The 3 New Subaru Models You Want Most In 2022 But Won’t Get

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The new 2023 Subaru Solterra, refreshed Outback, next-generation Crosstrek, and 2023 WRX STI are coming, but there are three models you want but won't get in 2022. Check them out here.

2023 Subaru Baja Midsize Pickup

The rendering from @catchme_outback pictured here of a new 2023 Subaru Baja midsize pickup that Subaru fans want in their garage in 2022. A new 4-door midsize Subaru Baja pickup with a 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine would allow outdoor enthusiasts to tackle steep trails or tow a trailer. It's the missing vehicle in Subaru of America's all-wheel-drive lineup, and it would be a top-seller for the Camden, N.J. automaker.

A new report from Kelly Blue Book says millennials now buy more pickup trucks than any other generation. In 2021, according to J.D. Power, they were the largest buyers of midsize, full size, and heavy-duty pickups, and that will increase in 2022. The Midsize pickup truck segment is one of the fastest-growing, and Subaru is losing out if they don't offer one in the U.S. market.


photo credit: @catchme_outback

Subaru of America would be in a great position to cash in if they would go even further and build a new midsize Baja Wilderness truck to join the Forester Outback and soon-coming Crosstrek Wilderness trim levels. Subaru, are you listening?

2023 Subaru Solterra Wilderness EV

Speaking of Wilderness, Subaru fans are already asking for a new Solterra Wilderness EV trim. There are images of a more rugged Solterra from @txtrek, and it's a good rendering of what a Solterra could look like in Wilderness trim.


photo credit: @txtrek

Solterra already comes with Subaru's excellent Symmetrical all-wheel-drive and X-Mode with a new "Grip-Control" for additional all-weather performance. But Subaru needs to differentiate itself from its Toyota bZ4X EV twin and all the other new EVs.

The rugged SUV segment is growing with more SUVs coming from the Ford Explorer Timberline, GMC Acadia AT4, Honda Passport TrailSport, Kia Sportage X-Pro, and Mazda CX-50. But none are all-electric models.

To set the new 2023 Subaru Solterra apart from Toyota and other EVs, the new all-electric compact SUV will need additional upgrades for Subaru's active customers to go further off-road. Subaru outdoor enthusiasts would buy a Solterra Wilderness if Subaru of America built it.

2023 Subaru Forester 2.4XT Turbocharged compact SUV

Subaru enthusiasts have asked for a Forester turbocharged model since the Japanese automaker dropped the Forester 2.0XT in 2019. The U.S.-specification 2022 Forester and Forester Wilderness only come with a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated Boxer, and fans were disappointed they didn't upgrade the compact SUV with a turbocharged engine.

Subaru announced the refreshed 2022 Forester in Japan last year and now offers a Forester Sport trim with a 1.8-liter turbocharged Boxer engine. It's not coming to the U.S. market.

It would be easy for the Japanese automaker to drop in the new Outback-sourced FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that the 2022 Outback XT and Outback Wilderness have now, which would make a lot of North American customers happy. The sportier 2023 Subaru Forester Sport 2.4XT would be another hot model in Subaru of America's lineup if the Japanese automaker would build it.

Let us know if you would buy a 2023 Subaru Baja midsize pickup, 2023 Solterra Wilderness EV, or a 2023 Subaru Forester 2.4XT turbocharged Sport trim.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru

Submitted by Jay Pat (not verified) on January 2, 2022 - 3:29PM

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the only thing that will keep me in a subaru as of now is if I switch to the (far less practical for my lifestyle, but man that thing is gorgeous) BRZ. Although, I will say a new Baja would change that. Been watching the Santa Cruz like a hawk, & I expect Subaru has as well. Until then I'll hold onto my FXT

Submitted by Sam (not verified) on January 2, 2022 - 6:18PM

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Would strongly consider the Forester 2.4 XT. Forester already ticks 95% of our family boxes but the turbo version while still having a decent size capacity engine would make it close to perfect!!