The 2022 Subaru Forester has just been spotted in the wild. See what we know about the new model coming next spring. Will an all-new Forester Wilderness trim get a new turbo engine?
The 2021 Subaru Forester offers value for SUV shoppers now, and it gets better for the 2022 model year change coming next spring. We don't have permission to use the new Forester's recent spy photos, but you can see them here. Forester won't get a complete remodel, but it gets a refresh in the fourth year of its lifecycle.
The 2022 Forester will get new front restyling with minor upgrades to the bumper and side moldings. The spy photos could be the all-new Forester Wilderness model Torque News reported on last month. The 2020 Forester should begin production next spring with a dealer launch next summer. Will this model get a new turbocharged engine?
Here's what we know about the 2022 Subaru Forester
Subaru will give the compact SUV a "refresh" with some exterior and interior modifications to upgrade its appearance, but the significant changes will come underneath its sheet metal.
The 2022 Forester will likely get the new-generation EyeSight X driver assist safety system. It offers 360-degree sensing by combining the front and rear radars. The new EyeSight X uses 3D high-precision map data with road information for each lane.
The 2022 Subaru Forester could also come with the Japan-spec Levorg's new Drive Mode Select with five selectable driving modes. Subaru says you can change the vehicle's character by choosing Comfort, Sport, Individual, Normal, and Sport+ Modes. The Individual Mode allows customization for up to five drivers that automatically recognizes the custom driving style for each user.
Subaru engineers also redesigned the Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission to provide smoother acceleration throughout the power curve. They expanded the gear range to achieve stronger acceleration and work in concert with the 7-speed manual mode in the Forester Sport, Limited, and Touring trim levels.
Will the 2022 Forester come with a turbocharged engine?
Subaru is upgrading all its models with fuel-efficient direct-injection turbocharged (DIT) Boxer engines. The Outback, Legacy, and Ascent have the new DIT powerplant, and the Forester is likely the next model to get one. The new engine will be more efficient than the current naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine.
The Japan-spec Forester just received a new 1.8-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, but it's likely for the Japanese market. It's our guess, Subaru of America knows customers in the U.S. want more power than the 1.8-liter engine's 175 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The Forester's 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Boxer engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.
The Outback, Ascent, and Legacy's 2.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged Boxer engine produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque and would satisfy the American thirst for power. Subaru could bring back the Forester XT offering a 2.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine.
We are speculating; the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness trim would be the model to get the new turbocharged engine upgrade. The 2020 Forester will begin production next spring with a dealer launch next summer. Stay tuned.
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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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FYI, you can determine from
FYI, you can determine from the spy shots that it does in fact have Eyesight X. If you look at the top of the windshield the Eyesight pattern matches that of the 2021 Levorg. Also the squares on the sides suggest that is where the 360 sensors are.
The automotive press wants a
The automotive press wants a honking big, gas-hogging engine in the Forester. I don't think most Subaru customers do. They might like more aggressive cooling on the transmission so that it gains the same towing capacity as the similarly-equipped Outback. But that's about the sum of it. It seems to me like the 1.8 turbo would actually be a pretty good fit as the standard basic choice, even in the US market.
Agree 100%. . I don't think
Agree 100%. . I don't think Subaru should do like Ford and just offer the best off road specs on the largest engine which hurts fuel economy. The increased torque of the 1.8L should handle larger tires and increased ground clearance just fine, and hopefully increased towing.
Too bad it'll blow a head
Too bad it'll blow a head gasket by the time it leaves the driveway. Never again Subaru, ever
...and look for Crosstrek
...and look for Crosstrek-like wheel arch moldings with minor headlight and fog light styling changes.
If Subaru will bring port
If Subaru will bring port injection back for reduced carbon build up, and quiet idle, improve reliability. Lose the CVT chain or belt transmission they are slow to shift, and inefficient , in the dead of winter , when it comes to fuel economy compared to their 4 speed Automatic. Only the BRZ has what I want, but no AWD. BRZ has both port and direct fuel injection as is using Toyota's D4-S system. I have both the a Toyota and Subaru with the current tech, Toyota's warmup is way faster, quieter, ... and the 8 speed Auto is a dream to drive
Do you mean the 2022 Forester
Do you mean the 2022 Forester will begin production in the spring? I like the article.
just bring back z true manual
just bring back z true manual trans. true subi lovers want manual option. whats so hard to understand about that...