Meet The 2022 Subaru Forester - Complete Details And Image Gallery Are Here

Subaru Corporation just released information on the new flagship 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUV Japan-spec model. The 2022 Subaru Forester is in the fourth year of its life cycle when it gets a refresh or "big minor change," as Subaru calls it. It's been refreshed with a new front fascia outside (headlights, bumper, hexagon grille), a new instrument cluster, and new fabric changes inside.

Similar changes are coming to the newly-refreshed 2022 Forester for U.S. customers. The 2022 Forester also gets newly designed aluminum wheels. In addition, Subaru Corporation says for the 2022 model change, Forester gets an improved suspension for all trim levels improving driving performance.

The 2022 Forester also comes with the new-generation Subaru EyeSight safety technology that includes stereo cameras with a wider angle (extended visibility) and improved software for an increased view of the road in front and behind the compact SUV.

Subaru says, "The operating range of the next-generation EyeSight that supports collision avoidance has expanded, supporting safe driving in more situations than ever before at intersections. In addition, the texture of the follow-up driving assist is much smoother and more secure, further reducing the burden of long driving."

Inside, the image shows the newly-refreshed Forester with leather seats ( brown Nappa leather) and silver stitching. Forester will also get the StarTex waterproof polyurethane seats with orange stitching for the Sport trim. In addition, some trim levels will offer ultra suede leather with silver stitching.

For Japan-specification models, the adaptive shift control "e-active shift control" will be expanded to all grades equipped with e-Boxer hybrid models sold in Japan, Europe, and Australia. However, customers in the U.S. will not see the e-Boxer hybrid trim. Instead, Subaru will introduce a new U.S.-spec Forester hybrid with Toyota technology likely coming in 2023.

Subaru announced the Japan spec 2022 Forester would get the newly-developed 1.8-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine and e-Boxer with the 2.0-liter direct-injection engine coupled with an electric motor. On the other hand, Subaru of America will likely keep Forester's 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated Boxer engine for its power.

Subaru has expanded the exterior color options with a new Cascade Green Silica, Autumn green metallic, and Brilliant bronze metallic.

U.S.-spec 2022 Forester models will get the Wilderness upgrade

Subaru of America will introduce the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness sub-brand model this year, confirmed by Subaru of New England. The new model will be for North American customers and get the same upgrades as the 2022 Outback Wilderness.

The rugged 2022 Forester Wilderness will get larger wheels, all-terrain tires, additional ground clearance (9.5-inches), protective underbody skid plates, aggressive exterior cladding, and a durable StarTex interior. The Forester Wilderness is expected to arrive at Subaru showrooms in November of 2021.

It's unsure if Forester Wilderness will be powered by the FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The additional power would make the new Forester Wilderness a more capable off-road-ready vehicle.

When will the 2022 Subaru Forester arrive in U.S. showrooms?

The retailer launch for the 2022 Subaru Forester should have been this summer but has been pushed back to this fall, 2021, because of the plant closure in Gunma, Japan. As Subaru of America releases the 2022 Forester compact SUV changes, Torque News will publish the announced U.S.-specification upgrades.

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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