Subaru Viziv-7 first look: Subaru’s large SUV is coming to dominate the U.S.

The Subaru is already a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts, and its new large SUV could boost the automaker’s presence in the U.S. even more.

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, the Subaru Viziv-7 (ugh, weird name) is a large SUV that rivals the size of VW’s Atlas, another large SUV aimed at families. At 204.7 inches long, 79.9 inches wide, and 72 inches tall, it’s a hulking vehicle, one that will be rumbling down trails in no time.

That seven in the name, as you may have guessed, indicates the Viziv-7 will contain a third row, enabled larger families to pack in without feeling too confined. In person, the Viziv-7 was a beast, and a handsome one at that.

“The concept expresses our core brand values, safety, dependability, capability for outdoor activities and a forward looking attitude,” said Takeshi Tachimori, corporate executive vice president, Fuji Heavy Industries, LTD. “We know customers in this segment want a full-sized vehicle and the next 3-row from Subaru will be the biggest Subaru vehicle ever.”

We have more questions than answers

Subaru’s latest features a familiar design language, which is traditionally pretty conservative. What the Viziv-7 does is provide the automaker with a platform to spin-off into other categories. Perhaps something a smaller five-seater in the future?

Subaru didn’t unveil much about the Viziv-7, only to say that it’s huge and will fit a lot of people. For fans of the brand, that’s pretty much all they need to say.