Why You Can Only Buy The New Subaru Outback Wilderness In North America

The all-new rugged 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness is exclusively for North America. Subaru Corporation made it official in their recent press release in the launch of the more rugged wagon. The Outback Wilderness will not be built in Japan but is exclusively manufactured at the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana.

Why is the Outback Wilderness only sold in North America?

Torque News recently reported in an interview with Automotive News (by subscription), Subaru Corporation CEO Tomomi Nakamura says the automaker will put most of its focus on the U.S., where they sell approximately 66 percent of its all-wheel-drive cars.

Subaru of America and its retailers asked for the more rugged Outback wilderness, and Subaru Corporation delivered. A report from WardsAuto says retailers saw that owners were modifying their vehicles for off-road use and asked the Camden, N.J. automaker to offer a more rugged model from the factory.

Part of the problem was the new car warranty was being voided by the aftermarket parts and do-it-yourself Overlanding projects. Now, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness will have factory-backed modifications that include full warranty coverage and won’t ruin the vehicles’ EyeSight driving assistance technology calibration.

What factory modifications will the Outback Wilderness include?

The adventure-ready upgrades include an advanced dual function X-Mode, elevated 9.5-inch ground clearance, standard front skid plate, and an upgraded suspension. The rugged model also comes standard with 17-inch Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires and a full-size spare tire.

The Outback Wilderness will handle more challenging trails with a nearly one-inch increase in ground clearance over the standard model’s 8.7-inches. Subaru says the suspension is tuned for improved stability, and the front and rear shock absorbers and springs were increased in length to provide additional ground clearance and suspension travel.

Approach angles on the more rugged model have been extended from 18.6 degrees to 20.0, ramp break-over angle shifts from 19.4 degrees to 21.2 degrees, and the departure angle increases from 21.7 degrees to 23.6 degrees.

Since its launch last year, customers in the U.S. and Canada are also the only markets to get the Outback 2.4-liter turbocharged XT models. The Outback XT is also built at the U.S. Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana.

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness?

Subaru of America will announce pricing for the 2022 Outback Wilderness closer to retailer launch.

When is the Outback Wilderness on sale?

Subaru did not reveal when the 2022 Outback Wilderness will hit retailer showrooms. Look for the new rugged model to be available for U.S. customers this summer.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness trim is uniquely built for Subaru of America and Subaru Canada customers only. The all-new, more rugged models made in the U.S. stay in North America.

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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