The 2022 model year marks the debut of Subaru’s Forester Wilderness, its most rugged and trail-capable vehicle ever.
The fifth-generation Forester is offered in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring, and my tester – Wilderness.
All Foresters come with redesigned and strengthened roof rails to increase functionality, new automatic emergency steering feature, a redesigned front fascia, along with numerous new safety and convenience features.
To visually communicate the more capable off-road performance, the Forester Wilderness adds an exclusive, 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.
My must admit to being a little biased, as our family as owned a Forester for four years.
Wilderness combines Subaru’s renowned symmetrical all-wheel drive with a specially revised drivetrain, standard X-MODE, elevated 9.2-inc ground clearance, and exclusive wheels with all-terrain tires. The model also offers unique functional exterior and interior appointments.
Powered by a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed, DOHC, four-cylinder engine mated to a Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission, the pair generates 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The Forester seats five adults with plenty of leg and elbow room, and returned in the low 30 miles per gallon fuel economy in combination of city and highway driving. The compact SUV also offers up to 3,000-lb. towing capacity and features standard Trailer Stability Assist.
Forester’s legendary versatility is improved for 2022 with a new ladder-type roof rail design. The improved rail system offers a higher dynamic load capacity (220 lb. vs. 176 lb.) and an 800-lb. static load limit (vs. 700 lb.), allowing safe use of a roof-top tent. Helpful tie-down locations have also been integrated into the rails.
Inside, two additional utility hooks have been added to the roof of the rear cargo area and a brighter LED interior dome lamp with off-delay is now standard. With the rear seats folded flat, the Forester accommodated six Les Schwab tire roll bags with room to spare.
The compact SUV also offers up to 3,000-lb. towing capacity and features standard Trailer Stability Assist.
Standard features include StarTrex water-resistant, heated seats, brushed aluminum pedals, rear vision camera, remote keyless entry with push-button start, security system, air conditioning, XM radio, electronic parking brake, oversized moonroof, and more.
The 2022 Forester also comes standard with the latest version of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The enhanced system improves overall performance and operates under a broader range of conditions thanks to a wider field of view and improved control software. For the Premium with option package, and all higher trim levels, EyeSight includes new Automatic Emergency Steering. The new feature works in conjunction with the Pre-Collision Braking System to assist with steering control to help avoid a collision at speeds less than 50 mph.
Other features include blind spot detection, lane change assist, reverse automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, security system with engine immobilizer, and cruise control.
As in prior model years, all Forester models include seven airbags: driver and front passenger frontal airbags, side curtain airbags and side pelvis/torso airbags, as well as a driver’s knee airbag. Forester has been named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety TOP SAFETY PICK+ for 3 years running (2019–2021).
Base Price: $34,165
Price As Driven: $34,165
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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