Casual off-road enthusiasts may be enticed by its upgraded suspension and drivetrain
Subaru has introduced the 2022 Forester range for the North American market, with sales set to kick off in October. Modest nip and tuck and enhanced EyeSight Driver Assist Technology aside, the refreshed fifth-generation model also sees the addition of a robust, off-road-ready variant called the Wilderness.
Dubbed “the most rugged and trail-capable Forester ever”, the Forester Wilderness follows in the footstep of the Outback Wilderness in having its height ride increased to enhance its go-anywhere capabilities. In the Forester’s case, longer coil springs and shock absorbers lift its body by half an inch, resulting in 9.2 inches of ground clearance.
As a result, the approach, departure and breakover angles have also improved dramatically. Complementing the extra height are Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tyres that wrap matte-black 17-inch alloy wheels. There’s a full-size spare tyre stored underneath the cargo area, so you know you’re in good hands when things take an unexpected turn.
That’s not all. The X-Mode on this variant comes with settings for snow, dirt, deep snow and mud that allow additional wheel slip to get out of sticky situations. Finally, for good measure, Subaru has also thrown in a ladder-type roof rack in Anodized Copper that can support cargo weighing up to 100 kg on the move and 363 kg when parked.
Visually, the Forester Wilderness sets itself apart from the rest of the range with its black honeycomb grille, more pronounced wheel arch cladding, front skid plate, hexagonal LED fog lights and an anti-glare hood decal finished in matte black.
Inside, the car is protected from mud and water thanks to the water resistant StarTex upholstery. For an additional $1,850, customers can get an option package comprising an 8.0-inch Subaru Starlink multimedia navigation system, Harman Kardon sound system and a power tailgate.
As with other Foresters, power is provided by a 2.5-litre boxer engine that makes 182 hp and 239 Nm of torque. That being said, the drivetrain on the Wilderness features revised ratios for improved low-speed climbing.
PRESS RELEASE
Building on the extensive feature content in the Premium trim, the new Forester Wilderness uniquely adds a slew of exclusive mechanical, design, and functional enhancements for added capability on the roads and trails less traveled. Critically, the rugged new model preserves the Forester’s renowned blend of SUV capability and car-like ride and handling. The Forester Wilderness has a starting price of $32,820.
Exclusive chassis suspension components give the 2022 Forester Wilderness 9.2-inch ground clearance, a half-inch increase over the other Forester models, which already had among the highest in their segment. Longer coil springs and shock absorbers provide the added road clearance, while special tuning helps maintain the Forester’s exceptional ride and handling performance with the increased height.
The Forester Wilderness comes equipped with Yokohama GEOLANDAR® all-terrain tires for increased traction on muddy or gravel roads. Mounted on exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels in matte black finish, the tires are embossed with raised white letters. A standard full-size tire is stored under the cargo the area, giving owners confidence while on the trails.
To visually communicate the more capable off-road performance, the Forester Wilderness adds exclusive styling with all-new front fascia with bold hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, front skid plate, unique hexagonal LED fog lights and an anti-glare hood decal in matte-black finish.
Numerous exterior and interior details, including water resistant StarTex® seating surfaces, make the Forester Wilderness especially suited to carrying outdoors gear, even when wet or muddy. The ladder-type roof rack has a dynamic load capacity to 220 lb., and can support up to 800 lb. when parked, a capacity increase that allows for larger roof tents.
A single option package is available for the 2022 Wilderness that includes SUBARU STARLINK® 8.0-inch Multimedia Navigation system, Harman Kardon® premium sound system, and a Power Rear Gate. The option package has a MSRP of $1,850.
