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Just ahead of the new 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness reveal, the EPA leaked that the rugged, compact SUV will be powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter Boxer engine just like the standard model.

Forester fans who wanted the same 2.4-liter turbocharged engine under the hood of the 2022 Outback Wilderness are disappointed. At meetings earlier this year, Patrick Wergin, chairman of the Subaru National Retailer Advisory Board, told Subaru retailers that the new Wilderness models would feature a "rugged appearance package and better tires for off-road pursuits." He never mentioned the engine.

The 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine powers the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, but why not the 2022 Forester Wilderness? What the new Forester needed is a turbocharged engine to be wild enough for U.S. customers. The 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated powerplant powers all 2022 Forester trim levels.

Wergin went on to say, "We're hoping the Wilderness edition will attract consumers that are active lifestyle families and that do like to go out and maybe do a little bit more off-roading. We're excited about the opportunity to have this vehicle capture new clients in the segment."

Like the Outback Wilderness, the new 2022 Forester is going to have additional capabilities "and the look of off-roading to a greater degree than we have right now," said Wally Sommer, president of Sommer's Subaru in Mequon, Wisconsin. "It does fit the Subaru character perfectly."

There are 78 reasons why the Subaru Forester Wilderness isn't wild enough

Fans were hoping for more than just a "look of off-roading" and wanted a rugged vehicle that could carry additional gear for Overlanding and getting further away from civilization. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine has 78 more horsepower than Forester's 182 horsepower 2.5-liter engine and would have made a big difference.

If the 2022 Forester Wilderness would be the best model Subaru could have offered, it needed the 2.4-liter engine. When outdoor enthusiasts load up their new Forester Wilderness with camping gear and put on a rooftop carrier or rooftop tent, the lifted and heavier compact SUV will need more power to get up the high mountain pass.

For the new 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness rugged trim to be successful with an active generation, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is needed. There's no doubt the Forester wilderness will sell well, but it could have wildly successful and a grand slam home run.

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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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