Consumer Guide Says New Subaru Forester And Outback Are The Best Buys

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The 2022 Subaru Forester and Outback just picked up Best Buy awards. Get the complete details on each model here.

What are the best buys in the popular compact SUV and mid-size SUV categories? According to Consumer Guide, the 2022 Subaru Forester and 2022 Outback are the best in their respective segments again. CG tested more than 150 new vehicles to find the top models in each class to help consumers determine the best model to fit their needs.

Best Buy: Subaru Forester Compact Crossover SUV category

The 2022 Subaru Forester is selected best compact SUV because it "stands out as one of the most practical, spacious, versatile, off-road-capable, and easy-to-see-out-of vehicles in its class." CG singles out the new Forester Sport trim as its highest pick for consumers.


photo credit: 2022 Forester Sport - Competition Subaru

CG says the Subaru Forester offers a broad model lineup that spans from basic to posh, and it boasts an especially impressive roster of available safety and technology features. They say, "The airy, spacious cabin and extra-wide rear cargo opening are key advantages as well."

What's new for the 2022 Subaru Forester?

All 2022 Foresters get a refresh with new front-end styling. CG says, “The roof-rail system is now a ladder-type design with increased load capacity, and Automatic Emergency Steering is a newly available feature. The new Forester Wilderness model gets unique trim and off-road-adventure-focused features such as a raised ride height, all-terrain tires, a front skid plate, and larger wheel-arch cladding.”

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Forester?

The refreshed 2022 Forester comes in six trim levels; The base Forester starts at $26,320, Premium ($29,320), Sport ($30,890), Limited ($33,000), new Wilderness ($33,945), and Touring ($36,420). Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,125).


photo credit: Subaru of San Bernardino

Best Buy: Subaru Outback Midsize Car/SUV category

The 2022 Subaru Outback is selected best because it offers the "best of both worlds" appeal, and it’s got better off-road capability than a traditional car and more car-like handling than the typical taller crossover. CG says, "What's more, it's solidly built and offers an excellent range of comfort and safety features."

CG says the Outback offers an ideal blend of passenger-and-cargo versatility, on-road refinement, all-terrain capability, luxury appointments, and wraps it all up in a rugged, adventurous-looking package that boasts a generous list of safety and convenience features.

What's new for the 2022 Subaru Outback?

The 2022 Outback nameplate gains a Wilderness trim level with off-road-focused enhancements including a higher ride height, all-terrain tires, beefier matte-black body cladding, and a ladder-type roof rack, as well as unique trim touches. The other trim levels in the Outback lineup get a higher level of standard equipment.

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Outback?

The 2022 Outback comes in eight trim levels; the base trim is priced from $27,845, Premium ($30,270), Limited ($34,720), Touring ($38,620), Onyx Edition XT ($36,270), new for 2022, Outback Wilderness ($38,120), Limited XT ($39,120), and Touring XT ($41,070). Pricing includes $1,125 destination and delivery fees.

CG says, “The unique features of the new-for-2022 Wilderness model are aimed at enabling outdoor adventures a little further off the beaten path.”

Subaru Report’s Take

There are five reasons consumers should check out the 2022 Forester and 2022 Outback. Both SUVs come standard with the brand’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive, and you won’t pay extra for it, they offer X-Mode for additional all-weather performance, and dual-function X-Mode on some trims for added off-pavement performance, 8.7-inches of ground clearance, top safety scores, and they are affordable.

Is there a downside to the all-wheel-drive models?

Subaru is having a difficult time getting enough models to customers because of supply chain issues, and the demand is high. You could wait up to four months if you order a new Forester or Outback from a retailer.

Consumer Guide says the refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester and 2022 Subaru Outback are now the best buys for consumers in the compact SUV and mid-size car segments.

You Might Also Like: New Subaru Forester Wilderness Vs Outback Wilderness - There’s A Clear Winner

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