Subaru has introduced the 2022 Outback Wilderness in the US, a jacked-up off-road version of its popular wagon/crossover.
The Outback Wilderness comes with a more robust styling, off-road-focused suspension, and tires and utilizes innovative technology throughout.
Slight Suspension Lift for Better Off-Road Abilities
The updated Wilderness flagship comes with a slew of off-road enhancements. The most noticeable is the 0.8-inch suspension lift that results in an overall ground clearance of 9.5 inches. Moreover, the Outback Wilderness runs on Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires for enhanced off-pavement traction, draped around unique black 17-inch wheels.
Thanks to the improved clearance and refreshed front and rear bumpers, the approach angle increases from 18.6 to 20.0 degrees. Furthermore, the break-over angle gets bumped from 19.4 to 21.2 degrees while the departure angle is improved at 23.6 degrees. The wider wheel arches also allow for longer wheel travel.
Other prominent styling upgrades include LED fog lights, hexagonal front grille, black window trim, and an anti-glare, matte black hood decal. Also, the tow hooks and roof rails have anodized copper highlights.
Subaru’s Traditional Symmetrical AWD is Also Present
The Outback Wilderness comes with an X-MODE drive system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes for increased traction on slippery surfaces. The crossover also employs an all-wheel-drive drivetrain with Active Torque Vectoring that provides more power to the inside wheel for better cornering.
Most importantly, the refreshed Outback Wilderness will extract power from a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine. The unit generates a healthy 260 HP and 277 lb-ft of torque and pairs with Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission.
Subaru also changed the final drive ratio from 4.11:1 to 4.44:1, giving the Wilderness version more bottom-end torque at the tires. As a result, the Outback Wilderness can ascend a 40% gradient on gravel.
The Outback Wilderness Receives Some Interior Upgrades As Well
On the inside, the sturdier all-wheel-drive crossover features black StarTex fake leather trim, subtle copper-colored gradient stitching, and anodized copper detailing on the steering wheel, gear shifter, and door panels.
The dashboard incorporates an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touch-screen with EyeSight active protection technology. There is also support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an optional sat-nav, reverse automatic emergency braking system and a power moonroof.
There are Even Some Useful Accessories for Outlanders
Customers can also choose an all-new paint finish called Geyser Blue. Subaru says the brand’s rally legacy influences the unique hue, and we must say, it does look sweet. The Wilderness version is also available in the same colors as the conventional Outback, other than Abyss Blue and Crimson Red.
For all the outlanders out there, Subaru has added a roof rack on top of the Outback Wilderness that can sustain a maximum weight of 700 lbs. That’s enough to load useful accessories, including roof tents. Subaru will also include a variety of official accessories, including skid plates and fuel tanks.
As of now, the carmaker has not disclosed pricing, although we expect full details when it launches later this year.
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