The 2023 Subaru Ascent retains its title as the largest SUV in the Subaru fleet, stretching across three rows and offering seating for eight. For 2023, Subaru makes the three-row SUV even more enticing with a host of updates that range from a bolder design to advanced technology that ushers the model into the future. Subaru’s revolutionary EyeSight Driver Assist suite is at the forefront of this technology and adds exceptional value to the already well-equipped and capable SUV.
What exactly is EyeSight Driver Assist technology? How does it add value to the Ascent and the rest of the Subaru lineup? What makes it one of the leading systems in the industry? It’s time to discover why with a deep dive into Subaru’s unique technology that outfits models like the Ascent with a virtual spotter that constantly makes your safety a top priority.
Introducing Your Subaru Virtual Spotter
Subaru made waves in the automotive industry in 2013 with the debut of the stereo and camera-based driver-assist system known as EyeSight on the Legacy and Outback. Unlike similar options, Subaru’s EyeSight technology was one of the most affordable and advanced in the United States. While other automakers relied on a single camera system, Subaru’s dual cameras extended the system’s capability and field of view, giving drivers more time to respond in critical situations.
In simple terms, the first-generation system mimicked a driver’s eyes, relying on two cameras rather than one and extending visibility to the sides and rear of the vehicle. It’s akin to having normal 20/20 vision compared to covering one eye with a patch, limiting your field of view to only what your one working eye can see. Though simple, the principle was remarkable at the time and immediately distinguished Subaru as a pioneer in the segment.
By 2018, we saw the effects of Subaru EyeSight firsthand when the Highway Loss Data Institute reported a 41% reduction in pedestrian-related insurance claims, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported 85% fewer rear-end crashes. How was this possible? The credit goes to Subaru’s virtual spotter, which constantly watches the vehicle’s front, rear, and sides via tools like collision mitigation, pre-collision braking control, lane departure and sway warning, and adaptive cruise control.
How It Works: Making It Make Sense
The EyeSight System acts as a second set of eyes whose only job is to monitor traffic and the environment around your Subaru. By using two color cameras mounted at the top of the windshield, EyeSight immediately distinguishes itself from other bumper-mounted systems, which are typically damaged in collisions. The unique placement also optimizes visibility by moving the field of vision higher. So, how does this impact the system’s effectiveness?
Pre-Collision Braking
As the cameras monitor traffic and driving conditions, the system processes what it sees and identifies vehicles ahead that are slowing down or stopping. It also identifies pedestrians in the vehicle’s path. When it recognizes a car or pedestrian ahead, the system alerts you with visual and audible cues that give you ample time to respond and proactively avoid a collision.
Pre-Collision Throttle Management
What if you’re not in a position to respond to the alerts? Subaru’s EyeSight technology considers even extreme cases where you might not be conscious behind the wheel, or you’re distracted and fail to hear or see the alert. In these instances, the pre-collision throttle management system can reduce the engine’s power and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop to avoid a collision or minimize the force of impact.
Lane Keep Assist
Along with monitoring traffic and pedestrians ahead, EyeSight uses its dual cameras to keep an eye on where your vehicle is in its lane. Since it can detect lane markings, the technology will alert you when you veer or stray out of your lane. It’s like having a buffer zone or using the bumpers at the bowling alley, a safeguard to keeping your Subaru on the road.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Beyond prioritizing your safety, the EyeSight system also improves your experience in the driver’s seat with tools like adaptive cruise control. This feature builds on traditional cruise control but reduces the need to constantly set and reset your cruising speed to follow the flow of traffic. Instead, the cameras continuously monitor the traffic and can automatically adjust the Subaru’s cruising speed as needed.
Constantly Evolving
Fast forward ten years from its debut, and you’ll discover why Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology continues to impress. After a decade of dramatically impacting driver safety, the EyeSight system introduces its latest update on the 2023 Ascent. So, how could an award-winning and revolutionary system get any better?
Subaru widens the technology’s field of view by adding a Wide-Angle Mono Camera to the dual-camera system. EyeSight’s already exceptional view reaches a new level and is now capable of recognizing pedestrians and bicycles sooner at low speeds. The technology truly shines at intersections, giving drivers more time to respond when pedestrians or cyclists are in their path.
Along with this remarkable addition, EyeSight also introduces Automatic Emergency Steering that comes on every Ascent model equipped with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist. The evasive steering feature works with the Pre-Collision Braking System by enhancing your steering to help you avoid a collision when traveling at speeds less than 50 mph. These features and an all-new electric brake booster enhance your stopping power and actively minimize the risk of a crash anytime you’re behind the wheel.
The Proof Is in the Pudding
Since its introduction in 2013, Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology has dramatically impacted driver safety. We see this firsthand in hard data, like the 85% reduction in rear-end crashes reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. We also see it elsewhere, specifically in Subaru’s excellent crash-test ratings.
In 2022, EyeSight technology earned the Subaru lineup the highest safety ratings for front crash prevention by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Subaru’s 2018 lineup enjoyed similar results, with models like the 2018 Forester and Crosstrek named Top Safety Picks. These honors engineer confidence across the board, whether you’re shopping for a new 2023 Ascent or an older model like the 2017 Legacy.
What Does Safety Mean to You?
Subaru is renowned for its pioneering spirit, adopting the Boxer engine to make its entire lineup more capable and fun to drive. In addition, the standardization of its symmetrical all-wheel drive system further distinguishes the automaker, while innovative safety systems like EyeSight further showcase Subaru’s commitment to its customers. For Subaru, the goal is simple––to outfit every model with features and technology that enhance and improve the driving experience.
Today, Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is the perfect example of this approach. Subaru’s goal is to help drivers anticipate danger before it arrives by outfitting its lineup with a virtual spotter that prioritizes safety. The result is an award-winning safety system that’s drastically reduced all types of collisions. More importantly, it’s also proven Subaru’s pioneering spirit and commitment to constantly evolving its technology to meet the growing demands of drivers by introducing more advanced features that are smarter and work faster for near-instantaneous feedback.
With Subaru, it’s easy to take a proactive approach to your safety in the driver’s seat that extends beyond your seatbelt. In models like the 2023 Ascent, you know you have a virtual spotter on board that’s constantly got your back. For many Subaru drivers, knowing that makes all the difference.
