The Subaru Forester Wilderness makes its debut for the 2022 model year, as a rough-and-ready version of Subaru’s compact SUV, one that is more tuned to tackle the trails while wearing a unique kit.

While many modern SUV buyers do no more intensive off-roading than driving over leaves in autumn, the Wilderness showcases Subaru’s commitment to those who still need or want to tame the, well, wilderness. So it’s a good time to be in the market for an off-road-tuned SUV or truck, but how does the Forester Wilderness stack up? Let's find out.

What sets Subaru Wilderness Models Apart

The standard Subaru Forester is viable for those who still venture off the beaten path, but the Wilderness provides a long list of amenities to improve its capabilities. You get an extra half-inch of ground clearance over the regular Forester, a notable 9.2 inches in total.

It rides on Yokohama Geolander 17-inch all-terrain tires with exclusive wheels and a re-calibrated suspension and is also the only Forester to come standard with a full-size spare tire, a welcome feature for the enthusiastic outlander. The approach angle is 23.5 degrees, a full 3.5 degrees over the standard model, with enhancements to departure and break-over angles.

Subaru ensures the Wilderness stands apart from other trim levels. It features model-specific badging across the exterior and the cabin, including logos in the digital information display in the gauge cluster, on the all-weather floormats, and on headrests. A unique color combination, Geyser Blue with yellow-gold accents throughout, adds a bit of flair to the styling.

Other exterior features include the Forester’s updated front fascia with a hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, a front skid plate, and hexagonal LED fog lights. The cabin also features easier-to-clean StarTex synthetic leather seating surfaces with a honeycomb pattern.

Subaru’s engineers have also fiddled with the standard ladder-type roof rails. The automaker says the Wilderness offers a higher dynamic load capacity that can handle up to 220 pounds and an 800-pound static load limit capable of taking on a roof-top tent.

Powertrain

Despite its upgrades, the Wilderness is still motivated by the same 2.5-liter Boxer engine that propels all other Foresters. The engine on the Forester Winderness offers 182 horsepower and 176 foot-pounds of torque and pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. On the road, the CVT is smooth but exacerbates the underpowered feel of the engine in certain driving situations with its reluctance to “gear” up or down.

The flat-four engine is adequate for the daily commute or grocery run, but it’s far from thrilling. The powerplant often feels strained, even under mild acceleration, and full-bore hustle is mediocre. On the highway, it’s even less impressive and feels underpowered when attempting to pass. That is the case for many compact SUVs, but a shot of added power would certainly do the Forester well on the trail or road.

Re-tuning of the CVT does help in that regard. Subaru has adjusted the Wilderness’ eight simulated ratios to allow for shorter gearing. Standard Hill Descent Control will kick on and automatically engage braking down steep descents. The selectable X-Mode driving setups can adjust the CVT on-the-fly with snow/dirt and deep snow/mud settings.

The Wilderness offers up to 3,000 pounds of towing capacity, double that of other models. While I did not haul anything other than groceries and people, the Wilderness’ 176 pound-feet of torque and already underwhelming performance brings into question its ability to move a trailer with anything resembling gusto.

2022 Subaru Forester Powertrain

Off-Road Prowess with Wilderness

My time with the Wilderness in its home territory was unfortunately limited to a run on a slightly craggy trail, but the Forester was no more hassled by the moderate obstacles than a chef stirring a clear broth. With its truck-like ground clearance and all-wheel drive, the Forester simply drove over obstacles that would greatly hinder its compact SUV counterparts.

My overall week with Wilderness was dry, erasing hopes of a muddy run, and still being summer in Georgia, there was a snowball’s chance in hell of snow. But given the Wilderness’ prowess in handling my off-road jaunt, there seems to be no denying its chops.

On-Road Driving Dynamics

The Wilderness isn’t a complete off-road tool as it retains the agility and on-road comfort of its stablemates. Despite a higher ride and a tuned suspension, the ride is mostly comfortable and body lean is minimal in corners.

The steering feel isn’t generous, but neither is it lifeless, and the brake pedal is easy to modulate. All-terrain tires obviously lessen grip levels, but the Forester’s agility is still adequate for everyday needs.

Fuel economy

The goodies for the off-road enthusiast do require some added trips to the pump as the Wilderness offers 26-combined mpg, three fewer than all other Forester models. But with all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires and, let’s face it, a not very aerodynamic shape, its rating is still respectable.

2022 Subaru Forester MPG figures

Interior

The Wilderness features plenty of amenities that will please drivers either on or off the tarmac. Its synthetic leather seats are water-resistant, and heavy-duty floor mats will keep the muck minimalized. There are also plenty of physical knobs and switches, and outward visibility is excellent.

The Subaru Starlink infotainment system is intuitive and operates through a 6.5-inch touchscreen with crisp displays. Driving information shows up n a screen atop the dash and in the gauge cluster.

An 8.0-inch infotainment screen is available in an options package for the Wilderness that also adds a Harman Kardon sound system, navigation, and power rear liftgate for $1,850. With the Forester's Premium trim as a base, the Wilderness includes the same features, notably - heated front seats, a 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat, and a moonroof.

Passenger Space and Cargo

Seating space is generous for both front and rear passengers with plenty of leg and headroom in both rows. The Forester offers a sizeable 28.9-cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats, beating out most of its competition.

2022 Subaru Forester Interior Dimensions

Subaru Forester Wilderness vs Competition

The Wilderness stands in limited company. Despite marketing efforts to showcase its ruggedness, the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT is still only a Santa Fe with an appearance package. The Toyota Rav4 TRD Off Road is a bit closer to the mark with a tuned suspension and knobby all-terrain tires, but it still can’t stand toe-to-toe with the Wilderness when the tarmac disappears.

The Wilderness more closely competes with the likes of the Ford Bronco Sport in Outerbanks trim and Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, but those interested could also consider the larger Subaru Outback, which is now also available in Wilderness guise.

Pricing

With destination, the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness starts at $33,945, slightly less than some of its off-road rivals. For its capabilities and creature comforts, the Wilderness presents great value. So while a four-door Bronco rings in at several thousand more and is less well-equipped, the Cherokee Trailhawk nearly crests the $40,000 mark and the Rav4 TRD Off Road starts at just over $37,000.

2022 Subaru Forester Pricing

Overall

So to sum it up, the Forester Wilderness isn’t a grocery hauler wearing hiking boots, it is a genuine tamer of the tarmac-less tracks. It is also not so focused on the off-road capability to be like the guy who - on your local hiking trail, breaks out a bevy of gear to walk a trail that wouldn’t flummox a five-year-old.

It walks the line well, content to either drop the kids off at soccer practice or drop them off in the middle of the forest so they can earn their Somehow-Didn’t-Get-Eaten-By-a-Bear badge.

The Wilderness has its pitfalls — an underwhelming powertrain and utilitarian appearance — but it is otherwise spacious, relatively comfortable, generously equipped, and certainly capable on any path. It is a good time to be in the market for an off-road-capable small SUV, and the Wilderness is an appealing entry to the fray.

FAQ

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