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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.

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

Comments

Pj (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 12:44AM

Now that would be a big seller. And yes I would buy one. Next to Honda & Toyota Subaru is as good.if not better

Robert (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 2:37AM

Yawn.... Another boring pickup truck. The pickup truck is about as cool as white tennis shoes. EV's are the future, not more gas guzzlers that are used as commuter cars. Lose some weight America, then you can fit into a normal vehicle.

Robert (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 4:41AM

I am not into Subaru very much. But I love this Truck render. Had a Tacoma TRD Sport, it was beautiful and underwhelming. #SubaruTruck this would be amazing. I would seriously consider buying if the power was in the 280+ hp/tq range. If it was turbo, and looks like the silver render; I would be a first time Sub owner. #Subaru, would be making a new sales segment.
Excellent render. I hope Subaru US is paying attention.

F Steve Study (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 9:30AM

I simply love my Subaru’s, my first was a 1988 Forester and now I’m still driving my 2007 Impreza. Have asked my dealership in Hanover, Pa. several times when might Subaru come to their sense’s and come out with a midsize truck. I almost bought the new Ranger in 2019, however it fell short of my expectations, still does. I would buy a Subaru truck probably sight unseen, merely on their reputation alone. Hopefully my current Subie will last till the day comes, we can only wish.

Gman (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 9:46AM

Unfortunately off road is not what these newer vehicles are....put them in sand and they can't move at all....with all the new electronic systems, they become useless...buy at least a couple of years old if you want something truely off road.

Bryan (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 9:54AM

Subaru, are you going to falsely advertise towing capacity for this truck just like with the Ascent and Outback? Tell people it can tow a lot, but hide in the owner's manual that the actual limit is 1000lbs unless you have trailer brakes?

Greg (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 11:56AM

Subarus are junk and this truck will be no different. Trucks never belonged having a 4 cylinder in any capacity.

Susan (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 1:55PM

I bought the first year Baja(2003) and it's been loved to death close anyway and cried when they weren't making them any more.
I would buy this one today if it was here!!!!!

Juan Delgado (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 10:41PM

Would need to be a 6cyl low boost turbo with a properly geared A/T transmission and able to tow .. " Subaru you need to lead not Follow"

Pauls Nacinovich (not verified)    October 31, 2021 - 10:35PM

Ok im sold! When can i trade in my 2020 crosstrek
For the wilderness! I was wonderjbg wgen they were going to take advantage of the Pickup craze...

Kes (not verified)    November 1, 2021 - 4:49AM

Curse you. I was so excited. Thought it was true news. I've been shopping for the perfect replacement to my fleet for over a year. Long story. But in the end the ideal was I miss my dually diesel crew 1 ton. I miss my performance car and I also miss my prius V trim 5. I am without a car now going crazy. Ideal . I'd love an EV. A plug in hybrid is fine. I want room. So much to say. Sorry I'd boat you all. Short version. Dang I'd order in a heartbeat. I'd like the engine described but would also love the EV or plug in scenario as well.

Dave Morrow (not verified)    November 1, 2021 - 4:09PM

Between my wife and I, we have owned 7 Subarus. I loved my 1979 Brat (my second Subie) that performed well in snow and mud. For the new Brat truck, if the suspension is rugged and it had a low range, this vehicle could be the bomb. I would dump my Ram 1500 in a heartbeat. Having a turbo-charged engine is huge for offroading at altitude. Our naturally aspirated Jeep Wrangler really struggles above 8,000 feet. The Subaru turbo (like the new Bronco) takes care of that. The engine should be tuned for torque more than horsepower. For both towing and offroading, low end grunt is what gets the job done. I would forgo a lot of fancy electronics for skid plates and a rugged suspension that can handle a little rock crawling. A full 6' bed would be nice too.

Fanus Beytell (not verified)    November 4, 2021 - 7:16AM

Loyal Subaru fan since 2010 till up to date driving a Outback Subaru and a fleet of 10 Commercial Ford bakkies. Interest in personal use Subaru Wilderness truck, owner of a farm in the Baviaanskloof South Africa that will be the test of times for a Subaru Wilderness truck. We would like to change my Ford Fleet to Subaru.

Lahbmb (not verified)    November 4, 2021 - 4:38PM

I really like the first render in dark grey. The blue Subie Truck render doesn't appeal to me bc it has some 1st Honda Ridgeline vibes and the wheel arches are too small and low to appeal to the American market.

Whatever Subaru decides to do I sincerely hope they do not put that junk CVT in it. I've replaced many, many CVTs while I was at Subaru. I'd say that probably 75% of the CVTs I replaced the vehicle had a 2" receiver tow hitch (i.e. when people were towing even moderate loads the CVTs seemed to fail faster).

Karl D. Conley (not verified)    December 9, 2021 - 8:26PM

Please build the truck. Use all the tech you use in Outback. I don’t really need off-road, but a snow-monster would be great. I read that some do not want the CVT. Don’t know why. And it is a truck. I don’t really need 4 doors.

Karl D. Conley (not verified)    December 24, 2021 - 11:31AM

In reply to by Karl D. Conley (not verified)

Yes. I looked at the renderings again. An Outback/Ascent based light pickup with all wheel drive, constant velocity transmission, only two doors, a full sized or nearly full size bed and all the electronics (GPS, radar speed control, eyesight, latest WiFi/Bluetooth… That would be a truck I would trade a kid for. Now, things not to do: No sun or moon or pigeon roof. No paddle shifting or other”performance” gimmick. No themed special edition models based on motorcycles, cartoon movie characters, fictional farms or designers.
You may add features from the competition like built-in tool boxes in the bedsides, an assisting step and hand-hold for climbing up into the bed. Plenty of in-bed tie downs. Maybe a factory bed cover? Bed illumination lights controlled by a switch in the bed area. 12 volt and maybe an inverter supplied 110vac receptacles in the bed. 12 volt accessory power for a receiver hitch mounted winch. A receiver hitch to mount and carry the small hitch in a position to pull stuff up into the bed.

Boy Mom (not verified)    January 21, 2022 - 6:30PM

I’d love this as a “mom” truck. I need a comfortable ride to haul bikes, surfboards, jet ski’s and fishing/camping gear. Not all women need minivans or fancy SUV’s.

M.D.Kanzaki (not verified)    February 11, 2022 - 11:50AM

This isn't truly interesting.I bet they gonna put cvt transmission. They must be put 6-10 speed or manual transmission.

J Blehschmidt (not verified)    April 27, 2022 - 11:36AM

Perhaps all of us overlook the fact that the US Govt. is mandating new and more stringent mileage restraints on all vehicles available to Americans. This Truck could fit the bill for all of us who want an SUV with a small bed. 300 HP would do it but the torque needs to come from a flat six say around 4.3 liters and a transfer case with selectable gearing options. Design this truck to be tough and rugged and forget the "big" screens and nonsense options. Just sayin.

Charles D. McBride (not verified)    April 29, 2022 - 4:46PM

Bought our first Pooparu Crosstrek 3 years ago and LOVE IT!!! I'd buy this truck in a heartbeat, IF it was a hybrid.

Grace Potter (not verified)    May 16, 2022 - 11:35PM

My first Subaru was a Baja 2003. I wanted a pick-up and a vehicle that was low enough to the ground to get my Grandmother in and out easily. I traded in a very beloved Toyota Tacoma. My Baja met all my needs and I drove it until a fender bender in 2014 declared it totaled. I wished I had fought to get it repaired and kept it. I really loved my Baja!
I have driven two more Subaru’s. I had a Legacy for a couple years, but when the Ascent came out, I shopped around for a while to find the perfect model for me. I have had my Ascent for three years, but am very intrigued with the possibilities of it turned into a truck! I am definitely looking for it!

DIANE ATKINSON (not verified)    February 18, 2023 - 8:33PM

I would buy a new Subaru Truck. I've been waiting. I wonder what the towing capacity would be. The agent can pull at least 6,000 lbs. Would this little guy at least pull this much? I will buy one now. Thank you