New Subaru Forester Joins Wilderness Sub-Brand Next - Two Questions Remain
Subaru of America is introducing a family of rugged, off-pavement Wilderness-badged Subaru SUVs. The 2022 Outback Wilderness just made its debut, and next is the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness compact SUV. We know it will have an advanced dual function X-Mode, elevated 9.5-inch ground clearance, standard front and rear skid plates, and an upgraded suspension.
The Forester Wilderness will wear 17-inch Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires and come with a full-size spare tire. The new Forester will also feature a modified Lineartronic CVT automatic (Continuously Variable Transmission) and an upgraded rear differential with a final drive ratio of 4.44:1.
photo credit: LP Aventure
Will the Forester Wilderness have a turbocharged engine?
What we don't know is what engine will power the all-new adventure-ready 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness trim. The Outback comes with the 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine upgrade. But Outback already had the XT trim. The Forester only comes with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder powerplant.
Subaru recently introduced the Japan-spec Forester with a new 1.8-liter turbocharged engine but only has 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. So the 1.8-liter powerplant is not a likely choice.
photo credit: LP Aventure
Subaru of America will likely ask its parent company, Subaru Corporation, for a new 2022 Forester Wilderness with a turbocharged engine. Subaru is upgrading all its models with direct-injection turbocharged (DIT) Boxer engines, and the Forester is the next model in the lineup to get one.
The only logical engine would be the proven FA24 2.4-liter turbocharged engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The additional power would make the new Forester Wilderness a more capable off-road-ready vehicle for outdoor enthusiasts.
How much can the Forester tow?
The Forester Wilderness will be heavier than the standard model and will need an engine with more power to carry extra outdoor gear and cargo. The second question is will Forester Wilderness get increased towing capacity? The current model tows 1,500 pounds, while the Outback can tow up to 3,500 lbs. The 2.4-liter engine would also increase Forester's tow rating for those wanting to tow a boat or camper.
The all-new 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness Edition is expected to make its U.S. reveal later this spring or summer. The two questions that remain now are will the adventure-ready Forester Wilderness have a turbocharged engine, and will Subaru increase the towing capacity? 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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Photo credit: LP Aventure