2022 Subaru Outback and Forester Wilderness Edition News

From owning a first generation Forester,  a Patriot,  and for several years using passenger sedans/hatchbacks for back country adventuring I think the three biggest handicaps I've encountered with light duty passenger vehicles have been a lack of torque at the wheels,  poor approach and departure angles and an absence of sufficient underbody protection.    

The total-minimum-running-ground-clearance specification has never been a particularly big deal for me because nearly any vehicle has between 7 and 9 inches in that spec,   the question really is where exactly that measurement is taken.    If it's at the bottom of a live axle differential that's completely different in the real world vs. an engine oil sump, muffler,  or important chassis components (or fuel or brake or coolant hoses... ) hanging down.      Tires have also never really been much of a deal-maker/deal-breaker because you can change those yourself at any time.

The real killer I've always had to struggle with is torque to the wheels.    Experienced travelers know the mantra "as slow as possible, as fast as necessary"  and if you're relying on your vehicle to remain reliable in the long term it's always better to have the option to go slower.   That means having a steep first gear ratio or crawl ratio in particular on any modern AWD/4WD vehicle that uses brake-operated traction control as a surrogate for locking or limited slip differentials because the operation of those traction control schemes reduces your torque at the driven wheel(s) by half.  With a manual you could slip the clutch on difficult spots,  with an auto you can do something similar and just cook the poor thing but neither of those is very nice.   The other option is to take a run at the difficult spots but that too is not very nice, that's how you puncture tires, dent wheels, damage the vehicle, etc. 

I haven't seen the full specs on these Wilderness models but I hope they've given it a better first gear ratio and some skidplates - that's going to take people the furthest in my opinion.

@shovel Great information, Shovel. I'm pretty sure the new model comes with skids but that is also something you can add aftermarket. I agree that the low first gear is essential. Subaru has the hill descent control for downhill. They should be thinking up as well.

@shovel I think you nailed it.  The approach and departure angles are an issue and I definitely agree about the first gear ratio on passenger vehicles.  I did go up two steep rockyish inclines last weekend no problem with the Outback in first gear and tires aired down, but the problem still remains that doing that for an extended time generates a lot of heat in the transmission and engine bay.  If my two cents went in to the Wilderness edition I would say upgrade the suspension, skid plates, AT tires, upgraded transmission cooler, engine bay heat control, and more sound deadening for the cabin.

So I have been monitoring this since last year when I first heard about it. I heard about it right after I got my 2020 Onyx XT Outback. The only way I’m going to trade mine in is if they include some mechanical drivetrain trickery that make it more capable. If it is just increased approach and or departure angles and a lift, I will most likely just get one of their bumpers and fit it to my 2020 Onyx. All depends on what they actually come out with. They should embrace it and go crazy, but it’s Subaru so I’m not holding my breath. 

@jeffrey-bowman Agree. If the Wilderness doesn't turn out to make my jaw drop then I may opt for a new Onyx.

@4x_admin Onyx is certainly a great package, now even better in 21 because they added SRH that were not previously offered at all. SRH and the HK audio are the only things I wish I had on my 20. I ordered mine in June of 2019 because I liked so many of their upgrades, from the Startex leather seats to the big screen and CarPlay, the headlights, the two mode XMODE, and of course the turbo 

I bet that turbo rocks!

It does! After having a 2013 3.6R, the 2.5 was just not an option. Even if I got a daily legacy, I’d still have to have the turbo lol. The low range is great! I was a little concerned with the turbo kicking in at the wrong time on the trails, but I haven’t had any problems thus far with that. It’s certainly exceeded my expectations of what it could and could not handle, so very excited to see it once I get the lift on and increase its capability. 

@jeffrey-bowman Be sure to post some photos of it lifted here on the vehicles feed. I am really interested in seeing the Wilderness with Turbo. Good luck with your build!!

@4x_admin I test drove an Onyx and that turbo is lovely!

@luke-moussa I actually haven't yet. I bet it is great. Now, my 3.6R is pretty peppy even with the oversized ATs. But, I bet off the line that Onyx is quick. Does it have lag in first gear or does it seem pretty smooth?

@4x_admin It’s got a little lag, and the throttle tuning takes some getting used to. But if you use the 50% throttle trick, thing will fly... especially for a outdoor wagon lol. 

The reveal is coming up on Monday, and already someone has gotten a hold of a 2022 Outback manual, which includes info on what they are doing. Put it this way..... the more I see , the more I am disappointed. EG: .8 lift. Different roof rails. An Xmode that works above 25 mph. Some decals. Slightly different bumpers. Man I’m hoping I’m missing something here because they have so much they could do to make it a formidable off-roader.