Rivals VW’s Atlas

With VW having already launched their new 7-Seat Atlas SUV In LA, it’s now Subaru’s turn to announce their intentions for the three-row, mid-size SUV segment.

Subaru haven’t had a player in this segment ever since they cancelled the Tribeca back in 2014, after an 8 year run. Now, we have our first glimpse at what should turn out to be a true successor to the Tribeca and it’s called the Viziv-7 concept, where Viziv stands for “Vision for Innovation”.

In terms of size, this concept could fool you into thinking it’s a full-size SUV since it’s longer than a Dodge Durango. However, its wheelbase is shorter, which means we’re technically looking at somewhat of a tweener – larger than your usual mid-size models, yet still dwarfed by something like an extended wheelbase Escalade.

Overall, it measures 204.7 inches (5.2 m) in length, 79.9 inches (2 m) in width and 72 inches (1.8 m) in height. Its wheelbase measures 117.7 inches (3 m), making the Viziv-7 some 15 inches (38 cm) longer than the current Outback. It’s also slightly longer, wider and taller than the VW Atlas, though their wheelbases are nearly identical.

In terms of looks, the Viziv-7 concept boasts an imposing front grille, aggressive headlights and massive fog lights which are actually integrated within the wheel arches instead of the front bumper. The rear, seen courtesy of Russian website Motor, seems a little more docile, and while we wouldn’t mind Subaru actually building a production car similar to the concept that served as a preview, we’re still expecting them to come up with a more subtle-looking final product.

According to Car&driver, the production version of this concept will go by ‘Ascent’, a moniker recently registered by Subaru with the US Patent & Trademark Office. The production car could arrive in the US sometime in early 2018, powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine – though an optional 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer unit shouldn’t be out of the question.

Stay tuned to our coverage of the 2016 LA Auto Show in order to learn more about this concept.

H/T to “V”!