Subaru’s Forester gets updates, new Wilderness model for 2022

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

New for 2022 is the Subaru Forester Wilderness edition, with a more-rugged exterior appearance and higher ground clearance.

There is room for up to five people in the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness model.

2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness-

Now in its fifth generation, the popular Subaru Forester returned for 2022 with updated exterior elements, improved technology, and a special new "Wilderness" edition.Subaru says the Forester is the latest of its SUV models to join the "adventure-ready Wilderness family."Designed with a rugged exterior appearance that suggests increased off-road prowess, the Forester Wilderness model ($32,820 plus $1,125 freight) combines Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with a specially configured drivetrain, standard X-Mode, 9.2-inch ground clearance, and exclusive wheels with all-terrain tires.The Wilderness package also brings special interior features.With the Wilderness treatment, this is the most-rugged and trail-capable Forester ever, the automaker says.The changes for 2022 aren't confined to the Wilderness model, however. With prices starting at $25,195 plus freight for the base Forester, all models come with a bolder exterior appearance, along with new safety and convenience features.There are six trim levels in all for 2022. After the base model comes the Premium ($28,195), Sport ($29,765), Limited ($31,875), Wilderness, and Touring ($36,420)..Specific new features include a redesigned front fascia, grille, headlights and fog light covers, with each element varying to match the particular trim level.The roof rails have also been redesigned to make them stronger and more functional. The roof rails are an important element on the Forester, as many owners use them to haul camping, water sports, and other outdoors-oriented gear, including kayaks.Using a new ladder-type design, the improved rail system offers a higher load capacity -- 220 pounds vs. 176 pounds before -- and an 800-pound static load limit, up from 700. This allows for "safe use of a roof-top tent," Subaru says.Inside, there are two additional utility hooks in the ceiling of the rear cargo area, and a brighter LED interior dome lamp with off-delay is now standard. Also standard is the latest version of Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology. The changes were designed to improve overall performance and allow the system to operate under a broader range of conditions – made possible by a wider field of view and improved control software, Subaru says. This system includes Adaptive Cruise Control; Pre-Collision Braking; Pre-Collision Throttle Management; Lane Departure and Sway Warning; and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.For the Premium model with option package and all higher trim levels, EyeSight now includes Automatic Emergency Steering, which works in conjunction with the Pre-Collision Braking System to help avoid collisions at speeds less than 50 mph.Continuing from last year's models, all Foresters come with seven air bags: driver and front passenger frontal, side-curtain, and side pelvis/torso air bags, as well as a driver's knee bag.Forester's standard safety features have earned it the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick-Plus rating for the past three years.

Under the hood of all Forester models is a horizontally opposed 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer four-cylinder engine, paired with a Lineartronic continuously variable automatic transmission.This direct-injection engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 foot-pounds of torque. Maximum trailer-towing capacity is 3,000 pounds, and Trailer Stability Assist is standard.EPA ratings for our Forester Wilderness test vehicle were 25 mpg city/28 highway/26 combined.As usual with Subaru SUVs, the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard across the board.Other standard features of the Forester line include power windows, door locks, and side mirrors; dual USB ports in the front center console; multi-function display; remote keyless entry; and a combination meter with color LCD.Base models come with the Subaru Starlink 6.5-inch Multimedia Plus system with high-resolution touch screen, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity, as well as satellite radio and a CD player. Also available for 2022 is an option package for the Base model that adds 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels in silver finish, plus roof rails with convenient tie-down points, for $625.Forester Premium models and above get the All-Weather Package, which brings heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer.The Premium model also adds a 10-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support; 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels in black with machine finish; roof rails; dark tint privacy glass; and a panoramic power moonroof.For improved off-pavement performance, Premium and higher trims, including the Wilderness, come with standard X-Mode with Hill Descent Control.The Premium interior gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel with silver stitching, center dash panel trim in black with silver metallic finish, and chrome inner door handles.A Premium option package ($1,165) for the Premium includes Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and a power-operated rear gate with automatic close and height memory. The package also adds the Automatic Emergency Steering function to the EyeSight system.Building on the features of the Premium trim, the Wilderness model gets the half-inch higher ground clearance over the other Forester models, along with longer coil springs and shock absorbers. Other Wilderness upgrades include the Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires for increased traction on muddy or gravel roads, mounted on exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels in matte black finish. A full-size spare tire – a necessity for backwoods operation -- is stored under the cargo the area.Outside, the Wilderness model has a unique front fascia with 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.Inside, there are water-resistant StarTex seating surfaces, which are resistant to damage from wet or muddy feet or gear.Our test model came with the only option package for the 2022 Wilderness model. It included the Subaru Starlink eight-inch multimedia navigation system, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and a power rear gate, all for $1,850.The award-winning system includes Adaptive Cruise Control; Pre-Collision Braking; Pre-Collision Throttle Management; Lane Departure and Sway Warning; and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.There is room for five inside, and the cargo area has 28.9 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seat (26.9 with a moon roof), and 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seatback folded (69.1 with moon roof).Front seats are comfortable, as are the outside rear seating positions. The rear middle position is OK for a smaller person or child seat.With the Forester's relatively light weight, 3,620 pounds for the Wilderness model, the four-cylinder engine provided ample power for our daily needs.We did not do any serious off-road trail driving, but did give the Wilderness model a good workout on some well-maintained, unpaved state park and national forest roads.The Wilderness Option Package was the only extra on our 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness test vehicle. Total sticker price, including freight and the package, was $35,795.The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at [email protected]. His driving partner Emma Jayne Williams contributed to this report.

2022 Subaru Forester

The package: Five-door, five-passenger, all-wheel-drive, horizontally opposed four-cylinder, gasoline-powered compact crossover utility vehicle.Advantages: Subaru's Forester got some updates for 2022, along with a new, rugged Wilderness edition. This is Subaru's best-selling vehicle, which comes in a popular compact size with standard all-wheel drive for all-weather driving.Negatives: Middle seat in the rear is a bit tight for adults.Engines: 2.5-liter horizontally opposed (boxer) four-cylinder gasoline-powered.Transmission: Continuously variable automatic with standard all-wheel drive.Power/torque: 182 HP./176 foot-pounds.Length: 182.7 inches.Curb weight range: 3,454-3,620 pounds.Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; side-curtain for all rows.Electronic stability control: Standard.Cargo volume: 28.9 cubic feet (behind second row, no moon roof; 26.9 with moon roof); 74.2 cubic feet (second row folded, no moon roof; 69.1 with moon roof).Fuel capacity/type: 16.6 gallons/unleaded regular. EPA fuel economy: 26 mpg city/33 highway/29 combined (all except Wilderness model); 25/28/26 (Wilderness). Major competitors: Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5.Base price range: $25,195-$35,295, plus $1,125 freight.Price as tested: $35,795, including freight and option (2022 Wilderness model).On the Road rating: 8.5 (of a possible 10).Prices shown are manufacturer's suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.