Breaking - Subaru Forester Wilderness Gets a 2.5L Engine Not a 2.4L Turbo
The EPA just revealed the 2022 Subaru Wilderness trim’s engine, and it’s not a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine like the Outback Wilderness. The EPA just revealed it’s a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine just like the regular Forester. The environmental agency let the information slip ahead of the U.S. Forester Wilderness reveal.
Outdoor enthusiasts were hoping for the Outback’s 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb. ft of torque under the hood of the more rugged 2022 Forester Wilderness. But it will be powered by the 182 horsepower 176 lb-ft of torque 2.5-liter Boxer engine.
What is the fuel mileage of the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness?
The EPA says the Forester Wilderness will get an estimated 25/28 city/highway mpg and 26 combined mpg. That’s down from the regular Forester’s 26/33 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg.
Like the Outback Wilderness, the drop in fuel mileage is because the Forester Wilderness will come with extra cladding, skid plates under the transmission and differential, a full-size spare tire, and all-terrain tires.
The 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness has more wind drag, and the all-terrain tires and full-size spare all add weight to the rugged vehicle.
When outdoor enthusiasts load up their new Forester Wilderness with camping gear and put on a rooftop carrier or rooftop tent, the lifted compact SUV will be even heavier and less fuel-efficient. When you factor in the off-pavement use, the amount of fuel used will be even more.
Fans will be disappointed the all-new 2022 Forester Wilderness will come with the same 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Boxer engine as the standard model. It’s not a surprise the Forester Wilderness drops five mpg highway mpg and three mpg combined fuel mileage.
Subaru of America and its retailers asked for the more rugged 2022 Forester Wilderness, and Subaru Corporation delivered. 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. Subaru Corporation delivered but without a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine upgrade.
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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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