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The New Subaru Wilderness Truck You Want In Your Garage Next Year

Check out a new rendering of a Subaru midsize pickup you want in your garage and why Subaru should build a new Wilderness truck.

The rendering from Subtle Solutions pictured above of a new Subaru midsize pickup is what performance and truck fans want in their garage. A new Subaru truck with a hood scoop would have an FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine producing close to 300 horsepower and extra torque for towing. We think 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.

Pickup trucks are hot sellers, and Subaru would be in a great position to cash in if they would go even further and build a new Wilderness truck to join the Outback and Forester Wilderness sub-brand. Hyundai introduced the all-new Santa Cruz Sport-Adventure Vehicle (SAV), and a Subaru Wilderness truck would raise the bar.

All-new 2023 Subaru Wilderness truck
photo credit: KDesign AG (Kleber Silva)

A midsize Subaru Ascent-based Wilderness pickup would likely succeed and fill a hole in the Japanese automaker’s all-wheel-drive lineup. The brand’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system would be a perfect fit for the new pickup and would likely be a big hit with truck buyers who want to go off-road.

The new Subaru Global Platform would allow the Japanese automaker to use the Ascent platform without significant changes. Engineers could easily cut off the back, make exterior design changes, and Subaru would have a good-looking 4-door all-wheel-drive truck for its U.S customers.

All-new 2023 Subaru Wilderness truck
photo credit: KDesign AG (Kleber Silva)

It would be manufactured alongside the 2022 Ascent 3-Row family hauler in Lafayette, Indiana, with its 2.4-liter direct-injection four-cylinder boxer engine for power. The new Wilderness truck would sit higher off the ground with at least 9.4-inches of ground clearance like the Outback Wilderness with an upgraded suspension.

The new truck would come in Base, Premium, Limited, Sport, and Wilderness trim levels. The Wilderness would feature black alloy wheels, interior, exterior accents and badging, and Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode all-terrain all-wheel-drive system.

An all-new Ascent-based pickup would be right in Subaru’s wheelhouse of niche all-wheel-drive models and appeal to tens of thousands of midsize truck buyers. The Ascent platform gives Subaru a truck to compete in the hot midsize pickup segment with the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevy Colorado, and GMC Canyon. It would be the missing piece in the Subaru all-wheel-drive lineup.

We want Subaru to bring back the Baja nameplate for its new midsize truck. Would you buy a new rugged 2023 Subaru Baja Wilderness midsize pickup if the Japanese automaker offered it next year?

You Might Also Like: Why The All-New Wilderness Trim Could Launch Subaru To New Heights

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.

Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.

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Photo credit: main image used with permission from Subtle Solutions @subtlesolutions

Comments

Joe Giaimo (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 4:10AM

Definitely like this, it would be a good mid-sized truck and a V6 would be a great option to choose from, with a manual transmission. Automatic for the 4 cylinder. Options for everyone.

Peter Collins (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 6:53AM

It better have a manual transmission, or it will loose big.
WE WANT MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS!

Tabitha (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 6:57AM

I am loving my 2021 Ascent. I would love a truck from Subaru but if it's going to compete you need to have more towing capacity. My Ascent can pull a boat or a very light camper, but not ready to challenge this vehicle yet on how well it goes.

engao (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 7:37AM

I would love Subaru to do this. I need a replacement for my Forester, but also need a work vehicle that can tow and haul wood. If Subaru put their full thought into it, they could make it very cleverly engineered, like how the Honda Ridgeline, the Rivian with the unmemorable name, and Tesla Cybertruck have unique features designed for the "wilderness" lifestyle owners of Subaru like me.

- Pull out ramp, fold out table, tent integration, can actually tow something (boat, rv, toys)

The biggest reason I haven't bought a replacement yet is tow capacity. I'd rather hitch up a trailer when needed then a bed I rarely use.... unless it's hard covered maybe.

Andrew Saginario (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 8:13AM

Nope. While I believe there is a market for this. The fact it isn't at least a hybrid is going to hinder it long term. Utilizing the big battery pack for camping, etc. Will be the big pull towards the EV trucks. If you don't need 4wd, the Ford Maverick is standard as a hybrid in the $20ks. The 4x4 model doesn't have a hybrid power train. I think Ford missed that overlanding advantage with that decision. But, hey they may change that in a couple years.

Bill Crager (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 8:13AM

Great Idea, Always thought we needed one that size. CVT would be OK "BUT" it needs a low range transfer case. I had auto in my Jeep Cherokee Rock crawler and that was much better than my 4 or 5 speed Jeeps before. The Brat was OK but too cramped for us. I have bought 3 Subaru's in the last 20 years. 2 Foresters and now the Outback. Hope Subaru pays attention to what we say. OL Bill

Douglas Hensley (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 8:32AM

I agree, this is what the family needs. I feel they should lean into the Fuji Heavy Industry and build the best off road, farm, work and play truck available.

MrsMellin (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 8:46AM

In this family, we are all Subaru enthusiasts. One of 5 being a 2010 Outback with 303,000. It’s proof that Subaru is a long lasting brand. Also, keeping in our line up is the 2003 Baja which my husband absolutely loves. Subaru, MAKE THE TRUCK!

James Ramsdell (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 8:51AM

How about somebody making a truck that those of us that don't make 200 grand a year can afford? Is this too much to ask?

Carl Matters (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 12:11PM

In reply to by James Ramsdell (not verified)

They do, but you need to buy the base model.
They have added so much luxury to trucks, that people jus expect to get it al for the same price as the basic model because "its just a truck"

Bruce Louis Manzano (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 9:12AM

Great! The truck needs an easy access to the bed by the back with a slide down window that extends side to side. Or have whole back lay down flat to access the bed. Either will increase the living space for this vehicle.

JakeSnake696 (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 9:57AM

The last thing we need is another stupid sedan with a tray on the back, pretending to be a p/u truck!

Nick (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 10:17AM

I would buy it IF-NO CVT transmission, preferably a MANUAL trans for a truck. Between my wife and myself our 2022 Outback we purchased was Subaru number 9.
I would definitely sell my F150 and buy a Subie truck if one came along making it number 10.

Andy Cline (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 10:19AM

My wife and I have a cross trek and love it, but I would not by a truck with a CVT transmission. Ever. Period.

Robert Mauro (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 10:26AM

Denis said: "It would be manufactured alongside the 2022 Ascent 3-Row family hauler in Lafayette, Indiana."

Folks, as any of my friends here who work at Subaru of Indiana Automotive can confirm, the line already barely fits the Ascent (heck, it can't even fit two back to back, and an Outback MUST go between them). It would take a bunch of retooling at least one of the lines to fit something bigger.

C'mon, Denis, why make things up again?

Brysn (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 10:32AM

Without a doubt I would buy 1. Could take on Tacoma which I really like but they are everywhere. Let's get on it Subaru.

Mike (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 10:40AM

Awesome! Keep it around 30K, NO CVT with a 6MT option and I'm there! I love my '15' Crosstrek but with 1.2 million miles on it already, I might go for a truck in the next few years. Love my Subi!

Richard Melloh (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 10:56AM

I recognize the exact same, optional, aftermarket, "sport" grill on the truck first pictured at the top, that I purchased and installed to our brand new 2013 Crosstrek XV eight and a half years ago. Some things, Subaru, never change. The designers stuck that black bar across the bottom of an older Crosstrek sport grill and called it done. This truck would look good in the original Khaki tan and it would match our 2013 Crosstrek, still going strong. I still like this grill, by the way, having never seen another one installed on the now ubiquitous Crosstrek seen everywhere. The grill makes our Crosstrek a bit unique. If anyone out there cares, I prefer truck tire and wheel assemblies that I can lift by myself and also tires that I don't need take out a second mortgage for, in order to replace. No one is listening.

Diane Johnson (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 10:58AM

Subaru lost me as a long-time customer when I had to trade my Forester in on a Tacoma. Been searching for years for a Baja which still command high prices. DO IT, SUBARU!!!!!

Steven Peterson (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 11:02AM

3 words why Subaru wouldn't build it: continuously variable transmission.

The Ascent already started showing issues with its CVT in 2019. As of yet, they've not fixed them completely, which tells me they'd rather try to software fix them until they're out of warranty than admit the CVT is trash and throw it in the bin. Subaru doesn't have a regular automatic in its portfolio anymore. You can't have a mid-size truck like the Ranger or Tacoma without towing. Both those can You'll be shying away its target market if you tell them it can only tow 3,000 lbs.

John (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 11:13AM

People are wasting money on off road mid-sized trucks, especially powered by any 4 cyl powetrain. If Subaru is smart they will develop a good supercharged V-6 for their market. It will payoff quickly. Off-roaders tend to stay away from the mid-size truck market but might chew on a V-6 Subaru.

Jason Frederick (not verified)    October 29, 2021 - 11:35AM

Remove the Subaru off the tailgate and put the emblem, make it manual, give us some aggressive rims and you got a deal.