2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out for its rugged styling reminiscent of a Jeep rather than a traditional station wagon. It boasted 9.5 inches of ground clearance—an increase of 0.8 inches over the standard Outback—and featured aggressive all-terrain tires with oversized fender protection trim. Its restyled front and rear bumpers improved approach and departure angles, and additional design elements like a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal all added to its rugged look. The Outback Wilderness also introduced a new roof rack able to support a 700-pound static load, perfect for rooftop camping. Inside, the dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, Anodized Copper stitching, and various waterproof materials underscored the vehicle’s utilitarian purpose. Yet, some might have found the dark interior less appealing in hot weather.

Comparatively, the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness also aimed for ruggedness but didn’t quite hit the same note of sophistication. It featured a suspension lift providing 9.2 inches of ground clearance, large protective cladding, and a matte-black hood decal that made it look more like a "raccoon on wheels" based on some opinions. Inside, the Forester was consistent with functionality over form, with hard plastics mixed with soft surfaces, giving a sense of quality construction. Its StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and rubber cargo mat echoed the Outback’s approach to durability. However, the Forester's interior felt somewhat dated and less luxurious than the Outback’s.

Overall, while both vehicles presented a functional interior aimed at rugged use, the Outback Wilderness injected more personality and flair into its design, appealing to those who favored both style and functionality.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This powertrain provided decent performance for a vehicle weighing 3,896 pounds and offered a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Despite its strong engine, the Outback's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was a weak point, as it wasn’t as engaging as a dual-clutch automatic. The Outback Wilderness was efficient, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined, although real-world testing showed an average of 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. Off-road, the Outback Wilderness excelled thanks to its all-terrain Yokohama Geolandar tires, 9.5 inches of clearance, and a dual-function X-Mode traction system. However, on pavement, its performance felt confined by its all-terrain setup.

On the other side, the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness retained the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine from previous models, offering 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It included a CVT with eight programmed ratios and all-wheel drive, providing a 25% increase in initial torque supply in this model. Although the Forester's engine felt adequate near sea level, it lagged at higher altitudes where thinner air impacted its performance, highlighting the absence of a turbocharger. The Forester Wilderness had an EPA rating of 26 mpg combined, closely matched by real-world testing at 25.9 mpg. The Forester excelled off-road thanks to a re-tuned suspension, longer springs and shocks, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires. Although its on-road performance was satisfactory, handling bumps and breaks in the pavement with ease, the Forester lacked the engaging acceleration found in turbocharged engines.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness offered spaciousness and practicality. Its dark gray StarTex upholstery was water-repellent, but not breathable, leading to discomfort in hot weather. The front provided ample comfort with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, both heated. In the rear, the seats were roomy enough for two adults or three children, equipped with air vents and USB ports, although the StarTex material could be equally uncomfortable in heat. The Outback Wilderness’s cargo space measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanded to 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, offering substantial storage. The Outback also featured a more robust roof rack capable of a 700-pound static load.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness emphasized ease of entry and functionality. The Forester's StarTex upholstery was similarly water-resistant but lacked breathability, making ventilation necessary for future models. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, suitable for a three-person roof tent. Comfort levels in the Forester were high, with a tall seating position providing an excellent view, rear AC vents, and quick-charge ports. Storage in the Forester was pragmatic, although it lacked additional compartments like a dashboard shelf. Cargo space was slightly less than the Outback, with 28.9 cubic feet without the sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, growing to 74.2 cubes overall or 69.1 cubes with the sunroof. The Forester also included a full-size spare under the cargo floor.

While both vehicles offered practical and functional interiors geared towards rugged use, the Outback Wilderness provided more cargo space and a slightly better arrangement for front-seat storage.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the dashboard. It included physical knobs for basic controls but relied heavily on touchscreen interaction, which may not have been as intuitive for all users, especially due to the non-natural voice recognition system. Integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior voice assistant capabilities. The model notably missed a premium sound system unless upgraded to the Limited XT and Touring XT trims, which had a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system. The PIN code entry system was a practical feature for adventurers, enabling keyless access after outdoor activities.

For the 2022 Subaru Forester, even the base trim offered a 6.5-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims, including Wilderness, featured an 8-inch screen with options for navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system, which delivered excellent audio quality. The Forester’s 180-degree forward-view camera was beneficial for off-roading. Although the voice recognition system was inconsistent, features like PIN Code Access were useful for outdoor enthusiasts.

While both vehicles were equipped with modern technological conveniences, the Forester Wilderness had a slight edge with its broader availability of advanced features across more trim levels.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness maintained the efficacy of Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. EyeSight offered a Level 2 ADAS, making the Outback safer by preserving these features was critical, as aftermarket modifications could impair their functionality. Additionally, the Outback included steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. However, it lacked the DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology available in higher trims. The Outback had impressive safety records, earning the "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 system, with an expanded field of vision for better accuracy and smoother operation. New features included Automatic Emergency Steering, which worked under 50 mph to add stability during evasive maneuvers. EyeSight 4.0's ADAS was more confident and reliable, suffering from fewer false warnings. The Forester also included a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Touring trim featured DriverFocus, which monitored for drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA and was likely to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS.

Both vehicles offered comprehensive safety features, but the Forester Wilderness benefited from the newer EyeSight 4.0 system and additional stability features.