The Subaru Forester Takes A Big Dip Before New Refreshed Models Arrive

The 2021 Subaru Forester sales take a plunge before the refreshed 2022 Forester launch. Should compact SUV shoppers wait and when will the new models arrive?

Should compact SUV shoppers wait for the refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester or buy a 2021 Forester? Buyers won't have a choice because Subaru Corporation has stopped producing 2021 models as they switch to the refreshed 2022 models.

Subaru of America announced an October sales drop of a whopping 67.2 percent for the outgoing 2021 Forester. Subaru reports retailers only delivered 4,820 Forester SUVs to customers last month compared with 14,697 in October 2020.

The 2022 models are coming

The considerable drop is because Subaru Corporation is changing its production line at its Gunma, Japan plant for the refreshed 2022 Forester models that should arrive this fall or early winter.

The Forester is still the overall carline leader for Subaru of America, with 137,074 models sold year-to-date. The Outback is the second-best volume model, with 131,526 midsize SUVs sold through the ten months of 2021. The hot Crosstrek is third with 111,658 subcompact SUVs delivered to customers in 2021.

It will be worth the wait for the 2022 Forester

The 2022 Forester gets improved safety technology. The compact SUV comes standard with the latest version of EyeSight driver assist technology that "improves overall performance and operates under a broader range of conditions thanks to a wider field of view and improved control software," says the announcement by Subaru. You can read more about the new technology here.

For 2022, Forester gets a new ladder-type roof rail design offering a higher load capacity (220 lb. vs. 176 lb.) and an 800-lb. static load limit (vs. 700 lb.), allowing safe use of a roof-top tent. New tie-down locations have been integrated into the rails. Inside, two additional utility hooks have been added to the roof of the rear cargo area, and a brighter LED interior dome lamp with off-delay is now standard.

Increased towing capacity

All 2022 Forester trims now offer up to 3,000-lb. towing capacity (vs. 1,500) and features standard trailer stability assist. The additional tow rating will now allow customers with active lifestyles to pull a small boat or camper.

The most significant change for the Forester is a new 2022 Forester Wilderness trim level. You can read the complete report on the new outdoor model here.

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Forester?

For the 2022 model change 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).

Customers wanting a 2022 Subaru Forester should order one now as newly-arriving models are already sold to customers. If you order one this month, it should arrive in early 2022.

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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 USA